One of the most important tools in a young athlete's toolbox is their clip video. Since scouts and recruiters can't be present at most high school sporting events, the clip video is the main way for aspiring players to generate interest in their skills. It's become much like the high school athlete's resume--and a bad one can considerably hinder a player's chances for a scholarship.
That's why making a fantastic clip video is so important to the recruiting process. By keeping a few simple tips in mind, you can make sure that your clip video is one of your biggest assets.
Ditch The DVDs
In the past, players used to send large manila envelopes to coaches containing DVDs of their games. Today, most of these unsolicited videos never get seen. In fact, it's quite likely that the coach you're trying to attract uses a laptop or tablet that doesn't even have a CD-ROM drive in it! The chances of them taking the DVD home to watch during dinner are slim.
Instead, consider hosting your video on the web and simply sending the link. Better yet, come up with a creative way to broadcast it, such as in a Twitter feed or as a QR code. That way, it's easy to make your video highly visible.
Use Professional Editing
A general rule in visual marketing is that you have an extremely short window of time to attract someone's attention. In our highly saturated, burst media environment, this is especially true. Your video can't waste time building up to the good part.
Professional editors understand this and can help create an intro that will build excitement for the viewer. They'll use a variety of cuts, edits, and soundtracking to create a video that's enjoyable to watch. Coaches will be much more likely to engage in analyzing your play if they're having a good viewing experience.
Choose Your Clips Wisely
Over the course of a long youth sports career, you've probably generated a lengthy highlight reel. Unfortunately, a lot of those highlights do little except show that you were competing against underdeveloped opponents. A five-minute clip of you dropping 35 points on a high school team that won three games last year won't help you much.
Instead, focus on clips that demonstrate specific, valued abilities. For example, if you're a long-range shooter, your clips should all reflect your ability to hit shots from the perimeter. A theme or skill focus can go a long way to making your clip video useful for the coach.
In a lot of situations, your clip video is the first--and possibly only--means of communication with a team. Make sure you put the time, effort, and money into the product to create a product that truly represents who you are as a player. For further assistance, contact a professional, such as one from Hoops4Nations.
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