Ashley Roberts of Tampa Bay played softball in college on a full at Santa Fe Community College, then at the University of Florida for the remainder of scholarship. In the following article, Ashley Roberts discusses some of the techniques she used to obtain such a rewarding and prestigious goal.
More than 1,600 schools across the United States offer scholarships for softball athletes who excel at the game. Although it is possible to receive a full ride scholarship, it is not necessarily guaranteed because softball is categorized as an equivalency sport for scholarships.
Ashley Roberts of Tampa Bay says that obtaining a full ride softball scholarship can be an extremely competitive process. Get set up for success by practicing hard and often, attending events, reaching out to coaches at interested schools, and creating a solid skills video.
Below, Ashley Roberts discusses some of the things she did to qualify for and receive a full scholarship for softball.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Ashley Roberts of Tampa Bay says that one of the biggest things that sets scholarship athletes apart from other players is to technically excel at the game. Do this by practicing hard and often to get a leg up on the competition and increase various skills.
Developing a trusted practicing routine that is completed either daily or weekly keeps athletes accountable while aiming for certain athletic goals. The biggest way to stand out amongst any competitor is to demonstrate impeccable athletic ability. The best way to do this consistently is through repetitive practice explains Ashley Roberts.
Create a List of Schools
When trying to obtain a scholarship to play softball in college it is a good idea to research top dream schools and put together a list says Ashley Roberts of Tampa Bay.
NCSA recommends casting a wide net when applying for softball scholarships to increase the odds of getting one. Try to make this list at least 20 to 30 colleges or universities.
Within this list, break it up into three smaller lists, and try to include around five dream schools that you are aiming for that might be slightly out of your reach says Ashley Roberts of Tampa Bay. Then, 10 schools that are appropriate matches for specific athletic and academic abilities and interests, then 5 safety net schools that are almost guaranteed to be able to attend if nothing else works out.
Attend Events and Network
Get out there by attending events and reaching out to potential coaches and schools that may have an interest in your specific abilities. Send an introductory email to the college coach and be sure to include a skills video. Make sure that any correspondence from schools and coaches is acknowledged in a timely and responsible manner.
Attending camps is another great way to develop skills and work on the sport in a new environment while collaborating with new team members. It is important, however, to do extensive research and be sure that these schools can utilize your time and athletic efforts in the best way possible.
Playing in a travel or a club team is another great option because it allows practice in the summer or fall, which is different than the typical high school season. This allows for potential exposure to colleges scouts and coaches because during the high school season is when these coaches and scouts come looking for recruits.
Create a Solid Skills Video
Ashley Roberts says that developing a skills video is a crucial opportunity to portray athletic ability and show potential coaches your specific skills, while standing out against competitors. Focus some extra time and energy into developing a solid eye-catching skills video and it will surely pay off. Creating a
YouTube channel with a compilation of various videos related to skills, practice, work ethic and new, exciting ideas for the sport is a great way to get noticed.
Ashley Roberts of Tampa Bay says a signature move should be included in the skills video. This is always something that potential coaches will want to see.
It is also a good idea to keep a skills video on the shorter side as, in general, coaches tend to get to the point, short and sweet. Eliminate any excess frills like intros, sound effects, or music and keep the video professional and succinct says Ashley Roberts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, although it may be difficult to obtain a full ride scholarship to play softball in college. there are definitely ways to increase the odds of doing so. Be sure to cast a wide net when applying for scholarships and in some cases, it may be a good idea to apply for multiple smaller scholarships instead of hoping for one big one.
