If you've noticed that your players have changed drastically over the past decade, you aren't alone. 

College coaches collectively scratch their heads at what happened, and when it happened: When did their athletes change?  When did it get so hard to relate to them?  When did it get so hard to recruit them?  What's the secret to understand how today's athlete actually makes their final decision on where to play and go to school?

Those questions will be answered at this weekend's SFC Recruiting Kick-Off Conference.  Mandy Brettingen, a women's soccer coach with ten years of coaching and recruiting at the Division I and II levels, is tackling the subject that she has become an expert in over the years.

"Based on the interviews I've listened to and books that I have read about successful coaches (Mike Krzyzewski, Pat Summit, and others), there is a new shift in focus for coaches that is getting the most out of their athletes," says Brettingen.  "Traditionally, coaches used fear and intimidation to motivate athletes, coaches now seem to be focusing on developing strong relationships with athletes based on trust and respect.    I have found that when players feel like they are cared for, being listened to, know what is expected of them, and have a role in accomplishing the team goals, they will go to war for you and for the team."

Brettingen, now a part-time assistant women's soccer coach at Loyola Marymount University and a workshop presenter for Selling for Coaches, will be focusing on several key strategies for creating a cohesive team atmosphere:

• How players are changing, and what coaches can do to cope
• The importance of building solid relationships with your players
• 10 things you need to know about today's players that you are coaching
• How to make your players your #1 recruiters

"Working to develop relationships is most definately a challenging task," says Brettingen.  "However, the rewards for the coach who is committed to building relationships are more motivated, loyal, disciplined, and committed players."

I want to help coaches become more aware how important the coach/player relationship really is this weekend," says Brettingen.  "I also want coaches to able to walk away from this presentation with practical ideas that they can take back and apply immediatly with their athletes.  Then, better coach-player relationships should equal better recruiting becasue bottom line is that the players on your team are going to be your best salespeople.  They will be the ones who make or break you in your recruiting efforts."

Mandy Brettingen is a veteran college soccer coach and a Recruiting Solutions Consultant for Selling for Coaches.  Brettingen has a BA in Psychology from Macalester College and a MS in Sports Psychology from the University of Utah.