Highlight Video Guide
Learn how to create compelling highlight videos that showcase your athletic skills to NCAA coaches. A professional highlight reel is essential for recruitment success.
Why Your Highlight Video Matters
College coaches receive hundreds of recruitment inquiries. A well-crafted highlight video is often the first impression they'll have of your athletic abilities. It can open doors to scholarship opportunities and official visits.
First Impression
Coaches watch videos before reading emails or resumes
Time Efficient
Coaches can evaluate 100+ athletes quickly
Showcase Skills
Highlight your best plays and abilities
Video Specifications & Format
Technical Requirements
- Length: 3-5 minutes (maximum 6 minutes)
- Resolution: 1080p HD minimum (1920x1080)
- Format: MP4, MOV, or AVI
- Frame Rate: 30 or 60 fps
- Audio: Optional music (no profanity), commentary not required
Platform Hosting
YouTube (Recommended)
- Free, unlimited hosting
- Easy sharing via link
- Mobile-friendly playback
- Can set to "Unlisted" for privacy
Vimeo
- Professional appearance
- Good privacy controls
- High-quality playback
Avoid sending large video files via email. Always use a hosted link.
Video Content Structure
Opening Title (5-10 seconds)
Include:
- Full Name
- Graduation Year (e.g., "Class of 2026")
- Position(s)
- Current Team/Club
- Jersey Number (optional)
- Contact: Email and Phone
Main Highlight Content (2.5-4.5 minutes)
✓ What to Include
- Best plays from recent competitions
- Variety of skills specific to your sport
- Game situations (not just drills)
- Different camera angles when possible
- Plays showing decision-making
- Athletic movements (speed, agility)
- Team play and leadership moments
✗ What to Avoid
- Long setup shots or dead time
- Plays where you're barely visible
- Low-quality or blurry footage
- Too much celebration footage
- Repetitive plays
- Plays against weak competition only
- Excessive slow-motion
Closing Title (5 seconds)
Repeat contact information:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Link to athletic profile or social media (optional)
Sport-Specific Tips
Basketball
- Include shooting from various spots
- Ball-handling in traffic
- Defensive plays and rebounds
- Court vision/passing ability
- Fast break situations
Soccer
- Both feet skills
- Passing accuracy (short & long)
- 1v1 situations
- Shots on goal
- Defensive positioning
Volleyball
- Serving (different types)
- Attacking from multiple positions
- Blocking technique
- Passing and setting
- Defensive digs
Football
- Position-specific skills
- Speed in open field
- Blocking/tackling technique
- Route running (receivers)
- Arm strength (QB/DB)
Baseball/Softball
- Hitting from both sides (if applicable)
- Fielding at primary position(s)
- Throwing accuracy and arm strength
- Base running speed
- Pitching (if applicable)
Swimming/Track
- Include race times on screen
- Multiple events/distances
- Start and finish technique
- Turns (swimming)
- Split times if available
Production & Editing Tips
Filming Tips
- Film from elevated positions when possible (better view of field/court)
- Use a tripod or stabilizer for steady footage
- Follow the action - keep yourself in frame
- Film multiple games/competitions for variety
- Ensure good lighting - avoid backlit situations
Editing Tips
- Start strong - open with your best 2-3 plays
- Pace: 3-5 seconds per clip average
- Use smooth transitions (simple cuts work best)
- Add text overlays for context when helpful
- End strong - save a great play for the finish
Recommended Editing Software
Free Options
- iMovie (Mac/iOS)
- DaVinci Resolve
- Shotcut
- Windows Video Editor
Paid Options
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Final Cut Pro
- Filmora
- Vegas Pro
Mobile Apps
- Hudl Highlight
- InShot
- CapCut
- iMovie (iOS)
Tips for International Athletes
- Include competition level context (national team, premier league, etc.)
- Add text noting level of competition if not obvious (e.g., "vs. National Team")
- Consider including metric measurements (height, speed) alongside imperial
- Ensure contact information includes country code for phone number
- If games have foreign language commentary, that's fine - coaches focus on play
Pre-Upload Checklist
Ready to Create Your Highlight Video?
Start filming your best plays and build a video that will catch coaches' attention.