INTRODUCTION

Sending an introductory email to college coaches is a very important first step in your recruiting process. This article will walk through an introductory email template you can customize and send to coaches to express interest in their school and share recruiting information. 

THE TEMPLATE

You will need to replace everything in the brackets with the required information to create your personal template that you can use for each coach you email. Before you send an email to a specific coach, make sure you replace the Coach [NAME] and [SCHOOL]. When you create your template, leave these fields in brackets to make it easy to see where you need to add that school’s information to your email.

SUBJECT: [YOUR FULL NAME], Class of 20[XX], POSITION

BODY:

Coach [NAME],

My name is [YOUR FULL NAME]. I am currently a [SOPHOMORE/JUNIOR] in high school in [CITY, STATE], and very interested in playing field hockey for [SCHOOL NAME].

I've included links to my recruiting profile, as well as highlight videos from the 20[XX] [EVENT NAME]:

• FieldHockeyIntel profile link: https://---

• 20[XX] [EVENT NAME]: https://---

• 20[XX] [EVENT NAME]: https://---

I would love to schedule a call with you to learn more about [SCHOOL NAME] and your program.

Thank you!

[YOUR FULL NAME]

[CELL PHONE NUMBER]

Class of 20[XX]

[AGE GROUP] [CLUB TEAM] [JERSEY #]

[FIELDHOCKEYINTEL PROFILE LINK]

Before we go into detail on how you can customize this template, here is an example of how it can look when filled out.

 SUBJECT: Kasandra Carroll, Class of 2029, Forward

BODY:

Hi Coach Smith,

My name is Kasandra Carroll. I am currently a sophomore in high school in Annapolis, MD and am very interested in playing field hockey for Cornell.

I've included links to my recruiting profile, as well as highlight videos from the 2026 Regional Club Championships and the 2026 Junior Nexus Championship:

• 2026 Regional Club Championship: https://---

• 2026 Junior Nexus Championship: https://---

I would love to schedule a call with you to learn more about Cornell and your program.

Thank you!

Kasandra Carroll

(999) 999-9999

Class of 2029

U16 Spark FHC (#23)

fhintel.com/kasandra-carroll

Next,let’s go through the template line-by-line for tips on how you can change it to make it your own.

SUBJECT LINE

To: [COACH EMAIL ADDRESS]

Subject: [YOUR FULL NAME], Class of 20[XX], [POSITION]

 The subject line is important to get right to ensure coaches open your email.

• Include your name.

• Include your class year. Coaches are often recruiting multiple classes at the same time. Make sure they know when you are graduating.

• Include your position (i.e., forward, midfielder, defender, goalkeeper).

GREETING

 Coach [NAME]/Coach [NAME] --

Let the coaches know that you are writing this email to them and not just sending an email spam to a bunch of coaches.

• Email the head coach and any assistant/associate coaches, if relevant.

• Use their names in the email. Address each coach as “Coach [LAST NAME].”  

INTRODUCING YOURSELF

 My name is [YOUR FULL NAME]. I am currently a [SOPHOMORE/JUNIOR] in high school in [CITY], [STATE] and am very interested in playing field hockey for [SCHOOL]. 

This part is straightforward. Fill in your full name, your current class, city, state, and the school you are emailing. Remember to change the school name each time you send an email!

HIGHLIGHT REELS AND/OR RAW GAME FOOTAGE

I’ve included links to my recruiting profiles, as well as highlight videos from the 20[XX] [EVENT NAME] and the 20[XX] [EVENT NAME]:

·       FieldHockeyIntel Profile: https://---

·       20[XX] [EVENT NAME]: https://---

·       20[XX] [EVENT NAME]: https://---

College coaches want to see videos of you playing field hockey. This can be raw game footage and/or highlight videos from high school or club games, showcase tournaments, or Nexus events (e.g., AAU Junior Olympic Games, Junior Nexus Championship, Junior National Camps).

Don’t attach a huge video to the email. Upload the video to YouTube, Vimeo, etc. and share the link or direct them to your FieldHockeyIntel profile (if you’ve added links there). 

You must help the coach identify which player in the video(s) is you either by editing the video(s) and identifying yourself or by description in the email (i.e., jersey color, number).

CONCLUSION

I would love to schedule a call with you to learn more about [SCHOOL] and your program.

Thank you!

[YOUR FULL NAME]

Class of 202[X]

[AGE GROUP] [CLUB TEAM] [JERSEY NO.]

[FieldHockeyIntel profile link] 

 This is your opportunity to request a call with the coach, so you can learn more about the school and their program. It may also be beneficial to include a headshot of yourself, so the coach can put a face to the name.

WHICH COACHES/COLLEGES TO EMAIL (WHERE YOU FIT)

Prioritize emailing colleges where you actually fit in athletically and academically. Email stretch schools but make sure they are realistic stretch schools. Early on, your search criteria should be broad, but you should still have a clear understanding of the impact you would bring to a particular program. Utilize your personalized FieldHockeyIntel Best Fit Report to build an initial list of schools to email.

COACHES ARE RESEARCHING YOU. TELL YOUR STORY.

You want college coaches to see your entire student-athlete resume both on and off the field (athletics, academics, leadership…). Create your FieldHockeyIntel profile (free!) then customize it to show college coaches your true personality (see https://fieldhockeyintel.com/articles/building-your-profile). College coaches are researching you, show them what makes you unique.