Creating highlight videos is a key part of the recruiting process for most sports, but in terms of basketball, many coaches prefer to see the whole game film:
“It doesn't take as long [to watch the whole basketball game.] I can fast forward and, in 35 minutes, see everything I need to see. In game film, you can pick up on things not shown in a highlight tape: hustle, body language, the competition, rapport.”
Bill Battaglia, former DIII Assistant Coach
However, “Coaches ask for highlights initially to get their attention, and later [ask for full game] film.”
So, what else can college coaches pick up on, and how can you create an enticing enough highlight video to get their attention? We've put together 5 tips from Bill Battaglia, the former Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Wesleyan University when creating highlight videos for college coaches.
1. Show worthwhile clips: “An outside-shot film of a center is not worthwhile.” It's cool if you're a center who can shoot from the outside, but that's not what you're being recruited to do at the next level. It won't be worth a coach's time to watch a highlight video full of shots you won't be taking or moves you won't be making once you're on their team, so make sure to focus your highlight video on the position you're being recruited to play.
Related: Dos and Don'ts of Your Basketball Highlight Reel from College Coaches
2. Pay attention to the background: Coaches pick up on the finer details in your highlight video, like whether the background changes or stays the same throughout. If all of your clips have the same background, chances are, you just had one good game. However, you don't want too many clips – ie a ton of clips of the same shot with different backgrounds – or coaches will know that you just made one good shot per game.
3. Watch the scoreboard: You might have a really impressive game, but coaches will check the scoreboard when they watch your film. If you're team is winning 100 to 10, chances are that you aren't an awesome player, “ the other team is [just] not that good.” Coaches want to see how you handle yourself against tough competition, so show that in your highlight video.
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4. Reflect your stats in the video: If you boast fantastic stats, your highlight video should reflect those stats. This goes with keeping your clips relevant: coaches want to see proof that you can do what you're being recruited to do. If you're a 6'5” center, show the rebounds and blocks you're so well-known for.
5. Be as thorough as possible: Without making the video too long, include everything you need to show the coach who you are as a player. Include clips that show your hustle and show that you can back up your stats. Coaches “can tell when someone is scraping together highlight tape.”
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* Originally published on January 27, 2022, by Jaime Evers
