Winning the Coach's Approval: How Negative Traits Impact Player Recruitment

As a recruiter, I get asked all the time what I actually look for when scouting young athletes. Skills and talent matter, obviously, but what a lot of people don't realize is that a player's attitude off the court can matter just as much. I'm drawn to kids who respect personal space and the people around them, who show real gratitude toward their parents and coaches, and who carry themselves with positive body language on the court. Eye contact during a conversation matters too, it's a small thing, but it tells me someone's actually engaged and respectful. These details seem minor, but they say a lot about a player's character, and they can genuinely shape how her recruitment goes. Poor sportsmanship or undisciplined behavior, on the other hand, can turn a coach away fast. My goal here is simple: give athletes honest, practical advice that actually improves their chances of playing at the next level.

When I'm evaluating a PSA, certain red flags will turn me in another direction fast. Lack of discipline and respect is one of them. If a player can't take her coach's instruction or won't follow team rules, the whole team's performance takes the hit, not just hers. A poor attitude and weak work ethic is another. I watch warmups closely. Is she focused? Intentional? Or is she messing around, stopping constantly to chat or play to the crowd? Players like that tend to be self-centered, without much real motivation to work for the team instead of themselves.

Student-athletes should take Matthew 5:16 to heart: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." That's a real reminder of the responsibility that comes with being a positive role model, on the court and off it. Living with good character isn't just spiritually meaningful. It genuinely shapes personal and professional relationships, and it opens doors down the road that talent alone can't.

I'm also not a fan of players who can't handle constructive criticism. It's a total buzzkill watching someone get defensive or shut down over feedback instead of actually using it to improve. Coaches want athletes who care about their education, so being a slacker in the classroom is a no-go too. Acting like a diva, being dishonest, being shady with a coach, having an unprofessional social media presence, poor language, drug or alcohol content, anything overly sexualized, all of that turns coaches off fast. And watching an athlete disrespect her own family is a real red flag. Given what families invest in club volleyball, ungrateful behavior toward the people who got you there says something real about fit with a team's culture. Ephesians 4:29 puts it well: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Cut the negative traits, and you're not just more recruitable. You're a better person, period.

If you actually want to impress coaches and recruiters, start with honesty about yourself. Where do you actually need work, a specific skill, your attitude, your social media, your work ethic? Look at the social pages of athletes who've already committed where you want to go; it'll give you a real sense of what recruiters in that world are actually looking for. Reach out to coaches or mentors for honest feedback too, they know exactly what recruiters want and can point you toward what to fix. Once you know your weak spots, go work on them, and don't forget your academic accomplishments. Coaches love a player who takes school as seriously as she takes her sport. Show your skills, fix what needs fixing, and you become the kind of PSA recruiters actually want.

Player recruitment in college athletics comes down to more than just skill. Coaches are weighing behavior and character right alongside talent. Negative traits can hurt your chances, but they're not permanent, self-reflection, honest feedback, real improvement, and academic commitment can turn any of that around. Build the positive traits, lean into the strengths you already have, and your recruitment chances go up right along with them.