So after going through the first summer under the recruiting rule change, what do you think the consequences are?
1. Think twice about spending money on expensive showcases this coming year. There was a massive drop in college coach attendance at some top 2020 (9th grade) showcases this summer, so expect the same next summer when the 2021s are that age. The 2018-2019 season will be the big one for the 2021s.
2. Consider whether to bother with too many college ID camps. The focus will be almost entirely on 2020s this coming year.
3. The importance of your club's prior relationships with college coaches is diminished now regardless how much bragging and boasting the club directors engage in. There will be much less guess work on the part of college coaches, who probably did rely on club directors prior to the rule change. They were committing 8th and 9th graders who were still physically developing, but now they have plenty of time to see the girls play after most of them are much closer to full athletic development, and the girls are more mature about their decisions.
4. The pressure is off young girls now, and a lot of power has been shifted from club directors to the players. I think club directors are feeling it, too. This is a good thing.
Plus, high school coaches could end up back in the equation. That would be interesting considering that quite a few of the club coaches are also high school coaches.
