It is really very simple. The thing is that it is not easy to do.
Woman/Girls are just normal people. There is no thing that prevents you from understanding them any more than there are things that prevent you to understand men or female people like your sister or your mother.
It is also very normal for humans to have friends. It is very normal for humans to find some people interesting, nice or funny. It is also very normal for people to look for new friends.
So what you want to do is tell her, very casually and cool without implying anything, that you think she is funny or interesting or that she has hobbies that are interesting. Of course assuming that this is all true and she isn't just a distant pretty girl you have a crush on while not knowing anything about her.
So returning to what I said. It is very important for you to give her the idea that you aren't interested in romance or dating per se but that you are just a honest social open guy that just bluntly compliments people sometimes. So say it without asking for a date or looking shy. And, again, do it without sounding like someone who really wants to have a girlfriend.
The things you say must appear to be gender-independent.
To do this you have to mean this. If you don't then it doesn't only not work; it will be meaningless.
So what I am saying. Treat her like if she were a boy. I mean, people generally treat only their own gender people as real people. When they socialize with someone of the oppisite sex they start to act, play games, etc.
So get rid off romance-pressure. Develop honest healthy relationships with females you like. Even if you think they could never be your girlfriend; doesn't matter.
This way you also do not need the 'guts' to 'make a move' or to be a 'player'.
I mean, you could also walk up to her, give her a compliment and then propose a date. But if she rejects there may be thousands of reasons.
I mean, what would you do when a girl you don't know at all or a girl that you know only a little suddenly walks up to you and asks you for your telephone number or for a date? I would say 'no' regardless of what I think about them. I mean, I would be amused but interested; don't know.
So an element is also that you need to accept that you are young and that we all have to learn, or rather un-learn, how to treat people of the opposite sex. If you feel the pressure of failure then you will not have any guts. But don't think about it as so serious a thing. She is just a person. You are just a person. All people need friendships.
If people aren't interested then that is fine. If they are it is just as fine. Don't make such a big deal about it. Just be a 'giving person', rather than a 'needing person'. Then see who returns.
If you just take out some male friends in your class out for a drink you can just as well offer the same thing to a few of your female friends. It would be the same thing. For example, if you end up chatting with a male classmate about the new James Bond movie and just invite him to watch it together you can just as easily have a 'innocent and fun' quasi-date with a female who shares in interest with you in some other kind of movie. Or maybe also James Bond.
So don't go out on 'dates' when you 'need' something because you have a crush and hormones force you to do so.
You have found a person that is a potentional new friend. That's it. Whatever ends up happening and what type of friendship may turn out isn't that important.
So, it's really simple but hard to do.
As for 'players'. They don't exist. These are people that find weak people that can be used. Which they can dominate in a relationship. Unequal friendship should generally be avoided. Friends aren't your parents.
On the other side you have people that are confident, relaxed and social. They aren't bend on finding new friends, dating more woman. But they are just always open to other people.
You don't have the guts. So what are you afraid of? I mean, it's very normal. But that doesn't mean it makes sense; it isn't rational.
That's my early morning rant, I guess.
Topic: How to approach a girl