Production Workflow
Follow this 9-step process to transform raw footage into a compelling recruiting video.
Gather Footage
Collect all your game recordings. Ensure they are HD (1080p or 4K). Wide-angle footage (Veo/Trace) is best for showing tactical awareness, but broadcast view works for technical skills.
Pro Tips
• Quality Standards
Minimum 1080p resolution. Avoid phone recordings from the stands - they're too shaky and low quality. If you must use them, stabilize in editing first.
• Camera Angles
Tactical camera (Veo/Trace) shows your positioning, off-ball movement, and field awareness - crucial for midfielders. Broadcast angle is better for close-up technical skills like dribbling.
• Game Selection
Choose games where you had significant impact. 1-2 excellent games are better than 5 mediocre ones. Prioritize competitive matches over friendlies.
• File Organization
Create folders: '2024-Fall-Season', '2024-Summer-Tournament'. Name files: 'YYYY-MM-DD-Opponent-Result.mp4'. This saves hours later.
Select Highlights
Identify your best 15-20 plays. For midfielders like Luscien, focus on: vision/through balls, ball retention under pressure, defensive transitions, and goal contributions.
Pro Tips
• Position-Specific Clips
Forward: Goals, assists, hold-up play, pressing. Midfielder: Key passes, ball progression, tackles won, box-to-box runs. Winger: 1v1 take-ons, crosses, cutting inside, defensive tracking.
• Show Complete Plays
Don't just show the goal - show the build-up that led to it. Coaches want to see your decision-making process, not just the highlight.
• Avoid These Clips
Skip: Warm-ups, celebrations longer than 2 seconds, clips where you're barely visible, plays that didn't result in anything, obvious mistakes.
• The 3-Second Rule
If a coach can't identify what you did well in 3 seconds, cut the clip. Every second must demonstrate a skill or quality.
Import & Setup
Open CapCut (or your chosen editor) and create a new project. Set your resolution to 1080p and frame rate to 30fps or 60fps.
Pro Tips
• Project Settings
Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p). Frame Rate: Match your source footage (usually 30fps or 60fps). Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (standard YouTube/Hudl format).
• File Management
Keep all source files in one folder. Don't move or rename files after importing - it breaks the link. Create a backup of your project file every hour.
• Editor Choice
CapCut (free, easy), DaVinci Resolve (free, professional), or iMovie (Mac only). All work fine - don't overthink it.
• Performance Tip
If your computer is slow, create 'proxy' files (lower resolution copies) for editing, then export at full quality. CapCut does this automatically.
Trim Clips
Cut each clip to 5-10 seconds. Show the context (build-up), the action, and the immediate result. Remove dead time.
Pro Tips
• The Perfect Clip Length
5-8 seconds is ideal. Start 2 seconds before the action (shows context), end 1-2 seconds after (shows result). Total video should be 3-5 minutes max.
• Cut Ruthlessly
If you're standing still for more than 1 second, cut it. Coaches watch hundreds of videos - respect their time. Every frame must add value.
• Trim Technique
Use keyboard shortcuts: 'S' to split in CapCut. Watch each clip 3 times: once for start point, once for end point, once to verify.
• Pacing
Vary clip lengths slightly (5s, 7s, 6s, 8s) to create rhythm. Don't make every clip exactly the same length - it feels robotic.
Player Marking
This is crucial. Add an arrow or circle to identify yourself at the start of each clip. It should appear for 1-2 seconds then fade out.
Pro Tips
• Why This Matters
Coaches watch 50+ videos per day. If they can't find you in 2 seconds, they'll skip to the next video. Make it OBVIOUS.
• Best Marking Methods
Arrow (best for wide shots), Circle (best for close-ups), or Highlight effect. Use bright yellow or red - they contrast with grass. Add your jersey number inside the marker.
• Timing
Show marker for 1.5-2 seconds at the start of each clip, then fade out. Don't leave it on the entire clip - it's distracting. Reappear briefly if you move off-screen.
• CapCut Tutorial
Effects > Stickers > Search 'arrow'. Drag to timeline. Adjust size/position. Add animation: fade in (0.3s), stay (1.5s), fade out (0.3s). Copy this to all clips for consistency.
Intro Slate
Add a title card at the beginning with your key info: Name, Class Year, Position, Jersey #, Team, GPA, and Contact Info.
Pro Tips
• Essential Information
Name (large), Graduation Year (Class of 2027), Position (Central Midfielder), Jersey # (#10), Current Team (Rush Canada OPDL), GPA (3.8+), Height/Weight, Email, Phone.
• Design Tips
Use your team colors or keep it simple (white text on dark background). Font: Bold, sans-serif (Montserrat, Bebas Neue). Add your headshot photo on one side (optional but recommended).
• Duration
10-12 seconds. Long enough to read twice, short enough to not bore. Add subtle background music or keep silent - your choice.
• CapCut Template
Text > Add Text > Type info. Font size: Name (80), other info (40-50). Position: Center or left-aligned. Add subtle animation: fade in + slide up.
Ordering & Music
The first 30 seconds are critical. Start with your 3 best clips to hook the coach immediately. Group clips by skill (e.g., Passing, Dribbling, Defense) or keep chronological.
Pro Tips
• The Hook Strategy
First 3 clips = your absolute best. Think: game-winning goal, perfect through ball, crucial tackle. If a coach isn't impressed in 30 seconds, they'll stop watching.
• Organization Methods
Option 1: Best-to-good (recommended). Option 2: Skill groups (Attacking, Passing, Defending). Option 3: Chronological (recent to old). Never random order.
• Music Selection
INSTRUMENTAL ONLY. No lyrics - coaches find it distracting. Choose upbeat but not aggressive. Royalty-free sources: YouTube Audio Library, Epidemic Sound. Volume: 20-30% (subtle background).
• Length Guidelines
3-4 minutes is perfect. 5 minutes maximum. Under 3 minutes looks thin. Over 5 minutes, coaches will skip through. Quality > quantity always.
Export
Export your video as an MP4 file. Ensure the settings are 1080p quality. Name the file professionally: Name_Class_Position.mp4
Pro Tips
• Export Settings
Format: MP4 (H.264). Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p). Frame Rate: Same as source (30 or 60fps). Bitrate: 10-15 Mbps (high quality). Target file size: 200-400MB.
• File Naming
Format: FirstName_LastName_Class_Position.mp4. Example: 'Luscien_Yu_2027_Midfielder.mp4'. Professional naming helps coaches organize their files.
• Quality Check
After export, watch the entire video on your phone. Check: Is the marking visible? Is audio balanced? Any glitches? Can you read the intro text?
• Backup Strategy
Save 3 copies: 1) Project file (.ccut), 2) Exported video, 3) Cloud backup (Google Drive/Dropbox). You'll need to update this video every season.
Upload & Share
Upload to YouTube (Unlisted) or Hudl. Copy the link and start emailing college coaches!
Pro Tips
• Platform Choice
YouTube (Unlisted): Free, reliable, works everywhere. Hudl: Preferred by many coaches, integrates with recruiting tools. Vimeo: Professional, but requires paid account for privacy.
• YouTube Setup
Title: 'Luscien Yu - Class of 2027 - Midfielder Highlights'. Description: Include full contact info, GPA, team, achievements. Visibility: UNLISTED (not private, not public). Tags: soccer, recruiting, midfielder, class of 2027.
• Link Testing
Open link in Incognito/Private browsing. Verify: Video plays, info is visible, no login required. Send test email to yourself. Click link from email to confirm it works.
• Maintenance
Update video after each season (Fall, Spring). Add new clips to the front, remove weakest clips from the end. Keep the same link if possible - coaches bookmark them.