Highlight videos are a critical part of the recruiting process, now more than ever before. With small recruiting budgets, college coaches rely on video to evaluate talent. We're including some tips from NCSA Recruiting Coaches on how to make a good highlights video. Be sure to consult your recruiting coach before making any editorial decisions and talk to them about how much your Virtual Tryout is being viewed.
1) Don't produce a film that is shot at either a tight or far angle. Find a happy medium. Coaches want to see the whole play develop to see how the player reacts to each situation.
2) Use film that is clear and each player is easily identified. If coaches can't identify the player they will move on the next film.
3) Don't include mediocre plays that display a weakness in the players skill set. Jumping on a pile or assisted tackles should not be considered highlights. You want to put the players best foot forward. You want to get coaches excited about the player. Let them find the weaknesses in the game film.
4) Include only traditional "highlight" type plays. Look for sacks, knockdowns, interceptions, touchdowns, big hits, great passes and good shots. These should be the types of plays you include on the highlight tape.
5) Baseball coaches want to see a skill set video rather than a highlight tape. They want to know pop times, home to first times, 60-yard dash times, your throwing velocity, etc., etc. It is more important for them to see your fundamentals and ability level rather than actual game film.
6) Keep it short and sweet. Coaches get hundreds of videos and they do not want to waste any more time then is needed (looking at lengthy introductions, etc.) to evaluate the actual play of the player they are watching. It is however ok to include a short introduction stating your name, your high school and your contact information.
7) Include a wide variety of plays. Show coaches all of your talents. Coaches want to see everything you can do, versatility is very important.
8) Don't include highlight music. Most coaches will watch the video with the volume off anyway, but if you do decide to spend the extra time to include music make sure you choose songs that are expectable to a wide range of personality types.
9) Include a copy of a game film on the same DVD as your highlight reel. If coaches are interested in you after watching your highlight reel they are going to want to evaluate game film, you might as well think ahead and already have this available for them.
10) Don't send coaches VHS. DVD's are widely preferred by most coaches.
