Tips and Trends: What College Coaches Want to See on Film

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Film remains one of the most important tools in the recruiting process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In many cases, your highlight video creates a coach's first impression of you as a player. Before the phone calls, before the campus visits, and before the recruiting conversations begin, coaches are often evaluating film. Because of that, athletes should spend time creating a video that accurately reflects their game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The good news? Your film doesn't need fancy editing or special effects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Instead, it needs to be clear, organized, and easy to evaluate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Start With Your Best Clips</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>College coaches watch a lot of volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a result, you don't want to make them wait for your best moments. Put your strongest clips near the beginning of the video. Whether you're a setter, libero, middle, or hitter, coaches should quickly see what makes you effective.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First impressions matter. Therefore, make the opening portion of your video count.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Make Yourself Easy to Find</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one of the easiest ways to improve your film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Use a circle, arrow, or spotlight before the play begins. Then remove it once the rally starts. Coaches want to watch your movement and decision-making. They don't want to spend valuable time figuring out which athlete they should be evaluating.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The easier you make their job, the more likely they are to keep watching.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Show More Than Just Highlights</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big kills and aces are exciting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, coaches evaluate much more than statistics. They want to see how you move between contacts, how you communicate, and how you react when things don't go perfectly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For example, a libero may not record a highlight-worthy dig every rally. Still, coaches can learn a lot from positioning, platform control, and effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Likewise, setters should show how they manage an offense rather than only showcasing perfect assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>If You List Multiple Positions, Show Multiple Positions</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one of the biggest mistakes recruits make.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If your recruiting profile says you are an outside hitter and defensive specialist, coaches should be able to find film of both. The same applies to setters who also hit, pins who play six rotations, or middles who contribute in other phases.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If a position appears on your profile, make sure there is film to support it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Otherwise, coaches may question how comfortable you are in that role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Include Full Match Film</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlight videos help grab attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, full-match film often answers the biggest questions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coaches want to see consistency. They want to see how you compete when the rally doesn't go your way. Additionally, they want to evaluate your body language, communication, and overall impact on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Because of this, every recruit should have at least one full match readily available.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What Should You Avoid?</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep it simple.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Avoid long introductions, excessive graphics, and unnecessary effects. Coaches are evaluating volleyball, not video-editing skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Additionally, don't make your highlight video too long. Strong clips with clear purpose will always outperform unnecessary filler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most importantly, don't try to hide weaknesses by only showing perfect moments. Coaches understand that volleyball is imperfect. They want an honest look at who you are as a player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Looking Ahead</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A great highlight video won't earn a scholarship on its own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, it can open doors and start conversations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Focus on creating film that is clear, organized, and authentic. Show coaches who you are, what you do well, and how you impact the game. Then let your volleyball speak for itself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Because at the end of the day, the best recruiting videos don't try to impress coaches—they help coaches evaluate the player in front of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Tag @prepdigcolorado in your highlights!:)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->