One Post Can Cost Everything
Why Every Parent Needs to Teach Their Athlete to ‘Pause Before You Post'
Let’s have a real conversation.
You’ve spent thousands on training.
You’ve driven hours for tournaments.
You’ve cheered until your throat gave out.
And yet, all it takes is one dumb post, a joke gone wrong, a song lyric out of context, a video they thought would “get likes” to blow the whole thing up.
That scholarship they’re chasing?
Gone.
That coach who was watching?
Unfollowed.
That opportunity to level up in that specific area of life?
Dead in the feed.
And here’s the part that stings…
It didn’t have to happen.
Credit Where It’s Due: “Pause Before You Post”
Back in 2017, Chris Battaglia, an athletic director who had seen it all, coined the phrase “Pause Before You Post.” He wasn’t trying to go viral; he was trying to save futures.
It was a simple call to action: Think before you post, because in today’s world, recruiters aren’t just watching film, they’re watching your kid’s digital footprint.
Let me be blunt:
Colleges aren’t just scouting athletes; they’re scouting characters that will play a role in their program, and nobody wants someone to bring a bad light to any program, so those types of characters get cut.
The only pass that is given is to the genetic freaks out there, who will have their past overlooked and grades fudged because they are that good at their craft. But that’s a conversation for another day, and it only applies to the top 1% of 1% of athletes; you’d already know if that applied to you.
Like it or not, social media is the resume your kid never meant to submit.
Parents, This Is Your Fight Too
Don’t fall into the trap of “they’re just being kids.”
This isn’t the world you grew up in, there’s no rewind button online, and that video, that tweet, that story - they’re forever.
You want to support your athlete?
Then help them learn the difference between self-expression, social media maturity, and self-censorship…
Each is unique in the way it is to be handled, and each will influence how the world judges your child:
Sit down with them and review their posts, as well as the posts of others, to see what they think.
Discuss how their profile reflects their goals, and whether what they are posting aligns with who they are.
Most importantly, explain why it matters.
You’d never expect your kid to show up to a recruiting meeting drunk, shirtless, and screaming profanity - so why is their Instagram doing it?
This Is Why I Created the Athlete Social Media Playbook
If your child is serious about playing in college, then you need to be serious about how they present themselves online.
I created the Athlete Social Media Playbook because I’ve seen too many people miss out on opportunities, not due to a lack of talent, but because they didn’t know how to effectively represent themselves in the digital world.
As a professional Photographer, I also understand the role quality content can play in capturing attention.
Inside my guide, you’ll get:
Step-by-step strategies to build a strong, clean, and coach-worthy profile
Real examples of what scouts love, and what makes them walk away
Tips to turn their social media into a recruiting asset (not a liability)
This isn’t fluff; this is your kid’s name, image, and future.
This Is Bigger Than Likes
A college scholarship is worth tens of thousands of dollars.
A professional career?
Perhaps hundreds of thousands more.
“Social media isn’t a guarantee that an opportunity will open, but it should never be the reason the door closes.” - Zac Small
Teach your child to pause before they post, and if you need help showing them how, start with the Playbook.
This world doesn’t give do-overs, but it does reward those who think before they post.
Let’s raise smarter athletes.
Let’s help them protect their future.
And let’s make sure their digital presence works for them, not against them.
- Zac Small
PS: I got a speeding ticket yesterday, to celebrate that, I’ve created a 25% off code ‘70in55’, use that to save some $$$ while you learn how to prevent your athlete from losing some $$$,$$$