One of the best tools to use as a student-athlete trying to get recruited is a highlight reel. It is quick and easy for coaches to watch and get an idea of who the athlete is before they further pursue them in the recruiting process. This is essentially a coach's first impression of you, so showcasing your talent in an effective way is crucial. This leads us to our first tip…
Related Articles: Dos and Don'ts of Making Highlight Videos for Athletes
1. Include an Information Slide
The first slide should include valuable information like your name, graduation year, height, approach jump, block jump, jersey number, position, and club team name. They need to know who you are!
2. Come out with a bang
Coaches normally watch the first 10-20 seconds and determine if they like you and want to keep watching or not. Putting your best footage first will capture the coach's attention right away.
3. Keep it short & sweet
A 3-5 minute video is perfect. Make sure it shows multiple repetitions of a skill sets specific to your position. For example, if you're an outside hitter, you should include 3-5 reps of you hitting deep cross, sharp cross, and line.
Related Articles: Hudl | A Great Resource for Recruits Who Need to Make a Highlight Video
4. Avoid shaky video
Set the camera up on the baseline of the same side you're playing on and leave it there for the whole set. Make sure you can see the whole court and not too many of the fans walking around. Do not have a person hold the camera; if the video is too shaky, the coach will get motion sick before they even get to see you play.
5. Show versatility
Even though volleyball is a position-based sport, showing you can do multiple positions is important. It shows you are a well-rounded athlete that is coachable and willing to do other things to help your team. If there is time, try to incorporate a few other skill sets to impress the coaches. Don't focus on these, however, because they are likely not the main skill you're being recruited to play.
Related: Tips on Being a “Coachable” Player
6. Add an indicator
Before each clip, you should have a shadow or arrow that shows where you are on the court. This helps the coach identify you quickly and not have to question who they should be looking at.
7. Contact Information
At the end of your video, you should add your contact information: phone number, email, and social media. After all, they need to contact you for more game film after your awesome highlight reel.
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* Originally published on February 8, 2022, by Anna Garrett
