Which Highlights That Should Go in Your Highlight Reel?
You want to play college soccer. You have the list of programs you want to target that you think would be a good fit for you. Now, you need to reach out to the coach to get on their radar.
In addition to a well-written email, you need to share a video compilation of you as a player. But what highlights should go in your highlight reel for a college soccer coach? It might not be what you think.
Start By Thinking Like a Coach
Before you start going through your clips, take a moment to think about the point of view you expect the coach to have while going through your reel.
They’re likely going through dozens (if not more) of highlight reels for one or two players at each position that stand out. They’re tired and have been looking at grainy clips of games for hours.
Additionally, they are looking at players playing in youth leagues while college soccer – all divisions of it – are a higher level. They’re trying to figure out how this 16 or 17 year old player will perform playing against 22 or 23 year olds.
With this in mind, you’re ready to start going through your clips and selecting which ones will be best.
Pick Clips Where You Do Something Well
One of the most common mistakes players make is they pick videos that they think are cool for the highlight reel: golazos, goal-saving tackles, megging a defender, etc.
But coaches are looking at it through a different eye – sure, that goal was beautiful, but a college goalie can make that save and you missed the easy pass for a tap in. Now they see a greedy player that isn’t ready for the next level, and they’ve moved on to the next tape.
Or they’ll see that beautiful tackle…but they’ll also see how you were out of position which created the space for your mark to receive the ball in the first place. On to the next one again…
Look at your clips through that lens. Did you take a good action and make a good decision? Does it highlight an element of your game that will translate to the college level?
At the end of the day, it’s a compilation of you as a player – not your greatest hits. And you want to show you playing in different phases of the game – offense, defense, and in transition.
What the Best Highlight Reels Look Like For a Winger
For wingers, it should include clips of you pressing a defender – show your speed and your ability to guide the defender’s action with the ball.
Include a clip of you winning a ball in transition, handling a tricky switch of the field well.
And yes, it should include you taking on defenders 1 v 1 to both the outside as well as cutting in. It should also include highlights to your work ethic – like making runs to stretch the defense so your midfield has more space to work with.
What the Best Highlight Reels Look Like For a Striker
For strikers, show your ability to press and work with your teammates off the ball to make the defense make mistakes.
Include clips of you playing with your back to goal, timing runs over the top, playing in the centerback’s blindside.
Of course, include clips of you scoring goals – but they don’t need to all be beautiful ones. A good striker’s highlight reel will have multiple goals that look like defensive mistakes – it shows you have a good soccer IQ and can take advantage of the opportunities presented to you.
The best highlight reels for strikers DO NOT include taking penalties.
What the Best Highlight Reels Look Like For a Midfielder
Some of your clips should seem boring and include you closing down passing lanes.
Include you checking back in, not getting the ball, but immediately moving to become an outlet for your teammate who did get the ball.
Make sure some of your clips show your ability to duel for 50/50 balls, win aerial duels as well as second balls.
And of course, show your ability to turn into space, make line-breaking passes, and making runs as the third man.
What the Best Highlight Reels Look Like For a Fullback
Some of your clips should include making overlapping runs and delivering good crosses, but it should also include you making up for teammates mistakes.
Highlight your speed with you running down a ball over the top when you are in a footrace with a winger or striker.
Include a time where a winger takes you on 1 v 1 and you slow them down enough for your teammates to recover.
If the coach you are sending to likes playing a high line, make sure to include clips of you playing that way.
If you have strong throw-ins, show it!
What the Best Highlight Reels Look Like For a Center Back
Of course, the video for a center back should focus on defensive abilities, but it should also include your ability to go forward and win headers on corner kicks.
Show off your passing acumen when playing out of the back on short, medium, and long passes. This is doubly true if you are a left-footed center back (one of the unicorn players many coaches are looking for is ball-playing, left footed center backs).
Include clips of winning headers, 50/50 balls, and yes, a few goal line saves are great as well.
What the Best Highlight Reels Look Like For a Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper videos are a little different than field position videos, especially if the coach you’re sending it to likes playing out of the back. But showing your ability to come off your line, your shot blocking prowess as well as clips that highlight your footwork are essential.
Goalies: you can share clips of penalties.
Start Compiling Your Clips
Now, once you have the selection of clips, go through this checklist for each one.
Does the clip show your technical ability with the ball?
Does the clip show your soccer IQ and/or off the ball knowledge?
Does the clip show your athletic ability?
Does the clip show you as a team player?
Did you make any mistakes in the clip?
In the end, you want the highlight reel to showcase every aspect of your game. That’s the way to catch a coach’s attention and get them to want to bring you onboard.
If you want to talk through this process with a former professional player, set up a mentoring session today.
