A well-made recruiting video is an extremely important tool for every high school field hockey player who hopes to earn a field hockey scholarship and play in college.
College field hockey coaches generally don’t have the budget or the time it takes to see dozens of recruits in person, which is why a highlight video is an essential part of your online resume.
It takes just a few minutes for a good recruiting video to effectively illustrate the skills of a high school field hockey recruit.
Realize that if you want your highlight video to be effective, you need to be aware of what field hockey coaches are looking for. When it comes to recruiting videos, each sport has different requirements. NCSA knows what field hockey coaches want to see. For example, a highlight video for field players should use 20 to 40 plays from game footage. A video for goalkeepers should be comprised of both in-game highlights and skills footage.
Creating an excellent recruiting video is much easier when you follow NCSA’s guidelines. And when you make a highlight video you’re taking a huge first step toward earning a college scholarship.
How to Film:
- Tape from a high perspective when possible (at least several feet from the ground).
- A tripod is highly recommended.
- Do not zoom in and out. The wider the angle the better.
- Imagine the field separated into thirds (offensive, middle, defensive). When the ball is in the offensive or defensive third of the field, film the entire 18-yard box and beyond. When the ball is in the middle of the field, film the entire middle third.
- Show enough of the field so that we are able to see the player’s vision, runs with and without the ball, use of space, combinations with teammates, etc.
- Coaches want to see the progression of each play so you need a wide enough angle to capture multiple players, but they also want to see foot skills and technical abilities so do not lose focus on the primary player you are recording.
Position Specific Inclusions:
Field Player:
- Shooting: High, middle and low shots on goal, both stationary and driven shots
- Stick Skills: Handling the ball under pressure from another player as well as unguarded
- Passing: Show 5 repetitions of each lateral and forward passing, as well as 5 repetitions each of the player receiving lateral and forward passes
- Off-Hand: Repeat shooting and passing skills with your off hand (left hand for right handed players and vice versa)
Goalies:
- Shots: Show someone shooting on you. Vary the shots and highlight your ability to cover shots on the ground, at the crossbar and in the corners.
- Clearing: Show yourself clearing the ball from the goal and from outside the goal in the crease.