It’s that time of year. The emails are flooding your inbox, the social media ads are everywhere, and the pressure is mounting. It’s showcase season, and the message is loud and clear: if you want to get recruited, you have to be there. You have to pay the fee, travel across the country, and compete against hundreds of other kickers for a coveted rating from a national camp.
But what if that’s not the whole story? What if the most powerful recruiting tool you have isn’t a showcase ranking, but the film you put on tape every Friday night?
Let’s be clear: national showcases can be a great experience, and some athletes certainly benefit from them. But they are not the only path, and for many, they are not the best path. It’s time to peel back the curtain and talk about what really matters in recruiting—and how you can take control of your future, especially if you don’t have the money for expensive camps.
Understanding the Showcase Business Model
First, it’s important to understand what these showcases are: they are for-profit businesses. They are designed to bring in a high volume of athletes, run them through drills, and provide evaluations. While they can offer exposure, their primary goal is not to get every single athlete recruited; it’s to run a successful event.
For a kicker, this can mean getting lost in a sea of 200 other athletes, kicking off a perfect tee on a perfect field with no rush. It’s a controlled environment that showcases leg strength, but it tells a college coach very little about who you are when the game is on the line.
Your Resume Isn’t Written on a Sunday; It’s Forged on Friday Nights
College coaches aren’t just recruiting kickers; they are recruiting clutch performers. They need to know what you do in the pressure cooker of a tied game with ten seconds on the clock and a 12-man rush trying to take your head off.
That’s where your game film becomes your ultimate advantage. A showcase can’t demonstrate:
- Handling Pressure: Making a game-winning 42-yarder in the rain.
- Adaptability: Dealing with a bad snap or a slippery hold.
- Kickoff Versatility: Hitting a directional kick to pin a team deep.
- Toughness: Coming up to make a tackle on a long return.
Your game film is your undisputed resume. A showcase is an interview in a controlled setting. Which do you think a coach trusts more when a scholarship is on the line?
The DIY Recruiting Playbook: Your Path to Getting Noticed
So, if you’re not attending the big showcases, how do you get seen? You outwork the competition with a smart, proactive recruiting strategy. You are the CEO of your own recruitment.
1. Build Your A+ Highlight Reel: Your film is everything. Don’t just show your longest makes. Create a comprehensive reel that includes: * Field goals from both hashes and varying distances. * Every PAT (to show consistency). * Multiple kickoffs, clearly showing distance and hang time. * Any tackles or athletic plays you make.
2. Get Your Stats Verified: Use platforms like MaxPreps, Hudl, or even local news articles to back up your performance. Coaches trust third-party validation.
3. Create a Targeted School List: Don’t waste your time spamming every coach in the country. Research 30-50 schools that are a realistic fit for you academically, athletically, and geographically. Look at their rosters—do they need a kicker in your class?
4. Launch a Professional Email Campaign: This is your first impression. Write a clear, concise email introducing yourself. * Subject: Your Name | Position | Grad Year | Key Stats (e.g., John Smith | Kicker | 2026 | 9/11 FG, Long 48) * Body: Briefly introduce yourself, express genuine interest in their program, and provide links to your highlight film, Hudl profile, and transcript. * Follow Up: If a coach follows you back on social media or views your film, send a polite follow-up.
5. Use Social Media as Your Digital Resume: Post your highlights regularly on platforms like X (Twitter). Tag the schools on your target list (don’t overdo it) and use relevant hashtags. Keep your profile clean and professional.
Your Talent Has No Price Tag
Don’t let a financial barrier convince you that your dream is out of reach. Showcases are one tool, but they are not the entire toolbox. Your performance under the Friday night lights, captured on film and relentlessly promoted through your own hard work, is more powerful than any ranking you can buy.
Your talent, your film, and your hustle are what will earn you a scholarship. Now go prove it.
About The Kicking System
The Kicking System is the premier development program for athletes dedicated to mastering the art and science of kicking and punting. We believe that talent and hard work—not the size of your wallet—should define your future. Our mission is to empower every athlete with the techniques, strategies, and recruiting knowledge needed to succeed. We focus on what truly matters: performance under pressure and creating your own path to the next level.
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