"Thank you for watching me play this weekend!"
If this is your post-tournament email strategy, you can do better - and today I'll show you how.
College coaches get dozens of these after every showcase. Most get skimmed and filed away.
Why? Because they show no insight. They create no connection. They offer nothing memorable.
The Post-Tournament Problem
Most players approach these communications all wrong:
- They send generic thanks
- They assume coaches remember them
- They provide no specific moments to reference
- They miss the opportunity to show their game understanding
Don't get me wrong, some communication beats no communication.
But there are simple ways to make the most of the post-event touchpoint.
Beyond The Thank You
The most effective post-tournament emails do three things:
- Reference specific moments from your games
- Show understanding of what happened and why
- Connect your play to the coach's program style
This isn't just about gratitude - it's about demonstration.
- Demonstrating your game awareness
- Demonstrating your learning mindset
- Demonstrating your fit with their style
You can also demonstrate your reflection skills in the timing of these emails.
Waiting 24-48 hours after the event has ended to send one suggests you've taken some time to think about your performance, but have also remembered to follow up promptly.
One Thing That Works
Before sending your post-tournament email, write down the most meaningful moment from your games - a challenge you faced, an adjustment you made, or a situation that tested you.
Then connect that moment to something you know about the program you're contacting.
This creates a genuine conversation point rather than just another "thanks for watching."
While this may not be realistic for every program you're writing to, tailoring a few of these emails for your favorite schools is an easy way to make yourself memorable.
Reality Check
Generic thanks get generic responses. Specific insights get remembered.
Show coaches what you learned, and they'll be more interested in what you'll learn next.
Looking for my complete post-tournament communication framework? The Field Hockey Recruiting Playbook includes specific templates for every tournament scenario, plus strategies for turning showcase experiences into meaningful coach connections.
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