Nine New Rules of Soccer Promotion - EduKick Advice

No matter what the movies would have you believe, the only way you'll get anywhere with your soccer career is if you go after it yourself. Be as aggressive in seeking opportunities and scholarships as you are on the field.

Here are nine tips for giving yourself the edge over your peers.

1) Keep your soccer resume and references current.

University and professional teams want to hear from your most recent coaches. Make sure that you keep the references section of your soccer resume as updated and current as possible.

2) Add a video resume to your portfolio.

We can't emphasize enough the importance of capturing quality game footage on video. Video is a fantastic tool for showing off your abilities, and not many players are making use of it. If you have a video resume, then you have something that helps you stand out from the crowd.

If you attend a soccer camp, get a video of your training and competitive play there. If you attend tournaments, get a video. Any time you play competitively , get a video. Edit the footage you record into a five- to seven-minute video resume that showcases your talents. Then, copy and distribute the video resume to coaches, along with your paper one.

3) Attend university showcase tournaments.

Never turn down an opportunity to show off your skills for university coaches. These coaches attend university showcase tournaments every year, looking for talented players to receive scholarships. Make sure that you are there to play so that you never miss an opportunity!

4) Hone your skills overseas.

Distinguish yourself from other players by participating in international soccer camps, schools, and academies. You'll be exposed to a wider variety of coaching and intense daily training that will better develop you as a player, and give you a definite edge in the competition for university or professional slots. Don't forget to add these experiences to your soccer resume and capture video of yourself while you're abroad.

5) Be aggressive.

Aggression on the pitch is good, but it's just as important to be aggressive while seeking scholarships and schools. Create a database of colleges and universities that you are interested in attending. Be sure to include the soccer coach's name, email address, and mailing address for each school.

Then, make contact with the schools. Send them your resume and video. Ask about showcase tournaments, or if they'll send a scout to watch you play. Ask them what financial assistance or scholarships are available for the upcoming year. Nobody is going to do it for you, so you have to be your own biggest fan!

6) Let them know if you don't need a scholarship.

If you don't need a scholarship, but are eager to make the soccer team a particular university, let the coach know. Good players that don't require money to attend school are very valuable, because they allow coaches to use the scholarships for other, equally worthy players. It's very important to make this clear when you're promoting yourself to universities.

7) Know your level.

It's always good to constantly challenge yourself and strive to better your skills, but be honest about your level. Don't apply to Division 1 universities if you're more of a Divison 3 caliber. Get an accurate assessment of your level so that you pursue the appropriate colleges and universities.

8) Clean up your profile on Facebook and MySpace.

Social networking sites started popping up like weeds overnight. By the next morning, employers, administrators, educators, and coaches were checking out YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook to get an idea of the image potential students and players were projecting.

If soccer is your priority, show it! Post pictures and videos of you playing. Post blogs about your soccer camp experiences and what steps you're taking to become a better player. Comment on major professional matches. Make your social networking site a promotional vehicle for you!

9) Consider consulting with an agent.

If you are a high level player that is not going to attend university, consult with a professional agent. They can help you attain professional trials both domestically and abroad. For our most talented yearlong soccer boarding school players, EduKick works with Mr. Ed Chu, FIFA agent and owner of www.rampmanagement.com.*

Follow these tips to better your chances of getting noticed, and good luck on your future soccer career!