ExceedVarsity

Guide 3 of 12 · 9th and 10th grade

Film 101

What to record, what to keep, and how to cut a clean 3 to 5 minute highlight reel that coaches will actually watch.

Film is your first handshake. Most coaches will see you on a screen before they ever see you in person. A short, clean, honest reel makes their job easy. A long, messy one gets closed.

What to record

  • Full games, every week. Highlight clips come from full games. If you didn't save the game, you can't clip the play.
  • Practice and skills work. Some positions (quarterback, kicker, punter, receiver, DB) benefit from skills film: throws, kicks, routes, drills.
  • Camps and combines, when you attend. Ask if film is available.
  • Measurables you can back up: height, weight, 40 time, testing numbers, with the date and who timed it.

Coach recommendation

Don't wait for junior year to start. Save film from freshman and sophomore years. Coaches like to see development, and you can't go back and re-shoot a game you didn't keep.

Choosing clips

Pick plays that show the traits for your position, at the speed of the game, with you easy to find. See the position table on Build Your Film.

Checklist

  • Is my best rep at the front?
  • Is it obvious which player is me (arrow, circle or spotlight on the first frame)?
  • Does each clip show a different skill, or at least a different play?
  • Is the film long enough to evaluate (a few seconds before and after the play), but not so long it drags?
  • Am I leaving out plays that show a mistake with no learning value?

Personal strategy

Quality vs. level of competition. If you play against stronger opponents, include those reps. If your competition is weaker, rely on technique and effort, and be honest in your email about the level you play at. A coach will adjust for competition, so don't oversell it.

Cutting a 3 to 5 minute reel

Coach recommendation

Your reel's job is a yes or a no, quickly. Aim for 3 to 5 minutes. Put your best two plays first. Start with a title card showing name, graduation year, position, height, weight, high school, city, state, and a parent or guardian's contact. Skip long intros and heavy music. A coach should be able to make a decision in the first minute.

Example

Example (made up) of a clean structure for a linebacker:

  1. Title card (5 seconds).
  2. Two best plays: a sideline-to-sideline tackle, a forced fumble.
  3. Run defense: shedding blocks and fits.
  4. Pass coverage and blitz.
  5. Special teams, if relevant.
  6. Closing card: contact info, coach's name, link to full games.

Hosting and sharing

  • Use a simple, reliable video link, and check that it works without a login.
  • Keep one master link that you update, so old emails always lead to your newest reel.
  • Put the link at the top of your emails and on your one-pager.

Heads up

Think about privacy. Film is public once you post it. Don't include addresses, phone numbers or school schedules in video descriptions or comments. For younger players, use a parent or guardian's email. ExceedVarsity does not collect or host your film.

Common film mistakes

  • Too long. If a coach has to scroll to find you, they'll leave.
  • Hard to tell which player is you.
  • Only highlights where you're not challenged.
  • Music so loud or a design so busy that nobody can see technique.
  • A link that requires a login, expires or doesn't work on a phone.
  • Out-of-date film. Update after each season.

Official rule

The NCAA's guide recommends including your name, position, NCAA ID and high school graduation year when you email college coaches your achievements and highlight video. Source: NCAA Guide, recruiting best practices.

Your next step

Next up: Guide 4: Your Online Footprint. The Coach's Recruiting Game Plan kit includes a highlight film checklist and shot list.

Sources checked

Official pages used for this guide, and the date we checked each one. Rules change, so confirm before you act.