How to Make an NCAA Recruiting Highlight Video That Gets You Noticed
- Collegiate Goals Editorial Team
- Mar 14
- 4 min read
A college coach receives hundreds of recruiting videos every year—but most don’t even get watched past the first 15 seconds. If your highlight video doesn’t grab their attention immediately, you risk getting overlooked.
For Canadian student-athletes looking to get recruited for the NCAA, a well-edited highlight video can be the difference between getting noticed or being ignored. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make an NCAA recruiting highlight video that stands out.
Why an NCAA Recruiting Highlight Video is Essential
College coaches don’t have time to attend every game in person, especially for Canadian athletes playing outside the U.S. Your highlight video serves as your first impression. If done correctly, it can:
Capture a coach’s interest within seconds
Showcase your best plays and skills efficiently
Get you to the next stage of the recruitment process
Without a strong highlight reel, even the best athletes can be overlooked.
Steps to Make a High-Impact NCAA Recruiting Highlight Video
1. Keep It Short and Engaging
The ideal length for a highlight video is:
2–3 minutes (coaches won’t watch longer unless interested)
First 15 seconds are crucial—start with your best plays
Cut out unnecessary fluff—keep only high-impact moments
2. Show Your Best Plays First
Don’t save your best for last! The first few clips should highlight your:
Athleticism and skill level
Game awareness and decision-making
Position-specific strengths
If you’re a soccer player, open with your best goal or assist. If you’re a basketball player, start with an explosive dunk, steal, or three-pointer.
3. Use Clear, High-Quality Footage
Poor-quality video can turn off recruiters. Ensure:
HD footage (720p or higher)
Stable camera work (no shaky phone videos)
Good lighting and visibility of jersey numbers
If available, use game film from Hudl, Veo, or team recordings.
4. Add Simple, Clear Identifiers
Coaches need to identify you quickly in each play. Use:
A small arrow or circle to highlight yourself before each clip
Slow motion or zooming in (only when necessary)
But don’t over-edit—coaches want raw, natural plays.
5. Focus on Game Footage, Not Practice Drills
Coaches prefer real-game scenarios.
Avoid:
❌ Practice footage (unless it's for a position-specific skill)
❌ Highlighting teammates instead of yourself
❌ Editing tricks that make plays look better than they are
6. Show Versatility (if applicable to your sport)
If your sport requires multiple skills, include a variety of clips:
Basketball: Offense, defense, passing, rebounding
Soccer: Scoring, assists, pressing, set pieces
Hockey: Speed, physicality, puck handling, defensive plays
This demonstrates your all-around game and coachability.
7. Keep the Editing Professional and Simple
You don’t need flashy effects.
Stick to:
✅ Clean transitions between clips
✅ No distracting music or text overlays
✅ Brief title slide with name, position, and contact info
Where to Upload and Share Your Highlight Video
Once your video is complete, you need to get it in front of coaches. Here’s where to post it:
YouTube – The best free option for easy sharing
Hudl – If your sport supports it, upload to Hudl for coaches to access
Twitter/X and Instagram – Many college coaches scout through social media
Direct Email to Coaches – Attach the link in your recruitment emails
For an in-depth look at NCAA recruiting video guidelines by sport, visit: https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/2/8/recruiting.aspx
Example Email to Send Your Highlight Video to Coaches
Subject: NCAA Recruiting Video – [Your Name] – Class of [Grad Year]
Dear Coach [Last Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I’m a [Your Position] currently playing for [Your Team] in [Your League]. I am very interested in your program and would love to learn more about your team’s recruiting needs.
Here is my highlight video: [Insert YouTube or Hudl Link]
I’d love to hear your feedback and discuss how I might be a good fit for your team. Looking forward to your response!
Best regards,[Your Name][Your Contact Information]
Example: How a Canadian Athlete Got Recruited Using a Highlight Video
Lisa, a soccer player from British Columbia, was struggling to gain NCAA attention.
She:
Created a 2-minute highlight video featuring her best goals, assists, and defensive plays.
Uploaded it to YouTube and Twitter, tagging NCAA coaches.
Sent personalized emails with her highlight reel attached.
Within weeks, she received multiple responses and landed an NCAA Division 1 offer.
Your Next Steps to Make an NCAA Highlight Video That Gets Noticed
Gather your best game footage—focus on high-quality, impactful plays.
Edit professionally—keep it 2–3 minutes max and show your best plays first.
Upload to YouTube, Hudl, and social media to maximize exposure.
Email NCAA coaches directly with a short, professional message.
Follow up if you don’t receive a response within 1-2 weeks.
For more NCAA recruitment insights, check out:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How long should an NCAA recruiting highlight video be?
2–3 minutes is the ideal length. Coaches won’t watch longer unless interested.
Q2: What type of plays should I include?
Your best, high-impact plays first—coaches need to see your top skills quickly.
Q3: Should I add music or special effects?
No. Coaches prefer simple, professional videos with no distractions.
Q4: Where should I upload my video?
YouTube, Hudl, and social media (Twitter/X, Instagram) are best for NCAA exposure.
Q5: How soon should I send my highlight video to NCAA coaches?
Start by Grade 10 or 11 and update it each season with fresh footage.
Conclusion
A strong NCAA recruiting highlight video can be the key to getting noticed by college coaches. By keeping it short, showing your best plays first, using high-quality footage, and sharing it widely, you maximize your chances of recruitment success.
Start today—record your best moments, edit a professional video, and send it to NCAA coaches. The right video at the right time could open doors to your college sports future.
For more NCAA recruitment insights, check out: Mastering the Art of Emailing College Coaches
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