How to Make the Most of Winter Showcases: The Complete Parent & Player Guide
Winter showcases matter more than most families realize.
Coaches are finalizing their boards, evaluating the next recruiting class, and checking on players they’ve already flagged.
And unlike fall tournaments where teams are chasing results, winter showcases are purely recruiting environments. They exist for visibility, evaluation, and opportunity.
Here’s how to get the most out of them.
❄️ 1. Understand the Mindset of College Coaches in Winter
Winter is different because:
Coaches aren’t evaluating for “best team” they’re evaluating for “best fit.”
They want to see consistency, decision-making and how a player impacts the rhythm of play.
They’re tracking players they’ve already seen and cross-checking notes.
They are not chasing goals, flashy moves, or hype clips.
Coaches will tell you this directly:
“I’m looking for players who make the game easier for teammates.”
That should guide how players prepare and play.
⚽ 2. Showcase Tip for Players: Simplicity Wins
Winter events aren’t the time to reinvent your game.
They reward players who:
make clean, quick decisions
adjust quickly to surfaces and weather
communicate constantly
stay mentally sharp
show work rate even when possessions don’t go their way
A college coach can spot real soccer IQ faster than anything else.
📝 3. Email Before the Showcase (Parents: This Matters)
Players should send short, clean emails to coaches at least 4–5 days before a showcase.
Include:
name, grad year, position
jersey number
showcase name, game schedule
10–15 second clip (optional but helpful)
why the school is a good fit
NO spam blasts.
NO “Dear Coach” templates.
NO 10-paragraph resumes.
Keep it simple and personal.
🎥 4. Create a Simple “Winter Highlight Pack”
Coaches don’t need a full highlight reel.
A 45–60 second mini clip with:
ball-winning moments
clean first touches
combination play
defensive recovery
switches
smart movement off-ball
…is more valuable in winter than a 4-minute hype video.
Attach it to the pre-event email OR have it ready for follow-up.
🩼 5. Recovery, Warm-Up, and Weather: The Hidden Differentiators
Winter weather changes how players are evaluated.
Coaches notice players who:
warm up properly
stay mentally engaged between games
don’t let cold affect their movement
hydrate despite the temperature
Players who jog through warm-ups stand out — the wrong way.
📬 6. Follow-Up Within 48 Hours
A clean, quick email after the showcase separates serious players from casual ones.
Should include:
gratitude
one clip from the event (10–20 seconds)
short reflection (“I focused on X, and next game I’m working on Y.”)
upcoming schedule
This is where most families fall behind. Remember, consistency wins.
🧭 7. The Big Picture: Winter Is a Launchpad
Winter showcases set the table for spring identification and summer offers.
If a coach flags you now, they track you in:
March league play
April showcases
May ID events
June 15 communication window (for 2028s this year)
Winter is quiet on the surface, but massive behind the scenes.
⭐ Final Advice
Don’t overcomplicate these events.
Keep it simple:
Play your game
Communicate relentlessly
Email properly
Follow up consistently
Show maturity in your approach
That’s what gets players on a coach’s radar and keeps them there.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure what to do next, you’re not alone.
That’s exactly why I created the College Soccer Recruiting Playbook.
It’s a simple, realistic guide that walks your family through every phase of the journey, including real life experiences, emails, timelines, showcases & ID camps.
It’s the resource I wish someone had handed me years ago.
👉 Grab your copy HERE.