Should You Go to ID Camps in the Winter? Here’s the Truth.
Winter ID camps create more confusion than clarity.
Some families think they’re “must attend” events.
Others think they’re “money grabs.”
The truth is… it depends. And most parents don’t know what winter camps are actually for.
Here’s what you need to know.
❄️ 1. Winter ID Camps Serve a VERY Different Purpose Than Summer Camps
In June or July, coaches are often trying to identify new players, confirm lists, and build recruiting boards.
In the winter, their priorities shift:
They’re checking on players they already like
They’re confirming athletic profiles
They’re testing coachability under cold-weather fatigue
They’re evaluating decision-making indoors or on tight spaces
They’re watching how players warm up, recover, and interact
Winter camps are not “open tryouts.”
They’re micro-evaluations for players already in the conversation.
⚽ 2. So… Who SHOULD Go to a Winter ID Camp?
Players who:
have already emailed the coaching staff and gotten some interest
have been told “we’ll keep an eye on you”
are on a coach’s watch list from the fall
need exposure at a school they genuinely love
are healthy, fit, and not recovering from injury
If your daughter has been directly invited → go.
If a coach has personally responded to her emails → go.
If she’s had meaningful communication → go.
These camps can absolutely move a player forward.
🚫 3. Who SHOULD NOT Go to a Winter ID Camp?
Players who:
haven’t reached out to coaches yet
are injured or not match-fit
haven’t played in weeks
don’t have recent highlight clips
are treating camps like “random opportunities”
Winter camps are tougher environments, often cold, fast-paced, high-intensity.
They expose lack of sharpness quickly.
If your player isn’t prepared, skip it and target spring.
📝 4. What Coaches Actually Evaluate at Winter Camps
Coaches focus heavily on:
first touch under pressure
communication
movement off the ball
attitude, energy, and coachability
how players respond to mistakes
decision-making in cold, tired legs
Winter sessions are intense and often shorter, so every rep matters.
It’s not about scoring goals.
It’s about showing IQ, consistency, and maturity.
🧭 5. Should You Attend Multiple Winter Camps?
Only if your daughter is:
communicating with those coaching staffs
healthy and physically ready
genuinely interested in those programs
Winter is quality over quantity.
One strong camp > Four random ones.
📬 6. Email Timing Matters (A LOT)
Before camp:
Send a short, clean email with:
name, grad year, position
winter camp date
one short clip
why she’s interested
club team + upcoming showcases
After camp (within 24–48 hours):
thank you
attach one clip
specific takeaway
next upcoming events
⭐ Final Advice
Winter ID camps can be incredibly valuable but only for the right players at the right time.
Go if there's communication.
Skip if you're not ready.
Focus on what matters: IQ, consistency, and coachability.
That’s what moves players forward.
If you want the full step-by-step roadmap for emails, timelines, ID camps, and communication scripts, grab the College Soccer Recruiting Playbook — everything I wish our family had from day one.
👉 Download HERE.