Why Printable Worksheets Make Family Recruiting Conversations Better
Recruiting can trigger tension at home when parents feel anxious about deadlines and money while student-athletes feel pressured or overwhelmed. Having a structured, neutral worksheet on the kitchen table changes the dynamic immediately: the numbers and prompts don’t make the decision for you—they make the family conversation better.
Even better, on campus visits (Chapter 17) and before final decisions (Chapter 18), the parent and student-athlete can each print their own copy of the Scorecard, fill it out independently, and then compare answers.
Complete Directory of All 15 Worksheets in the 18-Page Companion Workbook
| Worksheet | Title | What It Helps Your Family Do |
|---|---|---|
| Worksheet 1 Ch. 1 |
Recruiting Goals | Start with the athlete’s goals, not assumptions about a school logo. Prompts: Athlete’s own college-athletics goal, what matters most about college, dream locations/settings, must-have academic interests, what the athlete is willing to be flexible about, what parents should help with, and what the athlete will own. |
| Worksheet 2 Ch. 2 |
Athlete Self-Assessment | Use evidence and realistic comparison; revisit every season. Prompts: Sport/event/position, best verified marks or stats, recent improvement trend, competitive strengths, skills to improve, GPA/academic strengths, programs at a realistic level, and next development goal. |
| Worksheet 3 Ch. 4 |
School Priorities (Must Have / Important / Flexible) | Distinguish genuine non-negotiables from preferences that might filter out great schools too early. Prompts: MUST HAVE non-negotiables, IMPORTANT strong preferences, FLEXIBLE items open to change, and what would make your family reconsider. |
| Worksheet 4 Ch. 4 |
School List Builder (3-Bucket Table) | Structured multi-row tracker to organize Dream Schools, Strong Fits, and Explore Further programs across Athletic Fit, Academic Fit, and Next Step. |
| Worksheet 5 Ch. 6 |
Recruiting Profile Builder | Build a one-page snapshot that passes the 10-Second Coach Test: Name/Grad Year, High School/Club, Sport/Event/Position, Best Marks/Results/Stats, Recent Accomplishment, GPA/Academic Interests, Why This Particular School, and Video/Profile Link. |
| Worksheet 6 Ch. 7 |
Recruiting Video Checklist | Pre-send audit: Name and graduation year visible up front, best footage near the beginning, athlete easy to identify, representative game/performance context, accurate result info, working public-view link, and tested on a mobile phone. |
| Worksheet 7 Ch. 8–10 |
Coach Contact Tracker | Log every school, coach name & email, last contact date, new info shared, and next action so no conversation falls through the cracks. |
| Worksheet 8 Ch. 10 |
Recruiting Update Calendar | Plan purposeful follow-ups around real milestones: Date, What Changed (new PR, video, honor, schedule), Which Schools/Coaches Should Hear, and Next Message. |
| Worksheet 9 Ch. 11 |
Camp & Showcase Decision Sheet | Treat events as investments, not guaranteed exposure: Which target coaches will attend, event format, athlete’s objective, total cost (registration + travel + hotel + meals), pre-event coach outreach plan, and follow-up plan. |
| Worksheet 10 Ch. 16 |
Coach Conversation Questions | 16 essential questions organized into a printable call/visit sheet: Where do you see me on the roster, how will you help me develop, how are injuries handled, how do athletes manage demanding majors, team culture, exact offer details, and timeline. |
| Worksheet 11 Ch. 5 & 13 |
Team Culture Scorecard | Evaluate the people, not just the facilities: How teammates support each other, coach communication and respect, treatment of injured athletes, honest answers from current players, sense of belonging, and the Ordinary Tuesday test. |
| Worksheet 12 Ch. 17 |
Campus Visit Scorecard | Score 1–5 immediately after each visit (before memories blur together) across Coaching Connection, Team Culture, Academic Program, Housing/Campus Life, Training/Support Facilities, Location/Travel, and 'Would I choose this school without sport?' |
| Worksheet 13 Ch. 15 |
True Cost Comparison (School A vs. B vs. C) | Side-by-side financial worksheet comparing Published Tuition/Fees, Housing/Meals, Athletic Aid, Academic/Merit Aid, Need-Based Grants, Other Scholarships, Travel/Personal Costs, and Estimated Annual Out-of-Pocket Family Cost. |
| Worksheet 14 Ch. 18 & 20 |
Final Decision Scorecard | Let the athlete weight what matters most across Athletic Opportunity, Coach/Development, Team Culture, Academics/Career Path, True Family Cost, Campus/Location, Medical/Wellness Support, and Gut Feeling. |
| Worksheet 15 Ch. 20 |
30-Day Recruiting Action Plan + 5 Email Starters | 4-week manageable action plan (Week 1 to Week 4) plus the 2-page Copy-and-Paste Coach Email Starters kit (First Contact, Meaningful Update, Upcoming Event, Visit Request, and Thank You). |
Get Both Books Instantly for $27
When you purchase The College Recruiting Playbook + Printable Workbook Bundle ($27), you receive both the 56-page Playbook PDF and the standalone 18-page Printable Workbook PDF with unlimited family printing rights.
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