Diving Recruitment: A Guide for High School Athletes

 

Recruitment Rules

• Sophomores (Rising Juniors): Coaches can’t contact you until June 15th. In-person communication is allowed starting August 2nd.

• Juniors & Seniors: Coaches can contact you and vice versa at any time.

 

Finding Coaches' Contact Info

1. Visit the school’s official website and navigate to the swimming & diving section.

2. Look for a roster or staff page to find the coach’s contact info.

3. Double-check that you’re reaching out to the diving coach—not just the head swimming coach!

 

Building Your Email List

• Tip: Create a spreadsheet with at least 30 schools and their diving coach emails.

• Send emails to all 30, and start narrowing down the list as you receive responses, leaving you with a final 5 to focus on.

 

Introductory Email Template

Feel free to use or adapt this template:

Subject: [Your Name] – Diving Recruitment [Your Graduation Year]
(Note: Only include GPA if it’s above 3.5)

Hi [Coach’s Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I’m a [Sophomore/Junior/Senior] at [Your High School Name]. I’m very interested in the opportunity to join the [School Name] diving team.

A little about me: I’ve been diving since the age of [Your Age], and I’ve had the chance to compete at [Mention any major competitions you’ve attended]. My current GPA is [Your GPA], and I’m on track to graduate in [Your Graduation Year]. I train at [Club/Training Facility] under coaches [Coach’s Name(s)].

What excites me about [School Name] is the opportunity to grow both academically and athletically. I admire your program and would love to explore how I can contribute to the team.

You can view my dive video and Instagram here:

• [Link to YouTube video]

• [Link to Instagram]

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to learning more about your program!

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your High School]
[Your Phone Number]
Coaches: [Club Coach's Name] - [Phone Number]

 

Important Information to Include in Your Email:

• A brief bio (include your diving background)

• Major competitions you’ve attended (Nationals, Zones, USA Diving, etc.)

• Why you’re interested in that school/program

• Links to your dive Instagram and YouTube recruitment video

• Your contact information (email and phone number)

If you don’t get a response within two weeks, follow up—but don’t email a coach more than twice.

 

Recruitment Video Tips

Your recruitment video should highlight your dives and skill set. Here's what to include:

• Voluntary and Optional dives for 1m, 3m, and tower (if applicable)

• Use videos from both practice and competition

• Title the video with your graduation year

• Keep it short: only include one video of each dive (no waiting around or pauses)

• Post it on YouTube for easy access by coaches

 

Dive Instagram: An Essential Tool

Having a dedicated Instagram account for your diving profile is critical for recruitment. Make sure your account includes:

• Your name

• Your club or team

• Your graduation year

• Your recruitment email

Key Tips:

• Only post diving-related content (keep personal photos off)

• Post regularly after meets, when you learn new dives, or hit personal bests

• Reels are great for visibility and engagement

 

NCAA and NCSA Accounts

• NCAA: It’s essential to create an NCAA account. Include your stats, transcript, and email. Coaches will use this to find and reach out to you. Remember your NCAA number for official visits!

• NCSA: A free account on NCSA is another useful tool. Coaches from D1, D2, and D3 schools browse this site to find athletes. Don’t pay for the premium version, as the free one provides all you need.

 

What to Say & Ask During Calls with Coaches

• When you first speak to a coach, they’ll usually ask you to talk a little about yourself. Be ready to give a brief 30-second introduction (start with your family, then talk about academics, and finally dive into your diving background).

• After the coach asks you a few questions, be prepared to ask them questions about their program. Here are some common questions to ask:

Dive-Related Questions:

• What does your pool look like?

• Do you have a dryland facility?

• Do you have a 3m and 1m tower?

• What’s your weekly training schedule like?

Academic Questions:

• How do you support student-athletes academically?

• Are there academic advisors for athletes?

• What are your team's GPA requirements?

• Does the school offer early registration for athletes?

 

Official Visits

After several calls, a coach might invite you for an official visit to their school. On these visits:

• Dress conservatively (athletic gear is best).

• Stay with a current team member in the dorms to get a feel for campus life.

• Coaches often cover the cost of your flight and hotel for your parents.

• Get in the pool and try out the boards/tower to ensure it’s the right fit for you.

 

This guide should help you navigate the recruiting process with clarity and confidence!