First impressions always matter – whether you’re on the field (the ice or the court) or off. So think of your skills video or highlight reel like the first shot at an amazing first impression … and remember, you may only get one.
It’s your athletic résumé and a showcase of what you bring to the team. With so many athletes vying for attention, having a reel that captures not just your skills but also your strengths and personality can be a game-changer for your recruitment journey.
Why You Need a Highlight Reel
Coaches don’t have time to attend every game or sift through hours of footage. So a well-done highlight reel does the hard work for them, presenting your skills, abilities, personality, and fit for the team in a clear, concise, and compelling way.
So why do you need a highlight reel?
- Saves Time: Coaches can quickly assess your skills without having to attend games in person.
- Expands Your Reach: A video can be shared widely across platforms, recruitment sites, and direct to email to increase your visibility to schools you might not have otherwise had access to.
- Demonstrates Proactivity: Creating a reel shows coaches that you take your athletic career seriously, you’re committed to excellence, and you are proactive about pursuing that team (which we highly, highly recommend).
What to Include in Your Highlight Reel
A good highlight reel isn’t just a compilation of flashy plays or quick wins.
Your highlight reel/skills video needs to give a well-rounded view of your talent, unique skills, work ethic, and sports IQ. Here’s what you should include:
- Key Skills: Focus on your strongest skills, whether it’s speed, technique, ball-handling, shooting, passing, defense, or leadership.
- Game Highlights: Include footage from actual games, not just practice sessions or scrimmages.
- Diversity of Plays: Showcase a variety of plays to highlight your versatility. For example, include goals, assists, and defensive plays.
- Context: Make sure the clips are from relevant games. Coaches want to see you perform under pressure, especially in competitive or high-stakes situations.
- Physical Attributes: Don’t shy away from showing how you move — whether it’s your speed, agility, or explosiveness.
6 Ways to Make Your Highlight Reel Stand Out
The competition is fierce, so your highlight reel needs to do more than just show your skills — it needs to make an impact (and be memorable!):
Quality over Quantity: A reel should be between 3 to 5 minutes. Only include your best plays and avoid overstuffing it with mediocre footage. Keep the edit tight, and don’t let it drag on.
Strong Opening: Your first 10-15 seconds should feature a big play or key moment to grab attention.
Professional Editing: Make sure the video is clean, with clear footage and smooth transitions. Try free (or paid) editing software options to piece together your footage, like iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro, or Windows Movie Maker.
Clear Footage: Ensure the footage is high-quality and well-lit. Avoid dark or grainy footage that makes it hard for coaches to see your skills.
Add Your Stats and Info: Include your name, position, team, and any relevant statistics or accomplishments. If possible, add a brief highlight of your academic achievements or any personal bests (because, as you know, this MATTERS).
Choose the Right Music: Use music that complements the pace of your play but doesn’t overpower the video. Keep it professional, and avoid loud or distracting tracks.
How to Share Your Skills Reel When It’s Game-Ready
Once your highlight reel is polished and ready to impress, the next step is to make sure it gets in front of the right people. So how should you share your excellent, high-quality, you’re-about-to-get-recruited highlight reel?
- Upload to Platforms: Post your video on YouTube, Hudl, or Vimeo for easy sharing. Optimize the title with your name, sport, position, and graduation year (important stuff).
- Send Direct: Include the video link in your outreach emails to coaches, along with a brief introduction and your athletic profile.
- Use Social Media: To increase visibility, share your reel on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok. Tag schools and coaches where appropriate.
- Embed on Your Athletic Profile: If you use platforms like NCSA or SportsRecruits, add your video to your profile.
- Follow Up: Confirm they’ve received and reviewed your video. Use this as an opportunity to introduce yourself, express your interest in the team, and to create a baseline for future relationship with that coach. Be aware of any regulations or no contact periods that you might fall into.
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even the best athletes can miss the mark if their highlight reel has avoidable errors. Here are common mistakes and how to sidestep them:
- Overloading with Clips: Too many highlights dilute the impact of your best moments.
- Ignoring Fundamentals: Don’t skip basic skills or drills that showcase your foundation as an athlete.
- Focusing Solely on Individual Play: Coaches want team players. Balance solo highlights with clips of teamwork and collaboration.
- Unprofessional Presentation: Avoid messy edits, distracting effects, or poor-quality footage. Keep it clean and professional.
- Neglecting Communication: Sending your video without follow-up or a personal note reduces the impact of a great video or professionalism you’re putting forward.
Investing into your highlight reel (the way we’ve outlined above) showcases your athletic ability but also demonstrates your professionalism and drive.
Remember to approach the process strategically … and invest in the recruitment process to stand out.
And if you need help with your video, content, or recruitment strategy, well, we’re only a call away.
