Ricky Yahn

🏀College Head Coach | Previously @ Cornell, George Mason, Longwood, Concordia & MADE Hoops | #girldad #716 #304

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

College coaches receive hundreds of recruiting emails every month.

And email is still the best way to get on their radar.

The problem? Most are poorly structured and make it harder, not easier, to evaluate the player.

The best emails do one thing well:

They incentivize the coach to click and watch the video.

In your first message, include the relevant, necessary information.

Nothing more.
Nothing less.

#recruiting #collegebasketball #collegerecruiting #recruitingtips #recruitment

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

This video really hit home as both a college coach & youth sports parent.

We have more knowledge.
We want to help.

But what really matters is how the feedback is received.

And every kid is different.

My daughter told me something I was saying wasn’t helping her.

Sometimes the best way we can help is to listen.

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

The idea of this is great, and something I’d love to do & even tried to do before.

But for most coaches/programs at non-D1 schools, isn’t practical (and I love Neighbors - use a lot of his shooting stuff).

Players are coming from class, they can’t get on the court before practice starts because another team is practicing, etc.

You also usually have another team coming on the court after you, so you have a limited time on the court.

Also easier to do when you have multiple full time assistants, athletic trainers S&C coach to help with getting players ready.

[Coach Tony Miller @tonywmiller]

Thoughts on starting your practices like this? I've had coaches ask about improving their team's ability to get out to better starts to games. What about this?

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

A lot of players think the June scholastic period is just another exposure opportunity. It’s not.

There are some things that college coaches can typically look for in June:

Leadership.
Basketball IQ.
Coachability.
Impact on winning.

AAU and scholastic events both matter, but there’s certain things that are easier to evaluate with each.

#ballislife #aau #recruiting #recruitingtips

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

Everyone thinks they need more “Exposure”.

But the purpose of exposure is different at different ages.

At younger ages, chasing attention from college coaches is pointless. Playing against good competition and getting noticed by strong AAU programs in your area is what matters.

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

@MammothBB Definitely valid points, and Kon is a great call for young players to emulate.

Young players don’t need as many dribbles as him - but that’s probably true of every player who is both the primary handler & scorer in the League.

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

Young players would improve more learning to play like Jalen Brunson than trying to copy players whose skillsets are amplified by their size or elite athleticism.

Brunson’s game is built on footwork, pace, angles, decision making, and creating space to score over bigger & more athletic defenders.

Agree? Or is there a better NBA player for young players to emulate?

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

It’s also more difficult to get a D1 offer out of HS than ever before.

And, it’s more common to transfer from non-D1 ➡️ D1 than ever before.

Somehow the collective talent in D2/D3/NAIA/JUCO has risen, yet a lot of uninformed people don’t seem to appreciate that.

[William Payne @TweetsbyCoachP]

Similarly to what @CoachT_2 said….I think it’s reached a point that today’s recruits are more aversed to non-D1 “levels” than ever before

Even at a time when you see former D2 players in the NBA playoffs

Former D3 players on NBA rosters

Former JUCO players being NBA All-Stars

NAIA players earning 2-way contracts

And still….I think the narrative surrounding the non-D1 opportunities are as negative as they have ever been for the masses and it’s so defeating and deflating.

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

Real confidence doesn’t come from the last shot going in.

It comes from seeing yourself do difficult things well.

The best shooters, players, and teams trust the work they’ve put in.

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

This kid loves basketball.

Since before he could walk, he’s wanted to have a ball in his hands all day, every day.

Walking around. In the car. On the couch. Sleeping.

Once the weather was nice enough, he wanted to shoot hoops while we wait for his sisters to get off the bus.

And now the kids on the bus cheer for him everyday.

The kids are alright.

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

Do you care about winning?

Great teams have great teammates.

Being a great teammate doesn’t require any skill or talent, but it has a big impact on winning.

Celebrate your teammates. Be engaged in timeouts. Accept coaching. Be an energy giver on the bench.

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

Something a D1 coach said in a recent conversation really stood out.

A lot of players who are good enough to eventually play D1, won’t get a D1 offer out of high school.

That means D2, JUCO, NAIA, and D3 recruiting is more competitive than ever.

The path might look different now…
but decisions in the recruiting process matter more than ever.

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

WembanMAMBA!!

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

Even if you make some nice plays in front of college coaches, these are some reasons they still won’t be interested.

Coaches are evaluating more than just scoring during the live period!

#aau #ballislife #recruiting #collegerecruiting #recruitingtips

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

@CoachJohnson82 👊

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

100 days ago, I decided to start sharing what I’ve learned from over 20 years in college basketball.

The best part hasn’t been views or followers…

It’s been connecting with other coaches, players, and parents.

Appreciate everyone who’s followed along, commented, shared videos, or reached out.

If you’re in Buffalo looking for player development…
or anywhere looking for recruiting guidance…

Shoot me a message. I’d love to see if I can help.

#ballislife #recruitingtips #collegebasketball #buffalo #coachingtips

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

Here are some recruiting do’s & dont’s based on mistakes I’ve seen in 20 years as a college basketball coach.

❌ Don’t wait until May of senior year to contact non-D1 schools
✅ Do contact schools from all levels early so you understand where you realistically fit

❌ Don’t send a 5-minute highlight video with every made shot from the season
✅ Do organize clips by skill-set and only include plays that show transferable skills

❌ Don’t cross a school off your list after 1 unanswered email
✅ Do follow up at least 2 times with each coach

If the recruiting process feels frustrating or overwhelming, comment “PLAN” if you want to make sure you’re headed in the right direction.

#recruitingtips #recruiting #ballislife #collegebasketball #collegerecruiting

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

I hear you! It’s definitely a challenge because it’s not a 1:1 relationship. I hear that frustration from HS coaches… but I also hear similar from some really good club coaches that HS coaches won’t respond to them.

Like a lot of relationships, we only have control of our side of it… and it’s frustrating when if it’s not reciprocated.

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

Is AAU or High School basketball more important?

Most college-level players play both for a reason.

When HS & AAU coaches work together instead of competing for players year-round… players benefit.

#basketball #aau #highschoolbasketball #recruitingtips #coachingtips

[Ricky Yahn @CoachYahn]

If I’m being honest, I was much better at growing as a coach when I was younger.

When I became a head coach, I thought the best thing to do was to pour all of my time and energy into helping the team win.

But the best coaches are lifelong learners.

That’s something that required focused, intentional effort as a head coach.

It’s helped me be become a better coach, which is what our teams need.

#coaching #coachingtips #basketballcoaches #ballislife