How to make a highlight video
Discover how a standout sports highlight video can help you catch the attention of college coaches
How do you get discovered and recruited by a college coach across the Atlantic? An essential part of the process is your highlight video! Olivia Appelberg, one of Keystone Sports’ ambassadors, was recruited by a college coach and received a soccer scholarship. Since the fall of 2023, Olivia has been living in Virginia, playing college soccer, and studying Communication at Averett University. In this post, Olivia shares how to create a video that captures coaches’ attention and shares tips to avoid common pitfalls!
The process of college recruitment and studying in the U.S. can feel long and complex, but knowing what to expect makes the journey much easier! A crucial step in securing a sports scholarship is promoting yourself to college coaches. To be recruited by a coach for their college team with the help of Keystone Sports, you will need a highlight video. But how do you create a highlight video, and what should it include?
What is a highlight video?
First and foremost, what is a highlight video? It’s a video created to promote you as a player to coaches in the U.S. Since coaches won’t be able to see you play and compete in person, you need to start filming your matches and tournaments to collect footage, which you can then compile into a video. Coaches want to see the student-athlete they’re investing in, focusing on who you are as an athlete and what strengths you possess. As soon as you decide to study and play sports at a U.S. college, it’s important to start creating your highlight video.
What to Include in a Highlight Video
What the highlight video should include depends on your sport and position. For soccer, for example, if you’re a forward, coaches will want to see you score goals, assist teammates, take shots, and counterattack. However, don’t forget that they also want to see the whole picture—they want to see you defend, win back the ball in duels, and make long runs back to help your team. Therefore, try to film as many matches as possible. Remember, the more material you have to work with, the better!
Once you’ve gathered footage, it will take time to review and select key sequences that highlight your performance. Since this is a way to market yourself as an athlete, you naturally want to include your best moments! As a Keystone Sports client, you’ll receive a helpful template and sample videos to use as inspiration when creating your own.
It’s also a good idea to film a short clip where you introduce yourself in English, briefly explain why you want to study in the U.S., and “welcome” coaches to your highlight video. For example: “Hi, my name is Olivia. I am 19 years old and live in Sweden. I’ve always known that I want to study in the U.S. because it seems so exciting to combine education and sports. To give you a sense of who I am as a player, I’ve put together a video from some of my matches. I hope you enjoy it! Thank you!”
Since the recruitment video is such an important tool, it needs to be of good quality. This doesn’t mean you need to hire a professional editor, but you should be able to compile your clips effectively, clearly show who you are on the field, and ensure the video looks as professional as possible.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Creating a Highlight Video
- Poor Video Quality
While you don’t need to be a professional editor to make your highlight video, it’s crucial that the video is of the best possible quality. Keep this in mind when filming matches and competitions. Try to use the best camera available to avoid poor resolution, ensure the person filming holds the camera steady, and film in good lighting conditions. - Video Too Long or Too Short
The purpose of a highlight video is to promote yourself to coaches and catch their interest in recruiting you. Therefore, it’s important that the video isn’t too long or too short. A video that’s too long risks losing the coach’s attention, causing them to miss important moments. Conversely, a video that’s too short may not include enough footage to showcase your skills. A good target length for a highlight video is between 3 to 5 minutes. - No Introduction
As mentioned, it’s a good idea to start the video with a brief introduction of yourself—your name, age, where you live, and why you want to study and play sports at a U.S. college. Coaches receive many highlight videos, so another helpful tip is to include your contact information in the video, making it easy for the coach to reach out to you afterward. - Over-Edited Video
While some editing is necessary for creating a highlight video, be careful not to over-edit. Fast cuts, music, and video effects can distract from the most important part of the video—you! Keep the focus on your performance. - Outdated Footage
Coaches expect to see a current picture of you as an athlete. It can be challenging to gather footage if it’s the off-season with no matches, competitions, or tournaments, but using outdated footage can give a misleading impression of you as a potential student-athlete. As an athlete, there can be significant differences between old and new footage in terms of skill, physicality, and competition level. Therefore, include sequences that provide a good, up-to-date picture of your performance level and, most importantly, demonstrate your potential!
Creating a standout highlight video is crucial for getting noticed by college coaches and securing your dream scholarship. With these tips, you’ll be able to showcase your skills and make a strong impression. Focus on quality, highlight your best moments, and include a brief introduction to help coaches get to know you!
Ready to find out if you’ve got what it takes to earn a sports scholarship? Apply for a free evaluation with Keystone Sports, and let us help you take the next step toward playing college sports and studying in the US!
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About the author
Paulina Romo
Paulina Romo, SEO Specialist at Keystone Sports, holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and has a background in equestrian sports, specializing in dressage. Shaped by international experience gained from work and studies in Sweden, South Korea, Germany, and Spain, Paulina brings a diverse blend of marketing skills and perspectives to her role.
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