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Knowing how college coaches recruit and what they are looking for can make the process less intimidating for prospects.

Our “Recruiting Insider” series features coaches from across the nation sharing their methods of how they identify, scout and communicate with potential recruits.

Today, we hear from UC Irvine women’s head coach Elizabeth Ferris:

What are your primary methods of recruiting?

“We mostly recruit out of California, where I can recruit at several local tournaments throughout the year and high school matches. I am looking to fly up to Nor Cal for the bigger events, such as sectionals. For out-of-the-area players, hardcourts in San Diego is a great opportunity to see them play and also schedule an unofficial recruiting trip at UCI once the event is finished. Most recruits will do an unofficial recruiting trip the summer before their senior year. From there, the recruit and I will have a good idea if we want to move forward with an official recruiting trip in the early fall. I will typically offer certain dates where recruits can fit into their schedule, and by the last one we will make our official offers. We will give recruits so many weeks to make their decision, and by the start of the signing period we will have things wrapped up.”