To Camp Or Not To Camp?

Most student athletes are confused on what to stay focused on during the summer months of their recruiting process. There are typically several options that present themselves to most student athletes across virtually every sport. It’s important that you not only take advantage of the options for exposure and training, but you also understand the timeline of the process in order to effectively take advantage of this time of year.

I would advise most families to seek out two camp opportunities over the course of the summer. Make sure to visit at least one schools camp that is actively showing interest. Make sure you read the signs to gauge just how interested a school is before you commit to any additional camps for the summer. If they’re reaching out on a personal level, whether that be phone (if NCAA rules permit, according to division level), email or personal hand written communications, make sure the coach wants you to be at his camp!

For the second camp or any other additional camps it’s ok to reach a bit to go see a higher level school, as long as you do the recruiting prep work before you attend the event. Most of the larger level schools will have smaller programs work their camps as well. Make sure to identify which additional schools may be at the larger camp you are planning to attend. That way you can reach out and introduce to those coaches before the camp and visit with them during the event..

I encourage every family to be fully educated on how to select a camp and recommend reading additional posts on this blog for more info.

In addition to selecting a camp, I recommend that each recruit understand what the normal recruiting pulse is for the summer. July tends to be a spotty month with contacting coaches. Coaches tend to have several obligations outside of the office during the summer months, so they may not be by their office phone or email account. I recommend that players remain patient when reaching out to coaches and leave plenty of time for follow up on the coaches’ end.

Once we leave July and head into August, recruiting will drastically slow down. Most fall sports will begin preseason camp at some point during the month, and naturally most coaches will focus their attention almost entirely on working with their current players to get them ready for the start of the season. I recommend that each high school recruit understand that it’s normal to have a slow August. During this time of the process you need to stay focused on having a tremendous preseason camp yourself. Stay healthy and help the younger players on your squad adjust and prepare to have a great year. If you and your teammates are playing well in the Fall, that will most certainly have a positive effect on your process.

Remember. The summers a great time to not only work on your game, but work on your recruiting process as well. Invest your time wisely, prepare to be a champion today!

July 14th, 2009 - by Rick McDole

More Eligibility Stuff

If you are planning to enroll in college as a freshman and you wish to participate in Division I or Division II sports, you must be certified by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse will analyze your academic information and determine if you meet the NCAA's initial eligibility requirements.

If you want to participate in Division I or Division II sports, you should start the certification process early, usually by the end of your junior year.

To be certified by the Clearinghouse, you must:

1. Graduate from high school.
   You should apply for certification before graduation. If you appear to meet NCAA requirements, the Clearinghouse will issue apreliminary certification report. After you graduate, the Clearinghouse will review your final transcript to make a final certification decision.
2. Take at least 14 core courses in the following areas*, earning at least a "C" or better:
   1. 4 years of English (3 years for Division II)
   2. 2 years of Mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
   3. 2 years of Social Science
   4. 2 years of Natural or Physical Science (including at least one laboratory class)
   5. 1 year of an additional course (English, Mathematics, or Natural or Physical Science - 2 yrs. for Division II)
   6. 3 years of extra core courses such as foreign language or any category above.
      
      *Beginning in 2008, Division I will require 3 years of math and 4 years of extra core courses for a total of 16 required core courses.
3. Earn a minimum combined score on the SAT I or the ACT with a minimum GPA in the 14 core courses. There are separate requirements for Division I and Division II schools.
   Division I requirements include an eligibility index that specifies the minimum GPA and test scores. This index is available in the Guidance Office and Career Center.
   Division II requires:
   

• Minimum 2.00 in the 14 core courses.
• Minumum of 68 (sum of scores on the 4 individual ACT subtests) or an 820 combined math and Critical Reading on the SAT.

REGISTER ONLINE!
Prospective student-athletes may register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse online. Simply go the Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse web site by clicking here. By registering online, prospects will be able to view their eligibility information online and will not have to call the clearinghouse for eligibility updates. Online registration saves time and allows prospective student-athletes to view their eligibility status up to six weeks faster than through the paper registration process.

For additional information, see your high school Guidance Specialist or visit the NCAA website.

Should I Attend a Post Graduate Prep School?

What is a postgraduate year?

A postgraduate, or "PG year" as it is often called, is a full academic year of study generally pursued between graduation from high school and matriculation at a college or university. A PG year is offered at many independent schools throughout the country and usually involves a residential experience.

Who might be interested in a postgraduate year?

Reasons for pursuing a PG year are almost as varied as the interests, personalities, and ability range of any broad cross-section of college bound students. A student may need another year after high school to develop basic academic skills. A student-athlete may have put more emphasis on athletics and less on studies in high school, or a student may have discovered a latent athletic talent too late in a school career to gain the notice of college coaches. Another might have graduated a year younger than most classmates and may feel the need for additional maturation before college. Still others find themselves with college choices which no longer match their needs, but are beyond the point at which it is feasible to begin a new college search and still meet deadlines; rather than commit to an inappropriate college choice, such students might use the postgraduate year as a second chance at the college admission process.

Actually, the only common characteristic of all postgraduate students seems to be their common desire to improve themselves in preparation for a college education. Students who successfully complete a postgraduate year invariably enter college directly after graduation. Further, the traditional PG year lessons in personal organization and confidence building, combined with development of genuine intellectual curiosity, have lifelong value which transcends the college years.

BENEFITS OF A POST GRADUATE YEAR OF FOOTBALL

*ENHANCE CLASSROOM ABILITIES FOR COLLEGE

*ALLOW FOR IMPROVEMENT OF GPA AND SAT/ACT TEST SCORES

*TEACH SELF-DISCIPLINE REQUIRED FOR COLLEGE CLASSES

*DEVELOP BETTER STUDY HABITS THROUGH STUDY HALL

*INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAMS OF STUDY

*NO LOSS OF COLLEGE ELIGIBILITY

*IMPROVE TECHNIQUE THROUGH USE OF VIDEOTAPING

*PROVIDE ADDITIONAL YEAR FOR GROWTH AND MATURITY

*ENHANCE STRENGTH AND AGILITY IN A SUPERVISED, MONITORED PROGRAM

*ALLOW INELIGIBLE SENIORS TO PLAY ANOTHER SEASON

Should You Call Or Email College Coaches?

Calling coaches can be one of the most intimidating aspects of a student-athlete’s recruiting process, but it can also be one of the most important. If you are interested in a college/university it is vital that you be in contact with the coach. A coach is never going to invite a prospect to be part of their team if they don’t know the student-athlete and have a sense of their character.

The only real way to build a relationship with a coach is to communicate with them. It is difficult to get to know someone through email and for all that coach knows it could be a parent writing to them, not the student-athlete. It is okay to have initial contact with a coach through email, as long as you progress towards phone calls.

Coaches want to speak with you on the phone so they can get to know you. If you are late in the recruiting process, the more important phone calls become because they will get your questions answered quicker and the rapport will build more rapidly. Remember that you can call a coach at any time, but coaches have strict rules placed upon them by the NCAA depending on what year in high school you are.

Before you call a coach, you must prepare. In order to be adequately prepared for a call with a coach, there are a couple things you must do. First, you need to research the school you plan to call. You should learn some background information on the school and program so you will be comfortable talking with the coach and answering their questions. Second, you should write down a list of questions that you plan to ask the coach. These are some good questions to ask:

· Does your school offer the major I’m interested in?
· What is your graduation rate?
· What is the average class size?
· Are you looking for my position in (your graduation year)?
· When do you want your (your graduation year) class completed by?
· Where do I stand on your list of recruits?
· If I attend your school will I compete as a freshman?
· What is a typical day like for a student-athlete on your team?
· Is there anything else you need from me?

As a rule ask only two to four questions per conversation. Coaches are extremely busy people and if the interest level is mutual, you will have plenty of future conversations to get all of your questions answered. Lastly, you are going to want to have at least a couple of practice phone calls. A good way to practice is to role play with a teammate, family member or coach. This will give you a chance to ask the questions you intend to ask a coach and will get you used to how the conversation should go.

Always remember to be enthusiastic when speaking with the coach so they will want to have future conversations with you and believe you when you say you are interested in their school. The most important thing to remember is that they are just like any other adult. Try not to put them too high up on a pedestal because that will make you more nervous. They are a coach, just like the countless coaches you have had in the past. They are aware that it is difficult for a high school student to pick up the phone and call them and they will respect you more for it. Prepare yourself as best you can and just be yourself!

NCSA

Frequently Asked Questions About Football Scholarships

What are the chances of playing college sports?

The NCAA has estimated that the probability of competing in athletics at the college level are not great. For example, according to the NCAA, high school men's basketball has close to 500,000 players; 157,000 are seniors. There are approximately 4,500 freshman positions available. This means that approximately 3% of high school senior basketball players will play NCAA sponsored basketball. Don't be put off by these figures. What hasn't been taken into account is that a large percentage of high school graduates will not attend college. These figures do not include NAIA, NCCAA, NJCAA colleges. Your chances of receiving athletic scholarship offers will vary depending on the sport you play. Another big factor is the application of Title IX for women athletes.

How good am I and at what level can I compete?

Take a step back and try to honestly assess your athletic talent level. How do you stack up physically? Ask your coaches for their opinion. Make a list of the colleges that may want you to play sports for them and start to market yourself to those coaches. Remember, you are marketing your ability to be of use to a college sports program, so its to your benefit to have a clear idea of where you might fit in to that sports program. Most of all be realistic with yourself.

What are you looking for in a college?Look for a good fit for you.

Would you consider attending a particular college if you were not going to play sports at that college? You want to go to a college that you would attend even if you were not playing sport.

Does the college have the academic majors and social features that are suited to you?

Does the college have a solid tutoring program?

What is the graduation rate for student athletes and in what sports?

Does the college sponsor your sport? Not all colleges sponsor every sport, check it out first.

Do you want to live at home, be fairly close to home or attend college at a distance from home?

Do you want to attend a big school-medium school-small school?

Are you willing to attend a college affiliated with a religious denomination that is not your own?

Do you have an idea of the substantial time you must invest at the college level to participate in sports?

Do you know that some schools such as NCAA Division III schools can not offer athletic scholarships but can offer excellent educational and sports opportunities?

Start a list of things that are important to you in a college and revise the list as you refine your search.

Will I play?

A coach may well tell you that you are competing for a starting position. This may or may not be completely accurate. Coaches often have a good idea of what positions are set for the following year. In any case, many things can happen in four [4] years that will allow you to get your shot. Always keep in mind that your primary goal is a quality college education.

Who can make my goal of playing college sport and getting a athletic scholarship happen?

YOU, YOU, YOU and only you. You can get assistance from your parents, coaches and recruiting services but ultimately you are the only person that can make your dream of playing college sport come true. Make lists, ask questions, write letters surf the web for information and ask your coaches and academic advisors for tips and advice. If you know of someone who has been through the recruiting process make it a point to talk to them and seek their advice. You must be relentless in the pursuit of your goal. Don't count on anyone else to help you accomplish your goal, except your parents who truly will move heaven and earth if they could to help you get that athletic scholarship.


What does it take to play college sport?You must have: Talent, character, academic credentials, motivation, exposure, luck and good timing. Even if you have all of these and work your tail off, there is absolutely no guarantee that you will get an athletic scholarship. BUT, if you don't work hard, do not do your research and think that because you have some athletic ability that college coaches will be knocking at your door or calling you at all hours--then just forget it. Only the elite or "blue-chip" athlete will be pursued by colleges automatically. There is a real chance that the college coach in your own home town has no idea who you are.

YOU MUST LET THE COLLEGE COACHES KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU CAN OFFER THEIR SPORTS PROGRAM.

You must also bear in mind that playing sport at college level is very time consuming and you must be extremely disciplined if you are to maintain your studies. Remember your primary reason for going to college is to earn a DEGREE.

When should I start the ball rolling on playing college sports?

NOW!!!!. Time can be your friend or foe. Make time an asset and use it to your advantage. Start your college research right now regardless of whether you plan to play college sports or not. Research colleges and how they rank academically and socially. Find colleges that can offer you the academic, social and sports programs you are interested in. Last but not least learn about financing a college education. START NOW.

What about grades and test scores?

IMPORTANT-IMPORTANT-IMPORTANT. Simply put--get good grades. Test scores and your class rank can mean scholarship money towards your college tuition. IN ADDITION TO ANY ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP YOU MIGHT RECEIVE. Don't coast your senior year. College classes are tough so don't slack off and get into any bad habits. If you have all your high school credits then take a college class or two to get a jump start on your college education. You will need to meet and maintain certain scholastic minimums to even play college sports. So hit the books now and get into the habit. Its to your advantage no matter how things work out with your athletic scholarship aspirations.

What about college finances?

Now is the time to start your research on college finances. Learn everything you can about this subject. You certainly want the best deal for yourself and the least amount of debt possible when you graduate. Text books alone can cost upwards of $1,000 per year. Many athletic programs will not offer you a full-ride scholarship but rather a partial athletic scholarship which means you will have to come up with the additional funding. Some schools do not offer athletic scholarship funding, {E.G. NCAA Division 111}, but can have both excellent sport and academic programs. Become familiar with the FAFSA, {Free Application for Federal Student Aid Form}, that colleges require to process Federal Aid and in most cases state and other college aid.

What kind of schools offer athletic scholarships?

NCAA Division 1, NCAA Division 2, NAIA , NJCAA Division 1 , and NJCAA Division 2 can offer athletic scholarships. Also you should be aware that individual colleges and conferences have their own athletic scholarship rules and policies.

Can I play college sports without a athletic scholarship?

YES-YES-YES. NCAA Division 111, NCCAA Division 11, and NJCAA Division 111 junior colleges offer excellent opportunities to play sports at the college level and obtain a quality education without the benefits of a athletic scholarship. Athletes who excel at the junior college level often transfer with a scholarship to other colleges. if your heart is absolutely set on a particular school that does not seem interested in your athletic talents then consider "walking on "- Yes I know its a long shot but remember, nothing ventured nothing gained.

How can I gain exposure?Do you play with good teams? Is your conference known as a tough conference with top notch competition? Do you play summer or club sports, attend camps and play in tournaments? These things can help but good teams aren't everything. Write letters, complete athletic questionnaires that many colleges have on their web sites, have a highlight video made of you in action,( most coaches will want to see a complete game tape as well, not just highlights), and ask your coaches for any help or advice they can give you. Be creative and relentless. The key is to get college coaches to notice you and become familiar with your talents.

What are college coaches looking for?

The college coach is looking for an athlete that will fit in and help the program succeed. Coaches want to keep their jobs, receive promotions and get better jobs, their success on the field is their best way of doing this. Coaches also look for what they need at the time. For example, the starting point guard is a senior so the coach is therefore looking to develop a replacement. If you are a really talented athlete then timing is not as important but to most athletes timing could mean everything. Remember your agenda is to play college sport and receive a quality education. Coaches have a different agenda so use your head and evaluate each situation. What situation is best for you and feels right, Ask questions and visit the campus, ask your high school coaches for their opinions. To sum up, be aware that what the college coach wants is not necessarily what you want, look at the roster, you will be able to see where the gaps will be in say 12 months, if you can fill one of those gaps your off to a great start.

Can my high school coach help me?

Yes, of course. Most will. It all depends on your relationship with your coach and your level of talent. Discuss your goals with your high school coach and keep your coach up to date with your progress. I have first hand knowledge of an athlete who kept his coach in the picture, it turned out that his high school coach had played with the college coach at one of the colleges he had short listed, Yes he got the scholarship. There are many high school coaches who will do anything they can to help the student athlete. These are the coaches who will fill out questionnaires, and write letters of recommendation for you and make phone calls to college coaches for their athletes. Your high school coach's opinion is very important, after all, you have most likely been part of that coaches athletic program for 4 years and your high school coaches knows your abilities better than anyone. Talk to your high school coach and find out if you can count on his/her support, in most cases your coach will be happy to help. Remember you have to do the work, your coach can only help, don't rely on your coach doing it all for you.

How important is timing?

Timing is very important as is everything in life. if a college has quarterbacks that are freshman, sophomores or juniors how anxious do you think the college would be to add another quarterback to their program next year? The college you are really interested in might simply not have a need for your specific talent. This doesn't make things impossible only harder. If you really want to play at a particular school don't let anything stand in your way but always keep your options open.

If I get the chance should I sign early?

Tough question. You have to ask yourself a few questions first. Is this the college I really want to attend? Is this the best deal I am going to get? Will this take the pressure of recruitment and choosing a college off me? Remember that the offer may very well not be there later, don't ever think that you are the only athlete that's been approached. This is a tough call but if you have done your homework and know what you want it should make your decision easier.

What are the recruiting regulations?

Each college association has its own rules and regulations for recruiting and eligibility. Check out the web sites of associations such as the NCAA, NAIA, NCCAA, NJCAA. Its your responsibility to know the rules. Do not count on anyone else.

Are there other rules to be aware of other than those of the NCAA, NAIA ,NJCAA. etc.?

Each college may have their own recruiting and eligibility rules. Each college conference may also have their own rules and regulations. These rules and regulations can sometimes be more stringent than those of major athletic associations Check with the school or conference to which the school belongs.

What is Title IX?

Title IX is a federal law that states "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." Title IX has been with us for nearly 40 years yet women still only account for 42% of college athletes, and women's sports programs receive only 32% of the recruiting dollars and 36% of overall athletic funding in colleges and universities with substantial sports programs.

I am receiving calls and letters from coaches, can I count on a scholarship now?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! Coaches telephone and send letters and questionnaires to many more student athletes than they actually recruit. It's a good sign to receive calls and letters but remember that the recruiting process is not complete until you sign. Other players are competing with you for the same roster spot and if someone else accepts before you, or is considered a better prospect than you, then that coaches interest in you will disappear overnight.

Should I be completing and returning all of these questionnaires I am receiving?

Yes! If you have any interest in the school whatsoever, or think that you might be interested in the school then send back the questionnaires. Completing a questionnaire will show the coach that you are really interested in playing for that school. It wont hurt you to complete all the questionnaires you receive, you don't know how things will work out later on during the recruiting process and some coaches will actually pass your resume onto other coaches they know.

What about recruiting services?

Just like everything else--check them out--if you can--There are hundreds of them. Find out exactly what is offered. If a recruiting service guarantees you a scholarship and you believe them then you are gullible as well as stupid. Does the recruiting service offer services that you can perform yourself? Some athletic recruiting services charge upwards of $3000 which is a lot of money whichever way you look at it. Make sure that whatever fee you pay is value for money.

There are some really good athletic scholarship recruiting services out there, they prepare your resume for you and they have up to date database's containing the the names and contacts of all the college coaches, but remember, you can do all this yourself but it will take a lot of time and effort. The good services will explain to you exactly what they do and what to expect, they will tell you that there are no guarantees.

There is no point using a athletic recruiting service that just posts your profile online. Coaches don't go surfing the web very often looking for talent; don't use a service that sends your resume out on their letterhead, it must look like it was written and sent by you.

Finally beware of anyone who claims to know the "secrets" of the recruiting process; there are no secrets just as there are no guarantees.

What is the NCAA?The NCAA is the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The NCAA is the organization through which it's member schools administer athletics at a national level. For further information see our "resource links" page.

How many NCAA Divisions are there?

There are three (3) Divisions in the NCAA. Division I and II colleges offer athletic scholarships, division III colleges cannot offer scholarships based on athletic ability but can and do offer other forms of financial aid. Details about the differences between the divisions of the NCAA.

What is the NCAA Clearinghouse?

To participate in NCAA Division 1 and 2 athletics as a freshman you must meet minimum academic requirements and register with the NCAA Clearinghouse.

What is the NCAA Letter of Intent?

This is a document that sets out your agreement or "intent" to attend the college for which you have signed for 1 academic year in exchange for college financial aid, including an athletic scholarship. The NCAA letter of intent or NLI is for Division 1 and 2 athletes.

What is the NAIA?

The NAIA is the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. It is an organization that promotes athletics as an integral part of education. NAIA member colleges award athletic scholarships. For further information see our "Resource links" page.

What is the NJCAA?

The NJCAA is the National Junior College Athletic Association. Junior college is an excellent way to get both a quality education and play college sports at an affordable price. NJCAA member schools in Division1 and 2 offer athletic scholarships. NJCAA Division 3 schools do not offer athletic scholarships.

What is the NJCAA Letter of Intent?

The NJCAA Letter of Intent is basically the same as for the NCAA and commits the athlete to that institution for 1 academic year.

What is the NCCAA?

The NCCAA is the National Christian College Athletic Association. Many NCCAA colleges are also NCAA or NAIA members. The NCCAA is divided into Division1 and 2 schools. Division 1 colleges offer athletic scholarships, division 2 colleges do not.

Recruiting 101

FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP

So you’re a high school senior and you feel like you’ve been overlooked for a football scholarship? You can promote yourself to colleges without paying thousands of dollars to recruiting services. With that in mind, here are four easy steps to put yourself in the best position to be considered for an athletic scholarship:

1. PRODUCE A HIGHLIGHT FILM

It always has been about — and always will be about —- the film. Nothing, including glorified letters, personalized Web sites or phone calls from family friends or boosters, means as much as film. Film gives scouts the best opportunity to evaluate.

The best type of film is a highlight tape, which will consist of the top 25-35 plays combined from junior and senior years. Why not more? Most scouts will decide whether you’re good enough for their program after watching only a few minutes, and if so, then they likely will request an entire game film [but not always].

Computer programs with basic editing software cost less than $25, and a lot of people are skilled at editing.

Quick tip: Make sure to put the best plays at the front of the tape. Scouts go through hundreds of tapes a day, and time is short.

2. PREPARING THE PACKAGE

After preparing the tape, the next step is completing the rest of the package, which should include unofficial copies of high school transcripts and SAT/ACT scores, which are available from the school’s guidance counselor.

Also include a simple page of “quick facts, ” which shows contact information, such as your mailing address, cellphone, and e-mail address. It also can highlight football-related items, including height and weight, 40-yard dash times, positions played, individual statistics, and athletic and academic honors. Jersey number and position should be taped to the DVD in large block letters.

Quick tip: When mailing packages to colleges, save 50 percent in postage costs by requesting the “book rate.”

3. PICKING THE COLLEGES

This is the part of the marketing process where most mistakes are made. Unknown prospects sometimes mail tapes directly to schools like USC, Georgia or Notre Dame. You should at least have a few offers from smaller colleges (Div. II, I-AA) before targeting the “big boys.”
While there is nothing wrong with big dreams, there is a method to the recruiting madness: Start off with the smaller schools and build leverage from there.

For each 10 tapes you send out, five should go to schools you think you are too good to play for; three should go to schools you think you could play for, and two should go to schools you dream of playing for. If you get an offer from Shorter College, then West Georgia or Morehouse may be willing to look at your film, and then Georgia Southern and Georgia State, and so forth.
Quick tip: Target colleges from surrounding states (North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina and Kentucky) that traditionally recruit the state very hard. Florida colleges may be a waste of time because they tend to stay in-state with recruiting due to the tremendous amount of local prospects. If you are from the south, make sure you send your package to schools in the midwest.

*IF YOUR GRADES AND ACT/SAT ARE NOT GOOD..YOU SHOULD SEND YOUR PACKAGE TO SEVERAL JUNIOR COLLEGES!!!!!!!!!!!

You can play semi-pro football while you attend your local junior college without affecting your eligibility as long as no one on the team is being paid! If you take this route, do not enroll full time. Enrolling full-time starts your eligibility clock. You have 5 years to play !

4. CLOSING THE DEAL

While the most important thing is the highlight tape, No. 2 is following up with colleges about 10-14 days after mailing the packages. College coaches have hundreds of DVDs on their desks, with many more waiting to be opened. So think of it like applying for a job: To get noticed, you need to be persistent but polite with phone calls or e-mails.

Quick tip: When you get to particular school’s Web Site, search under “Athletics” and not “Football”, looking for a “Staff Directory” or “Administration.”

The Importance of Highlight Videos

Top 5 Rules for Making Football Recruiting Highlight Videos

After talking to several scouts and watching tons and I mean tons of films of prospects, here are some tips on highlight videos that YOU MUST follow:

RULE #1: Put Your Best Plays First

There’s no need to hold out, this is not a feature film with a plot. Scouts have to watch many films and they are not likely to get beyond 4 minutes in your film at the most. Put your best 10 plays as the first 10 clips on your film. They need to know right away what kind of player you are.

RULE #2: Point Out Where You Are On The Film

This applies to all players except QB’s and RB’s. It’s hard as hell to find some players on grainy footage when they are mixed in with 8 other players on a play. Use some kind of highlight effect on your video. Whether it’s an arrow, shading everyone else out at the start of the play or putting some kind of special effect over you before the play. This is especially important for defensive players like defensive linemen and linebackers. Also ultra important for offensive linemen.

RULE #3: Watch Your Music Choices

The music on your tape is going to represent who you are. If the song you have on your video represents violence, domestic abuse, drug dealing, profanity, it’s going to be hard for someone watching it to believe that you are someone that’s likely to take advantage of a college education. It will be hard not to worry that you will do something in school that could get you kicked out. I recommend putting the instrumental version of all songs you choose on your highlight video that way there’s no mistakes.

RULE #4: If You Don’t Know What You Are Doing Get A Professional

The idea of making your own highlight video can be a thrill but your high school football highlight video is not the one to experiment with. If you don’t know what you are doing, get someone who does. Getting one made can cost some decent money but it’s a worthwhile investment if you are a player. That highlight video could save you $thousands on a college education. Get a job, ask an uncle or a rich auntie, make a deal with mom or day to help you pay to have a video made. Nothing will turn a scout off faster than a poorly made tape that’s hard to follow.

RULE #5: Don’t Keep It A Secret

Whether you think you are big time recruit or not, it does nothing for you to have a tape made if you are going to keep it a secret. Get your tape sent out to the schools you are interested in. Upload your video to our own personal web site and other sites that promote high school athletes. The more people that see it, the better it is for you. Get discovered, be confident and tell people who you are.