My Face during the game speaks louder than my words; Why body language is important.

Kelsey Hull
Jan 22
3 min read

Fix your face.

You've heard it yelled from the sideline, whispered by a teammate, or delivered lovingly by a parent who’s tired of watching you look like you just got grounded mid-game. It’s funny, it’s blunt, and it’s absolutely something every athlete should live by—especially if you want to play at the college level.

Because here’s the truth no highlight reel will tell you: bad body language speaks louder than talent.

Coaches Recruit More Than Stats

College coaches don’t just recruit athletes; they recruit people. Yes, speed matters. Yes, strength matters. Yes, skill matters. But when a coach is evaluating you, they’re also asking questions you may not realize:

How does this athlete respond to adversity?
What happens when a call doesn’t go their way?
Do they bring energy—or suck it out of the gym like a broken vacuum?
Will this person make my team better… or louder in the locker room for all the wrong reasons?

Your body language answers those questions before you ever open your mouth.

Slumped shoulders, eye rolls, hands thrown in the air, staring at the ground, or that dramatic exhale after a teammate messes up? Congratulations—you’ve just told a coach exactly who you are under pressure.

And coaches are always watching. Even when you think they’re checking their phone. (Spoiler alert: they’re probably texting another coach about you.)

The Face Tells the Whole Story

You can say all the right things in an email or post the perfect recruiting graphic, but if your face says, “I hate being here,” none of it matters.

That scowl after getting subbed out? That smirk when a teammate gets corrected? That “woe is me” look after a mistake?

That’s not passion. That’s a red flag.

College coaches deal with pressure, alumni, administrators, parents, and athletes who think they should be starting as freshmen. They are not interested in recruiting someone who already looks exhausted by accountability.

Fix your face. Not because you’re not allowed to feel frustrated—but because how you show it defines you.

Poor Attitude Hurts More Than Just You

Bad body language doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It spreads.

One eye roll turns into two. One head shake turns into silence. One negative reaction turns into a sideline that feels tense instead of together.

Teammates notice. Coaches notice. Recruits notice.

And nothing tanks a team faster than an athlete who constantly shows frustration without offering solutions. You don’t have to be the loudest leader—but you do have to be someone others trust in tough moments.

College coaches want athletes who elevate the room, not drain it.

Coaches Talk—A Lot

Here’s something many recruits' underestimate: coaches talk to each other.

High school coaches. Club coaches. Trainers. Strength coaches. Tournament directors. Even officials sometimes.

If your reputation is:

“Talented, but difficult”
“Great athlete, bad body language”
“Struggles with coaching”
“Negative when things don’t go their way”

That follows you faster than your fastest 40-yard dash.

A coach can teach technique. They can build strength. They can improve skill. What they don’t want to do is babysit emotional maturity.

Hustle Covers a Multitude of Sins

Missed a shot? Sprint back. Made a mistake? Clap for your teammate. On the bench? Be the loudest supporter in the gym.

Hustle and positive body language won’t make you perfect—but they’ll make you recruitable.

Coaches love athletes who compete with their body, not just their mouth. Energy is contagious, and effort is undeniable.

You don’t have to fake happiness. You just have to show commitment.

Humor Check: You’re Not in a Movie

This isn’t a dramatic sports montage where sulking somehow makes you look intense and misunderstood. No coach is saying, “I love that kid—did you see the way they stared into the distance after striking out?”

They’re saying, “Can they handle adversity?”

And the answer is written all over your posture.