The ability to have someone speak on your behalf can be very powerful.  In recruiting, job searches, or even working to meet a significant other, the ability to have a trusted individual speak on your behalf can make or break the deal.

In the recruiting world, prospects are working to separate themselves from other players looking to land at the school of their choice.  We have discussed a player’s ability to communicate through email, text, and phone calls in past Recruiting Essentials.  Today we will take a look at a couple of “best practices” when setting up references.

References Should Know They Are References

Players should tell the people they are using as references that they are using them.  This seems simple and should be a common practice, but you would not believe the number of phone calls I made in 15+ years at the D1 level to coaches and scouts that were not aware they were on a player’s resume.