If you’re serious about playing college soccer, your highlight video is one of the most important tools in your recruiting process. Coaches receive hundreds—sometimes thousands—of emails every week, and most of them include highlight videos. The reality? Coaches don’t have time to watch a 20-30 minute game reel.

Your highlight video needs to be short, impactful, and showcase what you do best. A well-crafted video can open doors, save you time and money, and get you on a coach’s radar—but a bad one can cause them to move on within seconds.

Here’s how to create a highlight video that grabs a coach’s attention and increases your chances of getting recruited.

1. Keep It Short and To the Point

College coaches don’t have time to watch full game footage, and if your highlight video drags on, they’ll stop watching before they even get to the good parts.

Best Practices for Video Length:

    •    Ideal length: 3-5 minutes

    •    First 30 seconds are crucial – Coaches often decide within the first 30 seconds if they want to keep watching.

    •    Don’t waste time on unnecessary clips – Every second should show something valuable.

If a coach likes what they see, they might ask for full game footage later. But your job is to hook them fast with your highlights.

2. Show Your Best Plays First

Coaches aren’t going to watch your entire video if the first 30 seconds don’t impress them. Your first few clips should showcase your absolute best moments—whether it’s a game-winning goal, a perfect assist, a crucial defensive stop, or elite footwork.

What to Include Based on Your Position:

    •    Forwards & Wingers: Goals, 1v1 dribbling, assists, dangerous runs

    •    Midfielders: Passing vision, ball control, defensive work, composure under pressure

    •    Defenders: Tackles, interceptions, aerial duels, 1v1 defending

    •    Goalkeepers: Diving saves, distribution, commanding the box

Put your strongest highlights first—don’t save them for later in the video.

3. Brag a Little: Start With Your Key Stats & Achievements

Before showing any game footage, give the coach a reason to pay attention. At the very start of your video, briefly list your key stats, achievements, and accolades to establish credibility.

What to Include:

✅ Name, graduation year, position(s)

✅ Club team & high school team

✅ Key stats (goals, assists, shutouts, etc.)

✅ Awards & honors (All-State, MVP, team captain, etc.)

✅ Notable tournament/showcase participation

This helps coaches immediately understand who you are and why they should watch your highlights.

4. Keep It Simple: Let the Play Speak for Itself

Your highlight video should be clean, professional, and easy to follow. Avoid flashy effects, distracting music, or long slow-motion replays.

Key Tips for Simplicity:

    •    Use simple on-screen indicators (like a small circle or arrow) to highlight yourself before each play.

    •    Minimal editing – Coaches want game footage, not overproduced highlights.

    •    Show complete plays – Don’t just cut to the goal; show the buildup and decision-making.

The focus should be on your skills and impact on the game, not on the editing.

5. Make It Easy for Coaches to Contact You

At the end of your video, make sure to include your contact information so that coaches can reach out if they’re interested.

What to Include:

📧 Email & phone number

📍 Hometown & school

🎥 Link to full game footage (if available)

📱 Social media handles (if used for recruiting)

If a coach is interested, you want them to have zero difficulty reaching out.

5. Make It Easy for Coaches to Contact You

A great highlight video can open doors to schools you never thought possible. Many players have been recruited to schools halfway across the country without ever meeting a coach in person, simply because their highlight video caught a coach’s attention.

How a Strong Video Can Save You Time & Money:

    •    You don’t have to travel to every school – If a coach sees your video and is interested, they may invite you for an official or unofficial visit.

    •    It helps you get identified before attending an ID camp – If a coach has already seen your highlights, they’re much more likely to watch you at a camp.

    •    It ensures you’re only spending time on schools that are actually interested in you.

If a school is far away, your highlight video is your first impression—make it count.

Final Thoughts: How to Stand Out

If you want to get recruited, your highlight video must be short, effective, and showcase what you do best. Remember:

✅ 3-5 minutes max – Keep it short and to the point.

✅ Best clips first – Hook the coach within 30 seconds.

✅ List your key stats & achievements – Give coaches a reason to pay attention.

✅ Keep it simple & professional – No flashy effects, just great soccer.

✅ Include contact info – Make it easy for coaches to reach out.

Your highlight video is your first impression in the recruiting process. If done right, it can get you on a coach’s radar, save you time and money, and help you find the perfect college soccer fit.