While its important to be seen by recruiters, the format in which you present yourself and your abilities is very important. Many times, I've had players ask me for game films so they can put together a 'sick' highlight film. I'll admit, there are benefits to highlight films, my overall belief is that compared to full game film, or being seen in person (best case) they fail overwhelmingly and are not often worth the time it takes to put them together. More often than not, they really do make me... sick. Remember this, when a school invests a scholarship on you, they're investing in all of you... not just your best moments.
Schools rarely come out to see someone in person without some type of influencing factor. Whether they saw you in the summer, spoke to a coach, or even saw a film of you online, they need to make a decision whether or not it is worth the investment of their time and budgeted money to come see you.
Nobody is going to come see you based on a highlight film. Why? They won't come because they don't trust the highlight film. I certainly don't. While I am not a college coach, I have received more highlight films than I want by people who want to attend (usually get a scholarship to) our prep school. What a highlight film can tell me is that you are capable of making some nice plays, hitting some shots, or dunking a ball. At its best I can see what you look like, how long your arms appear to be in proportion to the rest of your body, and (in a best case scenario) if you have any sort of athleticism. Its a decent first glance, and does a little more than a still photograph, but that's it. And I guarantee you, I'm not suggesting to my school that we spend a scholarship on someone because they have a good highlight film. However, I may ask for a full game film based on what they look like in a highlight film.
Highlight films tend to blend together and its nearly impossible to stand out. Everyone in their highlights hits every shot they take. Of course they do, the misses are edited out. They never turn the ball over, they get every rebound, they block every shot, and every pass is an assist. Again, everything not extraordinary is edited out. And why not? It makes no sense to put in mistakes when other people are putting in their greatest hits. The problem is though, that in a sea of highlight films, being perfect doesn't stand out. Plus, everyone watching those films if often bored, knowing they're not seeing true player. To me, its a waste of time, and I'm usually left bored with your taste of music.
Solution: For me, the best I can receive is full game film. Let coaches know what number you are and if you are home or away, and they can see for themselves if you fit their system and what they are looking for. If you do, great. If you don't neither your or the coach's time is being wasted. That's a good thing. I always say, the best school out there is the one that wants YOU. A full game film is the best way for a coach to determine whether or not they want you in their program. It cuts out all the extra unneeded steps that only waste time. Plus, if you really want to impress people, then give a film where you stand out. Trust me, your highlight film song choice, or slow motion features will not help you stand out. Dominate for a full game against decent competition, now that will impress people.
One of the benefits of highlight film is that it is easy to get online. True, however full games can go online too. Sometimes you have to cut them up in 10-15 minute clips, but it still saves time in editing and if you send out a series of links to college coaches, they are more likely to sit down and watch the full game to make an honest evaluation of your skills. Again, if they like what they see and think you are a fit, they will come see you (or bring you to see them) if their budget allows for it. Nobody is going to offer you a scholarship based on highlight film. That's a sure way to get fired. Full game film offers are also rare, however coaches are more likely to come see you play based off of full game film as opposed to highlight film.
Quick recap: When it comes to promoting yourself and your skills, remember that coaches are looking for complete basketball players. Highlight films do not show that. Full games do. Remember, you cannot fool your way into success. Find the right level where you can play and contribute positively. Full game film, more so than highlight film can help you do that.
For more information, follow me on twitter @coachdesautels
Schools rarely come out to see someone in person without some type of influencing factor. Whether they saw you in the summer, spoke to a coach, or even saw a film of you online, they need to make a decision whether or not it is worth the investment of their time and budgeted money to come see you.
Nobody is going to come see you based on a highlight film. Why? They won't come because they don't trust the highlight film. I certainly don't. While I am not a college coach, I have received more highlight films than I want by people who want to attend (usually get a scholarship to) our prep school. What a highlight film can tell me is that you are capable of making some nice plays, hitting some shots, or dunking a ball. At its best I can see what you look like, how long your arms appear to be in proportion to the rest of your body, and (in a best case scenario) if you have any sort of athleticism. Its a decent first glance, and does a little more than a still photograph, but that's it. And I guarantee you, I'm not suggesting to my school that we spend a scholarship on someone because they have a good highlight film. However, I may ask for a full game film based on what they look like in a highlight film.
Highlight films tend to blend together and its nearly impossible to stand out. Everyone in their highlights hits every shot they take. Of course they do, the misses are edited out. They never turn the ball over, they get every rebound, they block every shot, and every pass is an assist. Again, everything not extraordinary is edited out. And why not? It makes no sense to put in mistakes when other people are putting in their greatest hits. The problem is though, that in a sea of highlight films, being perfect doesn't stand out. Plus, everyone watching those films if often bored, knowing they're not seeing true player. To me, its a waste of time, and I'm usually left bored with your taste of music.
Solution: For me, the best I can receive is full game film. Let coaches know what number you are and if you are home or away, and they can see for themselves if you fit their system and what they are looking for. If you do, great. If you don't neither your or the coach's time is being wasted. That's a good thing. I always say, the best school out there is the one that wants YOU. A full game film is the best way for a coach to determine whether or not they want you in their program. It cuts out all the extra unneeded steps that only waste time. Plus, if you really want to impress people, then give a film where you stand out. Trust me, your highlight film song choice, or slow motion features will not help you stand out. Dominate for a full game against decent competition, now that will impress people.
One of the benefits of highlight film is that it is easy to get online. True, however full games can go online too. Sometimes you have to cut them up in 10-15 minute clips, but it still saves time in editing and if you send out a series of links to college coaches, they are more likely to sit down and watch the full game to make an honest evaluation of your skills. Again, if they like what they see and think you are a fit, they will come see you (or bring you to see them) if their budget allows for it. Nobody is going to offer you a scholarship based on highlight film. That's a sure way to get fired. Full game film offers are also rare, however coaches are more likely to come see you play based off of full game film as opposed to highlight film.
Quick recap: When it comes to promoting yourself and your skills, remember that coaches are looking for complete basketball players. Highlight films do not show that. Full games do. Remember, you cannot fool your way into success. Find the right level where you can play and contribute positively. Full game film, more so than highlight film can help you do that.
For more information, follow me on twitter @coachdesautels
