Congratulations.

If you’re a member of one of the 64 teams that have qualified for the Development Academy Playoffs beginning today you’ve just completed the first step to reaching the college program of your choice.

Now all you have to do is be noticeable.

You don’t have to be the ultimate goal-scorer like Texas Rush’s Kekuta Manneh or Charlotte Soccer Academy’s Ben Burdon to do it, either.

It doesn’t require you be a killer midfielder like De Anza Force’s Ryan Masch, Chicago Fire’s Drew Conner or LA Galaxy’s Sagar Jambusaria, or that you be in the defending category of FC Dallas’ Jack Coleman or Michael Ambrose.

If you’ve made it this far, you already have a shot.  

The Academy Playoffs, played June 24-28 in Frisco, Texas, is not only one of the biggest events of the year for a player, it’s also a great big permanent-red-ink-calendar-circler for the college coach.

“This is without a doubt one of the biggest events of the year for coaches,” said Cal Poly(m) head coach Paul Holocher. “With all these clubs and players from 2011 (graduates) to 2014, it gives us a chance to really scout for upcoming years.”

Oh, there will be scouting. Droves of Division I, II and III coaches alike will line the sidelines with their notebooks in hand, searching for future contributors.

Maybe, searching for you.

We spoke to a couple coaches on their way to Texas, inquiring about their recruiting process and what exactly they’re looking for when they watch a match. You want to be noticed during these playoffs? This is how you do it.

Reach out to programs that interest you

You have to make the first move. By the time a college coach arrives at these playoffs they’ve already mapped out their schedule for each day, meaning they know exactly which matches and players they’ll be watching at which times. If you’ve reached out to a program and shown interest, you can believe you’ll be at the top of a coach’s priority list.

Make your team better   

Another priority for a college coach? Watching the best teams. Coaches want to see how their prospects perform against the top competition, so even if a coach isn’t familiar with your name you can find yourself playing your way onto his radar if you’re a member of a quality team.

Compete with enthusiasm

Talk to your teammates; hustle back, do the little things. It’s not all athleticism and goal-scoring – coaches scout with a trained eye that sees beyond conspicuous ability. Above all else, they want to watch the way you approach the game.

“The first thing you notice is the attitude of a player on the field. That’s what attracts attention,” said UCF(m) assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Mauricio Ruiz. “From there, you can dissect a player’s skill level. But you’re first looking at his energy and attitude. Is he a leader? Does he work hard? These are the things you want for your program.”

Play like someone is watching

Maybe a coach took a wrong turn and mistakenly ended up at your match; maybe he retreated to a patch of shade that just happened to be next to the field you’re playing on. With the number of programs that’ll be represented this week, odds are you’re bound to be observed by a coach at some point. So every moment could be your golden opportunity.

“It always happens during the week: you’re watching a match for a certain player and you end up finding someone else,” Ruiz said. “Sometimes, you might just be walking past a game and realize there’s good soccer being played, so you sit and watch and end up identifying other good players. It’s pretty common.”

Coaches are naturally drawn to quality soccer no matter where it comes from or how it fits into their schedule.

“You always look for players that catch your eye,” Holocher said. “When you see players that make positive impacts on the game, you watch. Sometimes they have intangibles, or do little things. If you see it, you’re going to watch.”

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