This excerpt from my eBook “How to Become….. Wanted… and Rewarded. – Take Control and Market Yourself- The Complete Guide to a Successful Recruiting Experience”, is all about effort.
“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.” Vince Lombardi
The next quality to discuss, the next quality that will set you apart from all the other high school athletes wanting to get a college scholarship, the next quality that will make you a remarkable recruit, a Purple Cow recruit is effort.
As was discussed in earlier recruiting posts, it is very important for you to “show up” on film; show your speed (Purple Cow Quality #2-Speed) , and athletic ability (Be a Quick Purple Cow), and show that you can play fast (Playing Fast!). In addition, if you really want to stand out, show recruiters that you play with great effort!
During my collegiate coaching and recruiting days (University of Central Missouri and William Jewell College) , one of the biggest compliments that I would give when analyzing film on potential college football players was that they had a “great motor”. It was a compliment that I did not give often, because it is a quality that unfortunately does not show up that often. When I saw it on film, it was remarkable, and I took note. It is also why most recruiters (me included) want to see a complete game video along with a highlight film. Most players can go back through a seasons worth of games and come up with a few good plays to slap together into a “highlight” video; playing consistently with great effort and technique, play after play during the course of a game is not as easy to do. Often players get exposed.
Many consider it a character issue if players take a play off – that it displays a lack of character. Normally I do not think that is the case. I think it is the norm. Most high school players do not really understand what it means to go hard EVERY play.
I think the opposite IS true, though.
While effort really has nothing to do with athletic ability, I think it does show that you have good practice habits, have developed good character, and are “in shape“. I don’t believe that playing with great effort, having a “great motor” is something that a player can just “flip on”. It is a habit that they have developed over days, months, and years of doing it consistently in practice. If an athlete plays with great effort – has a “great motor” – it exhibits great character. It is remarkable, and recruiters will notice. I did.
In addition to these written posts, I have recently launched my YouTube Channel that deals specifically with the recruiting process. The channel can be found here : The YouCanDoMore YouTube Channel, and the complete playlist can be viewed here.
Any Questions? Just leave a comment or email.
Jeff Floyd – youcandomore1@yahoo.com
Is your ebook still available?
Traci, The eBook is available, but not in its current format. As I am posting, I am updating links and updating some NCAA and NAIA information that has changed in the last couple of years. I am also converting it from a PDF using iBook Author to make it easier to read and navigate. Because of that (and also because I want to keep people coming back here!) I am not releasing the book again until I am finished posting. I will also periodically consolidate all of the recruiting posts under a single blog post to make it easier to navigate. When it is complete, you will be able to download from here or from iTunes at no charge.
Thanks!
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