Navigating college beach volleyball recruitment takes more than just athletic talent. Understanding and avoiding common red flags can make a huge difference in how college coaches perceive you. Here's a detailed guide to help athletes and parents stand out—for the right reasons.

🚩 Athletic Red Flags

Inconsistent Training Commitment

• Missed practices

• Skipping off-season training

• Poor conditioning habits

• Limited tournament participation

Poor On-Court Behavior

• Negative body language

• Arguing with partners or officials

• Emotional outbursts

• Lack of hustle

Underdeveloped Skills

• Flawed fundamentals

• Lack of versatility

• Poor court awareness

• Inconsistent performance

👉 Coaches notice athletes who consistently put in the work. A lack of dedication can be a major turn-off 

📚 Academic Red Flags

Low or Declining Grades

• Dropping GPA

• Missing core NCAA requirements

• Weak standardized test scores

• Academic probation

Poor Course Selection

• Avoiding challenging courses

• Replacing hard classes with easier alternatives

• Enrolling in non-NCAA-approved courses

Weak Time Management

• Missed deadlines

• Poor planning

• Inability to balance academics and athletics

👉 Strong academic performance shows discipline—something coaches love to see

📞 Communication Red Flags

Social Media Issues

• Inappropriate or negative content

• Unprofessional posts

• Public complaints about coaches or teammates

Bad Communication with Coaches

• Generic or copy-paste emails

• Typos or poor grammar

• Delayed replies

• Disrespectful or overly casual tone

Over-Involved Parents

• Parents contacting coaches instead of the athlete

• Unrealistic expectations

• Speaking negatively about other programs

👉 Coaches want direct communication from the athlete. Overbearing parents can be a red flag .

🧠 Character Red Flags

Leadership and Team Culture Issues

• Poor chemistry with teammates

• Negative influence on team

• Avoiding responsibility

Weak Work Ethic

• No extra effort outside of practices

• Poor preparation

• Refusing to accept feedback

Entitled or Toxic Attitude

• Blaming others

• Making excuses

• Acting like a scholarship is guaranteed

👉 Coaches look for athletes who are resilient, coachable, and team-oriented (source).

✅ How to Address Red Flags

Athletic Growth

• Stick to a consistent training schedule

• Compete in quality tournaments

• Stay coachable and ask for feedback

Academic Focus

• Stay on top of coursework and test prep

• Take challenging but manageable classes

• Learn effective time management

Professional Communication

• Write thoughtful, personalized emails

• Maintain a clean, positive online presence

• Let the athlete lead conversations with coaches

👉 Being proactive about growth and showing accountability can reverse red flags and make you stand out 

🎯 Next Steps

• Download our Red Flag Prevention Guide

• Assess your current academic, athletic, and personal habits

• Book a 1-on-1 video evaluation

• Enroll in our College-Bound Beach Volleyball Success Path program

Enroll Now! 

💬 "By following Better at Beach's advice, my daughter went from overlooked to earning multiple D1 offers!"
— Michelle K., Parent of Pepperdine Commit

📌 FAQ

Can past red flags be fixed?
Yes. Coaches love to see athletes who grow from mistakes and take ownership.

How can we spot potential red flags early?
Frequent check-ins with trusted coaches and mentors can help identify and correct issues.

What if parents have already been too involved?
It’s not too late to step back. Let your athlete lead conversations moving forward—coaches will appreciate the shift.