How to Make a Football Highlight Video for Recruits

Not even the biggest college football programs can send their coaches out to every talented player in the country for scouting. That's why producing a tightly produced highlight video of great high school college quarterback or linebacker is so important. By having copies to send out to potential schools, it's your first step in attempting to secure a scholarship for that athlete. Because most computers have basic video editing software, a highlight video can be done from home.

Things You'll Need

  • Digital video camera
  • USB cord
  • Movie Maker software (Windows)
  • iMovie software (Mac)
  • Compatible computer
  • Writable DVDs
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Instructions

    • 1

      Record your player. Attend every game your prospect plays in high school and shoot video of him with your digital video camera. Focus only on your player while he is on the field. Pause your recording between plays to save tape space and memory. If he only plays offense or defense, then only record when he is on the field. Ask the coach for game film if you happen to miss a game. Coaches understand the process of recruiting and are generally helpful.

    • 2

      Capture the highlights throughout the season. Don't wait to capture the video to your video editing software (Movie Maker or iMovie) each game. Capture the video by connecting the video camera to your computer with the appropriate USB cord. Start a new project for each game to save the entire block of film. Then go through the game and select certain plays that could be used for your highlight video when you put the final video together.

    • 3

      Select the highlights. Professional recruiting services suggest using 15 to 40 highlights for your video, and it should be no longer than five minutes. Make sure to use only the best plays that highlight your prospect, including any touchdown plays, big gains, impressive tackles or blocks that set up big plays.

    • 4

      Order your plays in the video editing time line. Start a new project and bring in selected clips from all the games into the video time line. There is no set rule for how to order the highlights. Just make sure it is exciting throughout. Put the clips back-to-back and then add transitions, titles and music using the software's tools.

    • 5

      Include the player's vitals. Once the video is complete with highlights, add one or two screens at the end of the video that lists the player's pertinent information. It can be difficult for a coach to get a true feel for a player's size or speed on film, so writing out the player's name, position, height, weight, bench-press best and 40-yard dash time are helpful. Also, add your personal contact information and high school coach's contact information.

    • 6

      Burn your DVD. Once you're happy with your video, make sure to save the project. Insert a writable DVD into the computer and export your project to the DVD. In Movie Maker, select "Save to DVD." In iMovie, select iDVD from the "Share" menu. Customize the movie with names and file locations. Make as many copies as you need for the schools you plan to send the highlight videos to.