In this blog, we will cover the goals you should have for creating your recruitment video, the key components that coaches want to see, and the editor’s notes we’ve mastered over years in the industry

After a year filled with coach-visit restrictions and dead periods, a great recruitment video is as valuable as ever. Your talent and skill as a tennis player should be properly showcased for coaches across the country to see. In this blog, we will cover the goals you should have for creating your video, the key components that coaches want to see, and the editor’s notes we’ve mastered over years in the industry. Let's get started!

Goals of Your Recruitment Video

• Putting a Face to Your Name
• Oftentimes, your recruitment video is the first time a coach learns of who you are. Use this opportunity to give a strong a clear introduction of who you are. Be precise and to the point, and make sure to smile!
• Evaluation of Your Level
• You are more than just a number or a ranking. Your recruitment video is an amazing way to give coaches an accurate understanding of what you can do on the court and what you could potentially bring to their team.
• Increase Interest
• You’re #1 goal at the point to get recruited to an amazing college or university. Your recruitment video should do a good job of highlighting your strengths that will drive your demand for college coaches.
• Call to Action
• While a great video can show coaches a lot about who you are as a player, they still want to learn more about who you are as a person. When it’s all said and done, give coaches a reason to watch your video from beginning to end and immediately contact you or your parents to get to know you better.

Key Components (Video Length, 8-10 Mins)

• Introduction
• Name, age, high school graduation date, prospective college entrance, etc.
• Hitting
• Demonstrate good consistency from both sides, some power, and placement.
• Footwork and court movement is important
• Always play with high intensity
• THIS IS NOT A WARM-UP
• Point Play
• Play formal games
• Keep score
• Serving or receiving in the same sequence as a match
• Wrap-Up/ Outro
• Re-introduce yourself (name, age, graduation, etc.) and give a formal and upbeat exciting message that will leave a coach wanting to reach out to get to know you further.

Editor’s Notes

• The camera angle must show the entire court
• The camera should be placed behind you and as high as possible
• Repeat points that are considered “productive”
• Always remember that errors are ok. You aren’t perfect, and coaches know that. 
• Play against good competition
• Make sure your opponent plays with 100% effort.
• Ideally, play with someone of equal or slightly higher level than that of your own.
• There is no problem if your opponent ends up winning more games, as long as the match is competitive.
• Avoid external noises (street sounds, construction, traffic, etc.)
• Body language speaks for itself
• Always be mindful of how you carry yourself on the court
• Don’t add visual effects or music
• Leave original sound
• Coaches don’t want the “Hollywood” version of you, they want the real you.

CLICK HERE to watch the webinar we hosted covering this same topic.