In today’s competitive lacrosse environment, having a solid highlight reel is essential for players aiming to stand out to college recruiters and coaches. Your highlight reel is often your first impression and can be a crucial tool in showcasing your skills, athleticism, and lacrosse IQ. Whether you’re a close defenseman, a long stick midfielder (LSM), or an attacker, a well-crafted reel can open doors to your lacrosse future. Here are some tips to create an effective highlight reel that gets noticed.
1. Choose the Right Footage
The first step in creating a standout highlight reel is selecting the right clips. It’s not just about the number of goals or takeaways you include; it’s about demonstrating your versatility as a player. Focus on clips that highlight:
- Defensive Skills: For defenders and LSMs, include clips showcasing your stick checks, positioning, and ability to force turnovers. Highlight your footwork, body positioning, and ability to read the game.
- Offensive Contributions: If you contribute offensively, like scoring goals or making assists, include these clips as well. Coaches love to see a defender who can transition the ball and create scoring opportunities.
- Lacrosse IQ: Highlight plays where you anticipate the opponent’s moves or make smart decisions under pressure. This shows your understanding of the game and your ability to make quick, intelligent decisions.
Tip: Use full-game footage rather than practice clips. Coaches want to see how you perform in real game situations.
2. Keep It Short and Sweet
The ideal length for a highlight reel is between 3 to 5 minutes. Coaches have limited time, and a long, drawn-out video may lose their attention. Start with your best clips to grab their interest quickly—think of your highlight reel like a movie trailer; you want to show your most exciting and impactful plays right at the beginning.
3. Showcase Your Skills in Different Scenarios
A versatile player is a valuable asset to any team. Make sure your highlight reel includes clips from various scenarios:
- Transition Plays: As a defender, your ability to push the ball in transition is key. Include clips that show your speed and vision as you advance the ball upfield.
- Man-Down Defense: Demonstrate your ability to perform in high-pressure situations, like during a man-down defense, where your skills as a lockdown defender are most valuable.
- Clearing and Ground Balls: Coaches want to see how effectively you clear the ball and handle ground balls. Including clips that highlight your hustle, speed, and ball-handling skills can make a big impact.
4. Add Context to Your Clips
Help the viewer understand your positioning and role in each play by adding simple annotations or spot shadows. This is especially important if you’re playing defense or LSM, where it might not be immediately clear which player you are. A small circle or arrow highlighting you before the play starts can make a big difference in helping coaches focus on your performance.
Tip: Use editing software like iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro, or simpler online tools like Kapwing to add these highlights.
5. Include Contact Information and Stats
At the end of your reel, include a title card with your contact information, team name, graduation year, jersey number, and relevant stats or accolades. This makes it easy for coaches to reach out if they’re interested. Highlight key stats like:
- Height, weight, and dominant hand
- Positions played (e.g., Close Defense, LSM)
- Key stats (e.g., caused turnovers, ground balls, assists, and goals)
- Team affiliations (club teams, high school team) and jersey numbers
6. Keep It Professional
Avoid flashy effects or loud background music that can distract from your performance. Choose music that is appropriate and won’t overshadow the video. The goal is to showcase your skills, not your video editing abilities.
Tip: Keep the focus on your play rather than the soundtrack. Opt for instrumental or no music at all if you’re unsure.
7. Get Feedback Before Sharing
Before you share your highlight reel with college coaches, get feedback from your current coaches or mentors. They can offer valuable insights and suggest edits to make your reel even stronger.
8. Share Wisely
Once your reel is polished and ready, share it on platforms where college coaches and recruiters are active. Upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo and include relevant tags like “lacrosse highlight reel,” your graduation year, and positions. Additionally, consider using recruiting platforms like Hudl, NCSA, or SportsRecruits.
Don’t forget to share your reel on social media platforms like Instagram. Tag your club teams, high school team, and any relevant recruiting accounts to maximize your visibility.
Final Thoughts
Creating an effective highlight reel is about showing off your skills and giving coaches a glimpse into your potential as a player. By choosing the right footage, keeping it concise, and making sure it’s easy for coaches to identify you and reach out, you can make a strong impression. Remember, the highlight reel is just one part of your overall recruiting process—combine it with attending showcases, reaching out to coaches, and continuously improving your game.
Good luck out there, and remember: your highlight reel is a reflection of your hard work and dedication. Make it count!
From the backyard to Division 1—watch the journey unfold.
MG