The 3 Phases of a High School Athletic Career

High school athletes who want to be recruited go through three distinct phases.

Orientation: Grades 9-10

High school student-athletes intent on advancing to the college level must initially cope with the jump in competition from youth to high school and more competitive club or travel sports. It’s no easy jump for a majority of athletes. Most find themselves in rookie roles starting over against older, bigger, stronger athletes. It is similar to what they will repeat only a few years in the future in college.

A big part of the transition, or orientation, is obviously physical. But mental stamina and toughness also come into play. The weak in either or both do not survive and are the first to be weeded out of the recruiting process. Yes, some fight through it and re-emerge as juniors or seniors, but the odds are slim that will happen.

Ninth grade is typically not as difficult as 10th. Ninth-graders are usually shielded by being placed on junior-varsity or lower-age teams. Some sophomores, for various reasons, also get to stay in orientation mode. That can be a very advantageous thing. It is when 10th graders get bumped up to the varsity stage that their skills get tested, some prematurely.

There are, indeed, those sophomores who deserve to move up and do fairly well. But those who are promoted to fill a roster spot and see little playing time see fewer growth benefits.

Training: Grades 10-11

Juniors and sophomores thrust into varsity action are, in essence, in training to hone their skills. They must learn how to deal with the expectations of a school and community. That can be a heavy weight. Couple that with the adulation usually showered on varsity athletes and one’s maturity is sorely tested.

On the skill side, Phase 2 is segment when athletes can go from potential college prospect to also-ran. As their bodies change, those who see only a modicum of physical growth soon are overwhelmed by those lucky enough to experience yet another uptick in physicality.

More importantly, it is the time to focus on improving fundamentals, strength and speed. The prospects who adapt advance. Those who linger in those areas see their college chances dwindle.

Sharpen and Show: Grades 11-12

The more advanced juniors and all seniors are under the recruiting gun, so to speak. This is their time to sharpen their skills and demonstrate them to watchful college coaches. Those coaches are making final roster decisions for classes one to two years in the future. Athletes who can confidently and consistently perform at a high level have legitimate shots at capturing coaches’ attention and scholarship offers.

Moreover, this does not mean that each athlete is an NCAA Division I prospect. Athletes can go through the entire development process and still be D-II, D-III, NAIA or NJCAA picks. In the end, college coaches make those decisions. They know into which box each athlete fits.

At National Scouting Report, our goal is to recognize the athletes whose abilities and grades qualify or will qualify them for college competition. Our watch begins as early as eighth grade. We aim to help those who want to be put in front of every coach in their area, state, region and across the country.

We diligently do this through patience and aligning ourselves with student-athletes who possess everything college coaches want in their recruits.