How to Make a Lacrosse Highlight Video for Recruiting

Creating an effective lacrosse highlight video is crucial to get noticed by college coaches. They might not always be able to attend games in person, so having a strong, well-edited highlight video that showcases your abilities can make all the difference in standing out. Here’s what you need to know about making a great lacrosse recruiting video.

What Do College Coaches Look for in a Lacrosse Highlight Video?

College coaches are seeking versatile, well-rounded players with high lacrosse IQ and athleticism. Your highlight video should capture:

• Versatility: Showcase different aspects of your game—offense, defense, passing, shooting, transitions, and more.
• Lacrosse IQ: Highlight smart decision-making during high-pressure situations.
• Athleticism: Demonstrate agility, speed, and strength on the field, especially against tough competition.

How Long Should a Lacrosse Highlight Video Be?

Your highlight video should be under four minutes long, featuring 20-30 great plays. Use game footage to highlight your skills in live action.

How to Make a Highlight Video for Men’s Lacrosse

Follow these steps to create a compelling video:

• Capture video from multiple varsity or club games to ensure you have enough variety in the footage.
• Film from an elevated perspective (such as the stands or press box) to capture the whole play.
• Use a tripod to keep the footage steady.
• Shoot in landscape to provide a wider view.
• Zoom in enough to show details like jersey numbers and footwork but zoom out to show the progression of the play and teamwork.
• Film the field in thirds (offensive, middle, defensive zones) and capture the action in each area.
• Ask your coach if they have any footage that can be included.
• Minimize cheering or commentary in the background to avoid distractions.

Game Footage vs. Skills Footage

College coaches prefer game footage over skills footage because it shows your skills in action during high-pressure situations. While drills and practice skills are important, they are best demonstrated through live game footage where coaches can observe your decision-making and performance under pressure.

Position-Specific College Lacrosse Video Guidelines

Lacrosse Goalie Highlight Video

• Show leadership and strong communication with the defense.
• Include big saves, clears, and athleticism outside the cage.
• Demonstrate how you can turn defense into offense by creating fast-break opportunities.

Lacrosse Highlight Video for Field Players

• Attackers: Highlight scoring, change of direction, feeds, and confidence in handling the ball under pressure.
• Midfielders: Showcase winning faceoffs, transitions, speed, and groundball plays.
• Defenders: Emphasize physical presence, technical skills, and confidence in ball handling. Include takeaways, groundball plays, and team defense highlights.

How to Organize and Edit Your Highlight Video

• Keep it under four minutes.
• Start with impressive plays in the first 30 seconds to grab attention.
• Use 20-30 great plays that show a variety of skills.
• Use visual aids like arrows, circles, or spotlights to help coaches follow you on the field.
• Include your name, email, phone number, and your coach’s contact information at the beginning and end of the video.

Where to Post or Upload Your Lacrosse Recruiting Video

• Upload the video to your NCSA recruiting profile to give coaches easy access.
• Post it on YouTube and include a link to your recruiting profile in the description.
• Use the title format: “[Full Name] Lacrosse Recruiting Video Class of 20[XX].”
• Email college coaches the YouTube link to share your video directly with them.

Following these tips will help you create a strong recruiting video that highlights your skills, catches a coach’s attention, and showcases your potential to play at the college level.