How to Walk on to a Division 1 Team? | The Steps for Success

A frequently asked question in the recruiting world is: Can you walk on to a division 1 team?

The answer is yes, but it’s not always as straightforward as that. Many things go in to this process which we have outlined below.

Where to start the process:

The first step in deciding to join a division 1 team is determining if this lifestyle is for you.

Being a college athlete is one of the best experiences you could ever have, but it is often very stressful and requires many sacrifices. Once you have decided that playing a sport in college is right for you we can then begin to start doing some research.

Finding the best fit for yourself:

This is a huge step in the process and one that many kids mistakenly skip. One of the main reasons there are so many college athlete transfers each year is kids don’t take enough time to find the right fit for themselves.

They are too worried about playing at the highest level possible, going where there peers/parents think is best, or get caught up in promises made by coaches.

Do some research and find out what type of schools you like. Maybe even go on some visits to get a feel for what you would be comfortable with.

Once you have this figured it out, deciding what college to attend will be a much smoother process.

Reaching out to college coaches:

If you are not being heavily recruited you should be reaching out to college coaches constantly. All it takes is one coach to believe in you!

Send them your film, ask about visits, and get a feel for what the team is like. If you feel walking on is your best option, then ask coaches about that process.

Remember, you are able to walk on to a team whether it’s D1, D2, or D3. If you prove yourself worthy enough, you might even earn a scholarship down the road.

Talk to members of the team:

Thanks to social media it is very easy to get in contact with just about anybody.

Find some kids on current college teams and ask them how they like the school. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions about the coaches, team, practice, academics, etc.

This will give you a good feel for the type of kids on the team and what to expect. You want to be on a team with guys/girls that you like and have similar interests as you.

You’re going to be spending a lot of time with these people. It’s important to find a place with people you’ll enjoy being around.

Visit your high school guidance office:

Another key step before walking on is visiting the guidance office at your high school and having a chat with the counselors.

They will give you a good idea of what it takes to get in to the school you plan on joining as a walk-on.

If the coaches can give your a preferred walk-on spot that will greater your chances of getting in to the university. So communication is key between you, the coaches, and guidance counselors.

Receiving a preferred walk-on (PWO) is a more ideal situation than just walking-on to a school hoping to get a tryout. Not every school will have PWO’s, which you should know by now if you reached out to coaches or members of the current team.

How to get on the team:

This is why you want to attend a school you would like being at even if you weren’t playing a sport. Getting a spot on the team isn’t always guaranteed.

To be a walk-on, you might have to go through a tryout before you get put on the roster. This is of course unless you already received a preferred walk-on spot.

There could be 10 other kids fighting for the same spot as you. You will have to be mentally and physically prepared for the tryout.

It’s your one opportunity to make the team.

The College Recruiting Guidebook

The college recruiting guidebook is the ultimate manual to earning an athletic scholarship for student-athletes and parents.

How would a $50,000/year athletic scholarship change your families life?

Inside the guidebook you’ll have access to:

• step-by-step instructions freshman through senior year
• every single college coaches email in the country (broken up by division and school)
• sample email/dm/text templates you can use
• a manual for parents on how to negotiate scholarships/financial aid with college coaches
• access to an array of bonuses you won’t find anywhere else

 

Parents will pay $20 just for admission in to their kids game. You can get this guidebook for the same price.

The college recruiting guidebook could literally change your families future! 

Download the Guidebook

Training for the tryout:

You need to be willing to put in the work for this tryout if you are serious about walking-on. Don’t procrastinate or put your efforts in to other activities.

College sports are no joke. Even if the tryout is easy, the practices you will now be a part of are a whole new animal.

Next, make sure your conditioning is as good as it can be. Don’t just run to run, find ways that simulate your sport whether thats running long distance or completing short sprints.

You will also need to be doing strength training 3-4 days a week. Find a plan that works for your sport or get a certified trainer.

Also make sure you are eating the right foods and putting the correct supplements in your body. Whey protein is going to be important for gaining lean muscle and preparing your body for the college grind.

Stay away from supplements that may not be NCAA approved.

Lastly, make sure you are sharpening up your sport specific skills. Whether that is shooting, catching, dribbling, handling, route running, or any other motions your sport requires.

Your game will have to be in crisp form if you want to have a productive tryout.

Mentally preparing yourself:

Just as you have to be physically prepared for your tryout, you also have to be mentally ready. Confidence is key here.

If your mind is in the right place, there is nothing you can’t accomplish. (Want to increase confidence and mental toughness as an athlete? Check out this book.)

By developing a strong mindset you will be able to make the team and handle the life as a collegiate student-athlete.

The actual tryout:

Now that you have found the right school, been giving a chance to tryout, and trained hard; it is up to you to make the team.

Play as hard as you possibly can and leave nothing to chance.The rest should work itself out, especially if you took all the proper steps leading up to this point.

My Experience:

I might have played Division 1 basketball on a full scholarship, but I realized the importance of walk-ons during my time.

They play a key role on the team and in a way have it harder than anybody else.

Walk-ons are expected to boost the team GPA, be the scout team, and provide energy on the bench – while only getting to play a few garbage minutes throughout the whole season.

At my school, they got treated the same and were viewed as valuable members (which they are).

Being a walk-on, especially at a Division 1 school, comes with a lot of benefits. Most won’t get to play, so that is probably the biggest downside.

Conclusion: Can You Walk on to a Division 1 Team?

We wish you the best in your journey to making the roster of a division 1 team. People are going to doubt you throughout the process, but all that matters is that you believe.

Always keep your options open and don’t burn any bridges. To be able to walk on to a Division 1 team is still a big accomplishment.