Does the camper to coach ratio matter? What is Future 500’s ratio – especially given that we have 50 college coaches at each camp? We are often asked about our coach-to-camper ratio, with many parents interested in what their son or daughters’ experience would be if they attended one of Future 500’s ID camps. This is only natural, as with any large scale ID camp (with over 50 college coaches), parents may be curious as to whether their son or daughter will be seen by all of the college coaches in attendance. Parents want to know if the college ID camp is worth it. One of the key ways that parents evaluate the value of a camp is to determine whether or not their child will attain sufficient exposure to the coaches in attendance – ultimately leading to a desirable recruiting outcome. While there are many important factors in determining whether or not an aspiring college player will be seen by the college coaches in attendance, including scheduling, camp organization and company integrity, the actual ratio of college coaches to campers is important to consider as well.
‘a big camp with a small camp feel’
We like to describe our ID camps as ‘big camps with a small camp feel’. This description (which a parent generously came up with a few years ago) is the best way to picture your son or daughter’s time at one of our camps – they will be seen by every coach in attendance despite there being 50. In fact, every 2022 summer ID Camp will have a 3:1 (or less) camper to college coach ratio. This means for every 3 campers, there will be a college coach. In fact, there are a number of our summer ID camps that will have a 2:1 ratio. This, in addition to the meticulous way that we schedule and organize 11v11 games, means that every player will be seen by every DI, DII and DIII coach multiple times over the course of each 2-day ID camp.
‘3:1, Camper to Coach Ratio, or better’
There are a number of other ways in which we organize the event to create the ‘small camp feel’, and utilize the great coach to camper ratio to create even more exposure to college coaches. These include campers receiving individual attention, players will get to know college coaches through “Ask A Coach” Q&A and Tactical Scouting Sessions, where they will interact directly with coaches, further strengthening identification and exposure opportunities. Our camps also feature Live Recruiting Sessions where a knowledgeable college coach will talk with players LIVE during a match to help them see exactly what college coaches are looking for when they are recruiting. The schedule, the coach to camper ratio, the 11v11 games and the sessions described above all contribute to an experience that parents, players and coaches continue to rave about every year and one that helps aspiring college players get recruited, like no other.
‘one that helps aspiring college players get recruited, like no other’
If you would like to take advantage of the camper to coach ratio, and sign up to get identified this summer – be sure to register here. Remaining spots are limited.
Having a quality soccer recruiting video can prove quite helpful during the recruiting process. College coaches generally don’t have the time it takes to see hundreds of soccer recruits in person. Video can be a helpful first step in getting the attention of a college coach. A well-done video and effective distribution strategy can be an important step in opening the door of the recruiting process.
To make a great highlight video you need a reasonably good camera and a camera stand (for stability). Depending on the quality of your phone you could also use that, if you are wanting to save money. For the best quality you can purchase a high quality camera such as this one, allowing coaches to see you more clearly in the footage. Those on a budget can spend a little bit less to get a camera of decent quality such as this one, or this one, both will be adequate enough to still make a high quality video. In addition to a camera, it is very important that you stabilize the camera or recording device with a stand. Choppy footage will turn a coach off. For a camera, buy this camera stand. If you are wanting to save money and use your high end phone, purchase this cheap phone stand to ensure that you are not holding your phone with your hand while recording, making the video choppy and low quality. Don’t skimp on quality, it could mean the difference between a successful recruiting outcome and an unsuccessful one. In addition, ensure that you have a memory card to store your video, such as the one below. Future 500 regularly uses these devices at camp to film players, and they come highly recommended.
For highlight video tips, please see below. This information we believe is important in helping to both make and effectively utilize video in the recruiting process.
Keep it Brief! Send 5-8 minutes of video highlights of your play. Coaches don’t have time to watch more than video than that. If for some reason they want more, they will contact you and request it. After reviewing the video, the coach may decide at this point if he is going to or not going to send staff to see you live.
Video tape multiple games. Preferably from an elevated position and then clip the video down to include 5 seconds before and 5 seconds after you touch the ball. Do this until you have 5-8 minutes of video.
Do not send full games unless a coach requests it. Coaches usually do not have the time or desire to look at entire matches.
Make sure the video is clearly labeled with your name, address, phone number, school name, graduation year, jersey number, jersey color, email address and possibly your SAT/ACT scores, and GPA. Include this information at the beginning of the video. Use editing software to highlight yourself in the film during each clip. Most common are a circle or an arrow pointing directly at you for 1-2 seconds immediately before each clip.
Follow up! Sending a soccer recruiting video to a coach and then expecting a phone call to get recruited isn’t realistic. You need to follow up with the coach via email or phone and ask if they received and watched the video and what the next step might be in the recruiting process.
Keep It Simple! There’s no need for fancy background music, special effects or special graphics.
Quality Matters. If at all possible, try and use a quality video camera on a wide enough angle with a tripod, so the camera is steady! High Definition cameras are preferred and are relatively inexpensive.
Post your video online. It’s easy to post your soccer recruiting video on YouTube or Vimeo and then email the link along with your athletic resume to colleges of interest. There is no need to send a DVD through the mail.
Below are examples of highlight and soccer recruiting videos filmed at Future 500 ID Camps:
Following these suggestions will greatly increase the odds of coaches watching and potentially liking your soccer recruiting video. Again, coaches are very busy people so make sure to follow up with them in a week or two!
About the Author:
Future 500 ID Camp provides an unparalleled soccer recruiting opportunity for high school boys and girls, with over 75 top NCAA Division 1, 2 and 3 universities in attendance. Future 500’s innovative blend of on-field matches and off-field educational seminars provide an exceptional opportunity to Get Recruited while Getting Educated. Be a part of the best College ID Camps in America. Future 500 ID Camps – Your College future Starts Here! Learn More.
Future 500 ID Camp offers an exciting, complimentary On Demand video service through our video partners, Cross Street Sports. Any of the multitude of college coaches that attended our camps, as well as any college coaches that did not attend, can receive video directly from Future 500 ID Camps of all 11v11 matches that occurred during each week.
So how can campers who attended Future 500 ID Camps take advantage of the On Demand Feature to help them get recruited?
Let’s review it in 5 Easy Steps:
Step 1: Make a list of colleges and coaches that you would like to play for. The list can include both colleges that did and did not attend a Future 500 ID Camp.
Step 2: Complete the soccer recruiting questionnaire for each of the colleges you are interested in playing for so they know you are legitimately interested..
Step 3: Follow up with a personal email to those college coaches stating your sincere interest and list actual reasons why you like their college. Tell these coaches that there is video of you from Future 500 ID Camps. Tell them your camp pinnie #, camp team name, and the dates you attended camp and include your contact information. Lastly, tell each college coach to email benji@future500idcamps.com with a request to view the 11v11 HD video.
Step 4: Follow up with the college coach in 5 business days to see if they successfully requested and received the 11v11 video footage and request feedback on their interest level.
Step 5: Ask the college coach what the next steps are to be recruited to their college.
Please Note: There is no additional cost to campers to take advantage of this feature. So if you haven’t gotten started yet, start now. Many colleges are still recruiting.
About Future 500 ID Camps:
Future 500 ID Camps, powered by Adidas, provide an unparalleled soccer recruiting opportunity, with over 75 top NCAA Division 1, 2 and 3 universities in attendance. Future 500’s innovative blend of on-field matches and off-field educational seminars provide an exceptional opportunity to Get Recruited while Getting Educated.
Soccer Camp Orlando. With so many soccer camps available; how do you select a summer college soccer ID camp that truly is the highest quality and the best value? Based on our many years of experience in the ID Camp Industry, Future 500 ID Camps submit 8 critical factors to consider when choosing an Elite Soccer ID Camp!
Factor 1: How many matches are right for a college soccer ID camp?
It’s important to get the balance right! Play too many games and you will get worn out and not show well. Yet, if you don’t play enough, a bad stretch of play could limit your chances to get identified.
Future 500 ID Camps has close to 20 years of soccer camp experience. We offer you the correct blend of instructional time, 8v8 and 11v11 match-play. This enables college coaches to see you in different formats which improves your chances of getting identified properly.
Factor 2: How many of the college coaches at camp will actually see you play?
Don’t just look at the number of colleges attending. Find out how many of the college attending will actually see you play! Are all the colleges coming to campus or are they saying some will view by livestream? If the fields are too spread out, or the college coach is only there for one day (which happens at many camps), how many colleges will actually see you play?
At Future 500 ID Camps, you are guaranteed Maximum Exposure. Our comprehensive coaching matrix allows players to seen by the best collection of college coaches in the country – often multiple times. How? Our facilities are all close together and we give every college coach and camper a highly detailed and tightly controlled schedule they must follow.
Beware of camps that make promises they can’t keep. Hint – If they say they have a 100% guarantee – buyer beware; exactly how does that work?
Did you know that some camps promising huge numbers of college coaches only have them come in for one day of your four day camp? Buyer Beware!
Factor 3: Do your homework ahead of time!
Count how many colleges the camp lists on their website. Does their website list as many as advertised? Which college coach is actually coming from each college? What makes the guarantee (if offered) possible? Ask other families what their experience was at that camp. If you have access to college coaches (through club soccer or recruiting) ask what they know about the camp? How often is the list of colleges revised online if a college cancels? Weekly, monthly, or not at all (not at all is more common than you think)?
At Future 500 ID Camps, our lists of colleges are updated weekly beginning February 1. We are happy to provide contact information for college coaches that have worked Future 500 if you want to check references — or you can hear what college coaches say about Future 500 here. We only advertise a college after they have completed an agreement committing to attend Adidas Future 500.
FACTOR 4: WHAT IS THE STAFF/COACH TO CAMPER RATIO?
Is the ratio low enough to ensure quality attention from the coaches and staff attending the camp? Low ratios are important to help ensure individual development and a quality experience.
At Future 500 ID Camps, we provide a 10:1 camper to staff ratio, providing a small camp feel in a big camp setting.
FACTOR 5: HOW MANY CAMPS DO THEY RUN EVERY YEAR?
It may seem appealing if a camp company has a wide array of camps, but if they are running several camps a month throughout the year it may affect the quality of the camps. Running a top-notch college soccer ID camp requires months of preparation and planning; college coaches must be hired, facilities reserved, and websites maintained. History and longevity are often better indicators of a good camp than quantity.
Future 500 began back in 1999 under the name of T3 Soccer. It has withstood the test of time, maintaining its status as the best college soccer ID camp in an industry in which new camps pop up overnight. Over the years, Future 500 has developed a reputation based on high-quality service and a dedication to excellence. See what college coaches who have worked Future 500 over the years say about their experience.
Factor 6: Living Arrangements?
Where will campers stay? Are the dorms air-conditioned? Are the dorms and dining halls close to the fields? Is there ample supervision and is camp held in a safe location? Is the food of high quality, ample and appropriate for athletes training multiple times per day?
At Future 500 ID Camps, the dorms are air-conditioned and all fields are within walking distance. There is ample supervision as our staff to camper ratio is 7:1 and the dining halls are open for 2 hours per meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Factor 7: Educational Seminar Quality?
How many educational seminars? What is the content? How in-depth do the educational seminars go? What are the qualifications and knowledge base of the people conducting the seminars?
At Future 500 ID Camps, we only use top professionals for our industry leading Adidas Student-Athlete Success Seminars as we educate campers through our innovative seminars and workshops.
Factor 8: are testimonials and reviews available?
Talk to others who have attended the specific college soccer ID camp in the past to get their opinions. Look to see if the website lists a multitude of testimonials from different sources. What do parents have to say about camp? Players? Coaches?
Choose wisely!
The choice of a College ID Camp is an important one. Don’t be bashful when asking questions. Doing your research will go a long way in helping to ensure that you receive the EXPERIENCE and VALUE you are looking for.
Soccer Camp Orlando
Future 500 ID Camps is the industry-leader in the U.S. for both showcasing and educating student-athletes looking to play soccer at top colleges and universities throughout the United States. Future 500 ID Camps provide an unparalleled soccer recruiting opportunity, with over 75 of the top NCAA Division 1, 2 and 3 universities in attendance. Future 500’s innovative blend of on-field matches and off-field educational seminars provide an exceptional opportunity to get recruited by top colleges and universities, while getting educated on many important aspects of the college experience.
A Soccer Recruiting Resource to Converting the New SAT
The New SAT Score Converter was just recently released last month by CollegeBoard. Stated simply, this tool is designed for all prospective students (including soccer recruits) to use and compare scores on the new SAT, the old SAT, and the ACT.
Will Colleges & Universities accept the New or Old SAT?
According to the CollegeBoard website, over the next few years “most colleges will accept both new and old SAT scores. They will also be converting scores so they can make fair admission decisions no matter which SAT scores students submit.”
How do I use the SAT Score Converter?
When you are ready just click here and scroll down to the bottom of the page to utilize the online version of the SAT Score Converter. You can convert your old SAT, your new SAT and even your ACT.
To learn more about the SAT Converter, Click Here.
To learn more about Future 500 ID Camps for Soccer Recruits; Click Here.
There are 2 primary reasons why Future 500 ID Camps don’t offer soccer camp evaluations. First, they are rarely accurate enough. Second, most top college coaches do not trust them.
Soccer Camp Evaluations Are Not Accurate/Detailed Enough
It is difficult if not impossible to capture all the nuances (social, emotional, psychological, technical, tactical, athletic) that a quality evaluation should capture in a camp environment.
While a college coach will be able to determine if a player is someone they want to recruit after watching them in 1 or 2 matches, it takes a college coach a great deal more time to learn all aspects of a player’s game, personality and other intangibles. College coaches are well aware of this and as a result, don’t value/utilize camp evaluations.
College Coaches Don’t Trust Soccer Camp Evaluations
College coaches know that most camp owners/directors tell coaches only to write positive evaluations to avoid having to deal with parents who are unhappy because their son or daughter received an average or negative evaluation. College coaches are well aware of this and rarely trust the evaluations — they know they are overinflated.
As a result, when we advise families on the college search and recruiting process, we have begun to advise families NOT to send CAMP evaluations to college coaches. It is fine to send an evaluation from your club soccer coach as they have been with the player for a much longer period of time — but it is not helpful to send an evaluation from a camp because they are not accurate – college coaches know it — and thus they have no credibility.
Send a soccer highlight video instead!
Instead of sending soccer camp evaluations, players should send short edited videos (approximately 4-6 minutes in length) so the college coach can make their own assessment. Adidas Future 500 ID Camps have a company at each camp that takes video of all 11 v 11 matches at camp and makes it available for purchase after camp (or see our blog on how to make your own recruiting video).
We can not emphasize strongly enough the value of high-quality edited video as an effective means to help players get recruited by colleges. While it takes some time to acquire and edit video, we believe it is well worth the time and effort.