Top Tips to Get Noticed – What to Do & What to Avoid
A well-crafted soccer highlight reel can be the key to unlocking college, academy, or professional opportunities.
Whether you’re a high school player aiming for an NCAA scholarship or a youth soccer standout hoping to catch the eye of professional scouts, your highlight video must showcase your skills, decision-making, and overall soccer IQ in the best possible way.
One simple tip: Check out the college or pro roster before you send your soccer highlight link to a scout or collegiate coach. Does the coach need to find players who play your position? For example, does the team have multiple forwards or are several graduating or leaving? 
What makes a great soccer highlight reel?
And, just as importantly, what should you avoid? SoccerToday created this guide to help talented youth soccer players showcase their talents and earn the recognition they deserve.
In this guide, we’ll break down the must-haves for an effective soccer recruitment video—so you can stand out from the competition and impress college recruiters and pro scouts.
1. Keep It Short, Sharp & Engaging (No More Than 5 Minutes!)
✅ DO:
– Aim for a 3 to 5-minute video—recruiters don’t have time to watch a full game.
– Lead with your strongest moments in the first 30 seconds. Collegiate soccer coaches and scouts may not watch the rest if you don’t grab attention immediately.
Note: Our editor Diane Scavuzzo has seen highlight videos from goalkeepers, with the first two clips showing great attempts but still failures nevertheless. If you want to include a great move that doesn’t work out perfectly, leave it towards the end!
– Highlight game-changing plays—scouts want to see your impact on the field.
❌ DON’T:
– Add too much filler—stick to high-quality plays that showcase your youth soccer talent.
– Make it too long (10+ minutes is excessive).
– Start with slow-motion intros or unnecessary text—get straight to the action!
2. Show What You Do Best (Position-Specific Clips Are Key!)
✅ DO:
– For Attackers: Show goals, assists, one-on-one dribbling, and movement off the ball.
– For Midfielders: Showcase passing range, vision, defensive recoveries, and playmaking ability.
– For Defenders: Highlight tackles, aerial duels, one-on-one defending, and ball distribution.
– For Goalkeepers: Display saves, shot-stopping, distribution (both feet), and communication with defenders.
– Use multiple game clips against strong opponents to show consistency.
❌ DON’T:
– Only include goals if you’re a striker—scouts want to see your all-around play.
– Overuse training footage—game performance matters most.
– Include clips where your role in the play is unclear.
3. Use High-Quality Video & Proper Camera Angles
✅ DO:
– Use clear, high-resolution footage—blurry or shaky video is a major turnoff.
– If possible, record from an elevated angle (not from the sideline).
– Zoom in enough to see your movements but keep enough of the field visible for context.
– If you can access Hudl or Veo, use their high-quality game film.
❌ DON’T:
– Use handheld phone footage unless it’s properly stabilized.
– Over-edit with filters, slow-motion, or distracting transitions—keep it professional.
4. Make It Easy to Identify You
✅ DO:
– Highlight yourself at the start of every clip with a circle or arrow so coaches can find you quickly.
– Include your jersey number and team in an opening title card.
❌ DON’T:
– Expect coaches to “figure out” who you are—make it obvious and easy.
– Use distracting text or effects—clarity is key.
5. Include a Strong Intro with Key Info
✅ DO:
– Start with a 5-second title screen with:
– Full Name
– Graduation Year (for college recruitment)
– Position
– Height & Weight
– Club & High School Team
– Contact Info (Email, Coach’s Contact, Social Media)
❌ DON’T:
– Include personal opinions or long-winded text about your passion—let your skills do the talking.
– Use background music—scouts may mute the video, so it’s unnecessary.
6. Show Versatility & Soccer IQ
✅ DO:
– Show how you contribute on and off the ball (defensive work rate, tactical awareness).
– Highlight your decision-making under pressure.
– Include varied moments—not just highlights, but clips that show you understand the game.
❌ DON’T:
– Only show one skill (e.g., just dribbling or shooting).
– Include low-intensity plays—scouts want to see energy and impact.
7. End with a Clear Call to Action
✅ DO:
– Close with a title card including your:
– Name & Contact Info
– Your Coach’s Contact Info
– Links to Full Game Footage or Game Schedule
❌ DON’T:
– Assume scouts will search for your details —make it easy for them to reach out.
Final Pro Tips for Maximizing Your Highlight Reel’s Impact
– Upload to YouTube or Hudl – These are the most common platforms used by college and pro scouts.
– Keep the Title Professional – Example: John Smith 2025 | Striker | Elite Soccer Highlights
– Send Directly to Coaches – Email the link with a short introduction and your soccer resume.
– Post on Social Media – Tag college coaches, academy scouts, and soccer recruitment pages.
Takeaways: Your Highlight Reel Should…
✔ Be 3-5 minutes long
✔ Showcase position-specific skills
✔ Use high-quality, game-action footage
✔ Make it easy to identify you
✔ Feature an intro with key details
✔ End with a call to action for coaches
Creating a high-impact soccer highlight video could be the difference between getting recruited or being overlooked. Follow these expert tips to ensure your video stands out, showcases your talent, and grabs the attention of the right scouts and coaches.
Good luck, and enjoy playing the ‘beautiful’ game!
