Please follow the guidelines below when submitting video for your NCSA Scouting Report. This will ensure that once we receive your video it can be edited quickly and uploaded as fast as possible. See the Video FAQ for answers to common questions.
NCSA strongly recommends that you submit varsity level or equivalent club footage when creating a video. Freshman/Sophomore/JV footage is generally not recommended.
Resources:
What Type of Footage to Send:
- Field Players: Game footage
- Generally one to two matches is sufficient, but if you are not able to log 40 worthy plays you may send additional games.
- Choose your best personal match against the best opponent.
- Goal Keepers: Half game footage and half skills footage will be beneficial. Skills footage should be no longer than 10 minutes in its raw form.
- Outdoor footage only
- Only exception is a senior with no outdoor footage
- Play in a facility without walls and 11 by 11 dimensions.
- Acceptable formats: a standard DVD that plays on any external DVD player as well as several digital files sent by way of USB thumb drive, data disc (DVD/CD), or through yousendit.com. (.MPG, .MPEG, .MOV, .WMV) Here is a link describing the structure of a DVD if you wish to electronically send the footage from your standard DVD.( http://club.cdfreaks.com/f72/tutorial-dvd-video-file-structure-77646/)
- Unacceptable formats: music CD, VHS, HI-8, or Mini DV tape and several digital files (.AVI, .MSWMM, .MP4, .VRO, .WPL, .ASX)
- Always test your DVD on your computer AND a DVD player to be sure it plays.
How to Film:
- Tape from a high perspective when possible (at least several feet from the ground).
- A tripod is highly recommended.
- Do not zoom in and out. The wider the angle the better, don’t lose track of the ball.
- Imagine the field separated into thirds (offensive, middle, defensive). When the ball is in the offensive or defensive third of the field, film the entire 18-yard box. When the ball is in the middle of the field, film the entire middle third.
- Show enough of the field so that we are able to see the player’s vision, runs with and without the ball, use of space, combinations with teammates, etc.
- Coaches want to see the progression and finish of each play so you need a wide enough angle to capture multiple players. They also want to see foot skills and technical abilities, so do not lose focus on the primary player you are recording
Log for Highlight Video:
- All footage over 5 minutes must be accompanied by a Video Log.
- Please see the sample Video Log for your sport and use the blank copy to log your footage.
- You may email or mail the completed Video Log to NCSA.
- Only log plays you would want included in your highlight video.
- All logged footage will be considered.
- Include at least 20 plays, but not more than 40 on your Video Log.
- Be sure your DVD/Computer timer is at 0:00 before logging your footage.
- Fill out the Video Log completely.
- For match footage the time recorded on the Video Log should be 5 seconds before the play starts and follow the play after the ball is played.
- For Goalies log skills footage in groups (see sample Video Log). Log the time you start and finish your skill set. Try to show your skills done well in succession. You should show 3-5 of your skill back to back without having to edit in between.
Position Specific Inclusions:
- Field Player: match footage only
- Goals, shots on goal, assists
- Crosses, clears
- Corner kicks, goal kicks
- Traps from the air, headers
- Steals, tackles
- Passes: clean passes to a teammate, 1 touch, give-n-go's, thru balls, possession
- Ball Handling - 1 v 1 moves, shielding, keeping possession
- Good runs
- Goalies: skills footage and match footage
- Include diving to your left and right (low and high shots)
- High Balls - collecting and punching crosses
- Breakaways - how well you cut the angles and do sliding saves
- Punts - follow the ball to see distance
- Goal Kicks
Sample Video
Please Mail DVD to:
-
NCSA
Attn:Soccer Videos
1415 N Dayton St, 4th Floor
Chicago, IL 60642
Upload Your Video
Please use the student-athlete's primary email address when uploading video. The primary email address is the one that appears on your NCSA Scouting Report. Additionally, please include the student-athlete's full name and sport in the message field.
What NCSA will do with your video:
- Inform you when we receive your video via email. If the footage does not follow the guidelines NCSA will mail it back to the address from which is was received. Otherwise, your footage will not be returned.
- Evaluate up to 40 logged plays you send in
- Select 20-40 of your best plays
- Edit the footage in to a 2-3 minute highlight
- Upload your footage to your scouting report and also post a link on YouTube.
- Inform you when your video is complete!
The highlight video for your NCSA Scouting Report is meant to attract initial interest and allow for initial evaluation. Coaches may still want to see you compete in person or view unedited video to fully evaluate your abilities.
If you have any questions, please contact NCSA Member Services at 888-333-6846.
Video FAQ
How many videos are included in my NCSA membership?
The number of videos is dependant on your NCSA membership.
- Recruit-Match – One edited, spot shadowed highlight or skills video.
- Recruit-MatchPLUS – Two edited, spot shadowed highlight or skills videos.
- Pro-Match – Three edited, spot shadowed highlight or skills videos. One full length, spot shadowed game film. Evaluation of video is available.
- Premier-Match – Four edited, spot shadowed highlight or skills videos. Three full length, spot shadowed game films. Evaluation of video is available.
When should I send film for my highlight video?
It depends on your age, ability level, and NCSA membership. Most student athletes will want a new video each year to show their progression. As a senior you should send in film immediately. If you are a DI caliber athlete you will want footage on your scouting report by junior year at the latest, but more likely sophomore year. A freshman should only add video if they are a top DI prospect, otherwise it is best to wait until you develop. Talk to Member Services or your Recruiting Coach about the best options for you.
Should I send in freshman, sophomore, or JV footage for a video?
In almost all cases, NCSA will not use freshman, sophomore, or JV footage for a video. If you are a member of the Pro-Match or Premier-Match memberships you are encouraged, however, to send in footage for evaluation purposes.
I am not sure the footage I am sending is good enough for an NCSA video. How can I get my footage evaluated first? What happens if my video is not good enough?
If the footage you send to NCSA is not usable for your video (not good enough, not enough footage, wrong format) we will contact you about submitting more footage. Otherwise, your footage will be edited and uploaded to the scouting report.
If you are a member of the Pro-Match or Premier-Match membership you may also submit footage for evaluation by a recruiting coach. Be sure to send a note with your video that it is for evaluation only. You should also include whether it should be used for a Video if the recruiting coach thinks the footage is worthy.
Should I create an introduction to include along with my video?
After polling hundreds of college coaches at all divisions, NCSA has determined that the majority of college coaches do not place much value in a student-athlete’s introduction. Those coaches who do watch introductions analyze a student-athlete’s poise and communication skills. If you feel that you are articulate and comfortable in front of a camera and you choose to submit an introduction to NCSA, a Recruiting Coach will analyze your DVD and use his/her professional discretion to determine whether or not the clip will enhance your NCSA Video. An introduction should ideally be 10-20 seconds.
How do I know whether to send game footage or skills footage?
See your sport specific recruiting guidelines which will describe the best footage to send. Most sports will use competition video. Skills footage is required for softball, baseball, tennis, golf and goalies (soccer, field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse). Skills footage may be helpful, but not necessary in volleyball and for a kicker in football.
I have video, but it’s on a format NCSA does not accept. What do I do?
There are many places that help you transfer your footage to a DVD. Try Walgreens or a camera store such as Ritz or Wolfe. See the video guidelines for a complete list of accepted formats.
How do I email a video file to NCSA?
We do not recommend that you email NCSA a large file as an attachment. Instead there is a website we recommend called ¬www.yousendit.com. The yousendit website is a giant server where the file is uploaded. This means that you will send the video file to NCSA as a link in an email instead of an attachment. The receiver (NCSA) will download the file. This allows you to send video files much more effectively.
You may upload and send your video to us by going to http://dropbox.yousendit.com/ncsasports.
When using this feature we do ask that you include the total length of the video for our office team's use.
Why do the video guidelines say I need to test my video on my computer AND another DVD player?
Some un-finalized DVDs may play on the machine from which it was burned, but not work in any other machine. Be sure to test your DVD to avoid delaying your video editing process.
I created my DVD, but it won’t play on a DVD player. What is the problem?
If a DVD does not play you may not have finalized it properly. If that is the case, you must re-burn your DVD and finalize it. You may also have saved it in an unusable format. See the video guidelines for a complete list of accepted formats.
Why do I need to log my footage before sending it to NCSA?
NCSA has you log your footage for several reasons:
- It allows a much faster turn around time for our video department to edit and evaluate your footage. We know you want your video as quick as possible.
- It is often difficult for our editors and recruiting coaches to pick you out of the footage. You are easily able to pick yourself out of the line-up. The log ensures that there are no errors.
- You are aware of which games and performances were your best because you played in them! You know which skills are showing you at your best. We don’t want to miss any of your top plays.
How do I log my footage?
Please go to your recruiting toolbox and click on the Video Guidelines for a sample log for your sport and specific instructions.
I don’t see a timer on my DVD player, what do I do?
If your DVD player has no timer you can usually hit display on your remote and the time will appear on your television. You may also use Windows Media Player, Windows Flash Player, or a comparable program on your computer which will show you the timer.
How many DVD’s may I send in?
You may send in as many DVD’s as you like as long your total logged footage does not exceed the maximum for your sport (40 plays or 7 minutes). Most student-athletes send 1-2 DVD’s.
Will my footage be returned after I send it to NCSA?
No. NCSA does not return footage so be sure to keep your original if you need it.
I mailed my footage to NCSA and they should have received it by now, what should I do?
NCSA has a system of checking incoming mail to ensure all videos are handled properly. NCSA will email you within 48 business hours of receiving the video in our office. There is no need to email or call NCSA unless it has been over 48 business hours since your tracking system says the package has been received. We will get to your video as soon as possible.
We recommend using a track-able mailing service, however if you are sending video regular mail, please be aware that the Postal Service in Chicago often runs slow. You should allow an extra few days for the package to arrive.
How long will it take for my video to be completed?
The videos generally take 10-15 business days from the date we receive them in our office.
Can I upload my video on my own?
No. You must send your footage to NCSA to upload even if it is pre-edited.
Why are the highlight videos 2-3 minutes?
We find that coaches use a highlight video to see you at your best and only tend to watch the first few plays or minute of footage. The additional footage is not necessary for this purpose. We also find that most athletes do not have enough great footage to fill over 2-3 minutes. We want to show you at your very best. You will choose your best "wow factor" plays for the video, ones that will make a coach say “I want to see this student-athlete in person or a whole game film.”
Will my highlight video on the NCSA site be enough for coaches to fully evaluate my talent for their program?
Most likely no. The highlight video for your NCSA Scouting Report is meant to attract initial interest and allow for initial evaluation. The purpose is to "bait" the coach’s interest. That is different than an unedited video you may end up providing coaches directly. Most coaches will still want to see you compete in person or view unedited video to fully evaluate your abilities. Pick out a full, unedited competition tape to send to coaches after they have viewed your 2-3 minute highlight. You want to pick a performance where you played well and that shows your true ability. There is no need to make this fancy! It should allow a coach to fully evaluate your playing ability and therefore should not be edited. It should run less than an hour.
The Pro-Match and Premier-Match memberships allow you to upload full game film to your scouting report.
How do I get a hard copy of my NCSA highlight video?
Members of our Premier Match membership may request 25 hard copies, but they must all be shipped at the same time. Pro-Match members may request up to 10 copies which must all be shipped at the same time. For all other memberships, the cost of one highlight DVD is $25 or 10 copies for $100. You are also free to create copies of the DVD at home once you buy the initial copy.Keep in mind that you may also email the scouting report link to the college coaches, that way they have the video and all other necessary information in an easy to use email format.
A college coach told me they are having problems viewing the video/scouting report. What is wrong?
Most likely the coach has a firewall or needs to update the most recent version of Flash Player at www.adobe.com. If that does not work, please contact NCSA and we will contact the coach to resolve the issue.
Why are the videos uploaded to YouTube?
NCSA uploads your completed videos to YouTube for your convenience, so you may add the links to Facebook, Myspace, or other sites online.
I am a senior and I didn’t use all of the NCSA videos included in my membership. Can I get a refund?
NCSA does not issue refunds for videos as individual items because they are a part of the entire specific membership.
I sent in 40 plays, but only 20 were used for my video. Why weren’t all the plays added?
The recruiting coach evaluates your footage and only adds your very best plays/footage. Our recruiting coaches are highly trained and know what plays will impress a college coach. We are only going to add footage that will help you get recruited.
Why isn't every play spot shadowed in my video?
Some positions are easily distinguishable by college coaches and do not require the spot shadow to identify the athlete. Too much spot shadowing will distract a coach from the footage. NCSA is going to spot shadow you when we feel necessary in order to show you in the best light for coaches.
I sent in a video with music and sound, why was it taken out in the final version?
College coaches are only interested in seeing your playing ability, not your music choice. Music or background noise can be distracting. You also don’t want to offend any coaches with your music choices.
Does NCSA use slow-motion plays in the online video?
No. In almost all cases we will edit out the slow-motion plays. NCSA does not add them in either. Coaches have indicated they are not helpful.
My video skips when I watch it. What is the problem?
You most likely need to update to a new version of Flash by going to www.abode.com. If that does not work, go to www.java.com and update to the newest version. Be sure to re-boot your computer afterwards.
What do I do with my video once it’s complete?
You may send out your scouting report link to coaches you are interested in. You may also share the link with coaches who have already contacted you. Be sure to ask them for feedback about your ability. Feel free to share the scouting report with friends and family as well.
What does NCSA do with my video once it’s complete?
If your scouting report is now finalized after creating your video (you have everything we need on it), then it will be sent out to coaches for the first time after your video is uploaded. NCSA will send any new video out to coaches within 10 days of completion for Pro-Match and Premier-Match memberships.
Can I add plays to a video that has already been created?
You must send in ALL footage for a video at the same time. The video is uploaded once and no further footage may be added. If you have additional footage you would like to add to your scouting report, you must create a new video (either use one that comes with your membership or purchase a new one).
I’d like to have another video added to my scouting report, but I already used the one(s) included in my membership. What do I do?
You may purchase additional videos by calling Member Services at 888-333-6846.
