Do You Need a Highlight Video to Get Recruited for College Soccer?

The short answer? Yes, you absolutely need highlight videos for college soccer recruiting. But here's what most players and parents don't realize: you need multiple types of videos, each serving a different purpose in your recruiting strategy.

The Three Types of Videos You Need

Intro Videos: 10-30 Seconds

Think social media clips that grab attention quickly. These short videos showcase your best moments—a perfectly placed free kick, a crucial tackle, or a creative assist. Post these on Instagram to build your recruiting presence and give coaches a quick preview of your abilities.

Highlight Reel Videos: 3-4 Minutes

This is your main recruiting tool—the video you'll send directly to college coaches and upload to recruiting platforms. Think YouTube-style content that tells your complete story as a player. This should be professionally edited and include your best 15-20 clips from recent games.

Full Game Videos

Keep links to complete game footage (like Veo recordings) ready for interested coaches. When a coach wants to see more after watching your highlight reel, full games show your consistency, work rate, and how you perform throughout an entire match.

Why Your Highlight Reel Is Most Important

Your highlight reel video carries the most weight in college soccer recruiting. College coaches receive hundreds of recruiting inquiries every month and can't travel to watch every player in person, especially with NCAA recruiting budget constraints. Your highlight reel becomes your first impression and often determines whether a coach will pursue you further.

Think of your highlight reel as your soccer resume in motion. Coaches use these videos to quickly assess your technical skills, game awareness, and physical attributes before investing time in phone calls or campus visits.

How to Use Each Video Type Strategically

Social Media Presence

Post your intro videos regularly on Instagram to stay visible to college coaches who follow recruiting accounts. Tag relevant coaches and use hashtags like #collegesoccerrecruiting and your graduation year.

Direct Outreach

Your highlight reel goes in every email to college coaches and gets uploaded to recruiting platforms. This is what coaches will watch when they're seriously evaluating you as a potential recruit.

Follow-Up Material

Keep your full game video links organized and easily accessible. When a coach expresses interest after watching your highlight reel, being able to quickly send a full game shows you're prepared and professional.

Creating Effective Highlight Reels

Keep It Short and Focused

Your highlight video should be 3-4 minutes maximum. Coaches typically decide within the first 30 seconds whether to keep watching. Start with your best clips—your signature moments that showcase your strongest skills.

Show Game Footage, Not Just Skills

While juggling and cone drills look impressive, college coaches want to see how you perform under pressure. Include clips that demonstrate:

• Decision-making in tight spaces
• Communication with teammates
• Performance in crucial game moments
• Your role within team tactics

The Technical Details That Matter

Camera Positioning

Film from an elevated position when possible—Veo and Trace work well. This angle shows field vision and tactical understanding better than sideline footage. Avoid shaky handheld shots that make coaches dizzy.

Include Multiple Angles

For key plays, show different camera angles if available. Have a parent film from the sidelines if possible. This gives coaches a complete picture of your involvement in the play and demonstrates your awareness beyond just the moment you touch the ball.

Common Highlight Video Mistakes

Many families spend thousands on professional video services, but here's an insight most won't tell you: a well-edited phone video often outperforms expensive productions if it shows the right content.

Avoid these recruiting video pitfalls:

• Including too much slow-motion footage
• Adding distracting music or graphics
• Showing only goals and assists (defenders and midfielders need different highlights)
• Using outdated footage from years ago

When to Create Your Video

Start building your highlight reel ASAP but it's more important during your sophomore year of high school. This gives you time to collect quality footage and refine your video before the serious recruiting conversations begin junior year.

Update your video regularly as you develop new skills and compete at higher levels. College coaches want to see recent footage that represents your current abilities.

Beyond the Highlight Video

While your recruiting video opens doors, remember it's just the beginning. Coaches will also evaluate your academic performance, character references, and how you handle the recruiting process itself.

Your video should complement other recruiting efforts like attending ID camps, communicating with coaches, and maintaining strong grades. It's a crucial tool, but not the only tool in your recruiting toolkit.

College soccer recruiting has become increasingly competitive, but a well-crafted highlight video gives you the opportunity to showcase your abilities to coaches nationwide. Make it count.