Blog
The UFM blog
Scholarships, visas, living far from home, divisions, English: what you need to know before you go to play and study in the United States.
Conditioning4 min read
Physical preparation: arriving ready for the United States
Strength, mobility, conditioning, recovery: why the physical side matters so much in the United States, and how to prepare for it now without skipping steps.
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Life in the US4 min read
Your first weeks in the United States: getting your arrival right
Jet lag, a new school, a new team, a new language: what to expect in the first month, and how to lay solid foundations from day one.
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Family4 min read
The parents' role in a US project: support without carrying it all
Budget, paperwork, decisions, distance: what parents can do to help their child succeed in an American project, and what should stay in the player's hands.
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Choosing a school4 min read
Choosing the right school in the United States: the criteria that really matter
Playing time, academics, budget, daily life, the next step: how to compare offers and choose the school that fits you, not just the best-known one.
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Recruiting4 min read
The recruiting timeline: when to start the process
Video, English, academic record, contact with coaches, visa: what to prepare, and when, so you can leave in the best conditions.
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Academics4 min read
Balancing school and basketball: daily life as a student-athlete
Classes, practice, road trips, homework: what a day in the United States looks like, and how to keep up all season long.
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Choosing a school4 min read
The questions to ask a coach before you commit
Your role, the scholarship, your studies, daily life: what to ask a coach before you say yes to an offer.
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Scholarships5 min read
Athletic scholarships in the US: how they really work
Full ride, partial scholarship, academic aid: what a scholarship really covers, depending on the level and the type of school.
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Visa5 min read
F-1 visa: the steps to study and play in the United States
Form I-20, SEVIS fee, DS-160, embassy interview: the student visa process, step by step.
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Living far from home5 min read
Living far from your family: coping with distance in the United States
Homesickness, the time difference, the first months: our advice for the player, and for the parents back home.
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Divisions5 min read
NCAA, NAIA, JUCO, prep school: understanding the levels of US basketball
High school, prep school, junior college, NCAA D1 to D3, NAIA: who plays where, and how to choose the right level for you.
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English4 min read
English and the TOEFL: the level you need to go
You do not need to be bilingual, but you must be able to follow classes. The tests schools ask for, and how to improve before you leave.
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Recruiting4 min read
Highlight video: what American coaches really look at
Length, the first seconds, framing, full game: the rules of a video that makes a coach want to call you.
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