What to Include in Your Highlight Video

Let’s be blunt: coaches are busy. They’re not watching your 8-minute highlight reel unless the first 30 seconds grab their attention.

So what makes a highlight video that actually works?

It’s not about flashy edits, hype music, or fancy intros. It’s about giving coaches a crystal-clear view of your ability — fast.

Here’s how to nail your video and give yourself a real shot.

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1. Open with Key Info

Before you hit play on your clips, display your essentials:

• Full name
• Grad year
• Height, weight, position (or playing style)
• Academic info (GPA, SAT/ACT, TOEFL if needed)
• Contact info (yours and your coach’s)

Keep it on screen for 5–7 seconds.

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2. Lead With Your Best 60 Seconds

Think of it like a movie trailer. Coaches won’t sit through 5 minutes of buildup — they want to see your strengths right away.

Pick your 4–6 most dynamic clips and put them at the very top.

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3. Match Play Beats Drills

Coaches want to see what you do in competition — not just how clean you look in practice.

Use match footage that shows how you move, think, and compete in real scenarios. Bonus if it's against ranked opponents or in tournament settings.

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4. Show Variety

Don’t just show forehands or layups or sprints. Give a full picture of your game. That might mean:

• Offense and defense
• Serving and returning
• Moving up to the net
• Playing under pressure

You're selling your complete skill set.

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5. Keep It Clean

Use a tripod. Use consistent angles. Make sure the lighting is decent. No fancy transitions, no slow-mo, and definitely no background music that overshadows the audio.

Clarity wins.

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6. Keep It Short

Under 3 minutes is the sweet spot. If they want more, they’ll ask. Don’t waste their time.

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Final Thought

Your video is your first impression. Make it strong, simple, and watchable. The goal isn’t to impress with editing — it’s to show your game.

Get in, stand out, and give them a reason to hit “reply.”