As a high school player at Select Soccer Club, now is the perfect time to start building your college recruiting video. Whether you’re a freshman, sophomore, or junior, getting a head start will save you stress later and help you showcase your skills effectively to college coaches.
A recruiting video is often a coach’s first impression of you as a player, so making it count is essential. Below, we’ve broken down the steps to create a standout highlight video that grabs a coach’s attention and sets you up for success.
Step 1: Gather Your Footage
The hardest part of creating a recruiting video is gathering quality footage. Start by reaching out to your club and high school team parents who film games regularly. Ask for any videos they’ve captured and begin organizing clips of your performances. Building a library of clips now will save you time later.
Step 2: Understand the Goal of Your Video
Remember, a highlight video alone won’t guarantee you a spot on a team. Its purpose is to spark interest from college coaches, leading to further evaluation. Coaches may follow up by requesting:
Your schedule for upcoming tournaments.
- Additional full-game footage.
- Academic transcripts.
Step 3: Create a Highlight Video
Highlight vs. Full-Game Video
Coaches are often short on time and prefer to start with a highlight video. If your highlights impress them, they may ask for full-game footage to evaluate your play in greater detail.
Label Your Video
Make it easy for coaches to identify and contact you. Include the following details in the video title, on your YouTube channel, and as the opening frame of the video:
- Your full name
- Graduation year
- Team name
- Position
- Contact information
For full-game footage, also add:
- Opponent’s name
- Game date
- Venue
Identify Yourself in Each Clip
Help coaches locate you in the video by marking yourself with an arrow, circle, or spotlight in each clip. Use video editing tools to ensure you stand out immediately.
Prioritize Quality
- Use a tripod for steady footage.
- Film from the center of the field at an elevated angle to capture the action and allow coaches to see plays develop.
- If the audio is distracting, remove it during editing.
Showcase Your Best Attributes
Highlight your top skills and include a range of abilities, such as:
- Tackling
- Passing under pressure
- Finishing
- Heading
- Creating scoring opportunities
Add a few seconds before and after each play to give coaches context. Always use current footage—your standout moment in 7th grade isn’t relevant anymore.
Keep It Concise
A recruiting video should be under five minutes. Coaches will decide quickly if they’re interested, so put your best plays in the first 30 seconds.
Step 4: Make Your Video Easy to Watch
Upload your video to YouTube or a similar platform and share the link in your emails to coaches. This ensures your video is just one click away.
Step 5: Consider Professional Help (Optional)
If editing isn’t your strong suit, ask a friend for help or explore professional services that specialize in recruiting videos. However, most players can handle the basics with tools like iMovie or other accessible editing software.
Get Started Today!
Making a college recruiting video might feel overwhelming, but starting early and following these steps will make the process manageable. With a little effort, you’ll have a polished highlight reel ready to share with coaches and take the next step toward your soccer dreams.
For more resources and tips, check out How to Make a Soccer Highlight Video!
