Tips for Forwards: Creating Your Recruiting Video

The biggest mistake you can make as a forward when creating a soccer recruiting video is to include only clips of yourself scoring goals! While having five consecutive minutes of you continuously scoring goals may seem great, I can guarantee that a college coach doesn't want to see only one dimension of your game. Depending on your playing style as a forward or winger. Ultimately, your recruiting video serves as a glimpse of what you can bring to a college soccer program. Yes, it's crucial to showcase your goal involvement, but you should also find other clips that answer the question, "What else can I offer as a forward?" Below are areas of your game that you should consider adding other than goal involvement if you are a winger or center forward. Keep in mind that the more versatile you are, the more opportunities you'll create for yourself to play at the next level.

For Wingers (7’s & 11’s):

1v1 Dribbling

Include some versatility in your 1v1 dribbling clips. The end product after taking on an opponent 1v1 shouldn't be limited to just crossing or taking a shot. Show your ability to beat your opponent 1v1 and produce different outcomes, such as slipping in another player, crossing the ball, or retaining possession. Demonstrating the ability to break down a defender in various ways indicates that you're an unpredictable attacker. Being an attacker who's hard to predict and can beat players in multiple ways leaves a more memorable impression than someone who only beats opponents 1v1 but consistently provides low-quality crosses in all their clips. Additionally, include clips of you picking up the ball different areas of the field, whether you're in deeper positions or around the opposing team's 18-yard box, showcase your ability to create all over the field. The more variety and positive outcomes in your 1v1 segment, the more excited a college coach will get when watching your recruiting video.

Link-Up Play

Similar to a hold-up player for a center forward, your ability to not only dribble at opponents but also combine with midfielders, outside backs, and forwards to create separation, get in behind, and create dangerous opportunities is essential. Just as with the 1v1 dribbling, showcasing different end products when combining with teammates highlights your ability to work with others to generate dangerous moments. This helps coaches gain a better understanding of your playing style and demonstrates that you're an well-rounded player with a strong sense of the game.

For Center Forwards (9’s):

Hold-Up Play

As a center forward, showcase your ability to help your team in tight situations. Can you control a long ball under pressure, maintain possession, and enable your teammates to advance up the field and establish possession in the middle or final third? While a center forward's primary role is to create goalscoring opportunities, your capacity to handle pressure and execute hold-up play is crucial. Even though these actions may not always directly result in goalscoring opportunities, they hold high significance for a well-rounded center forward.

1v1 Dribbling

Even in the role of a center forward, display your ability to take on players one-on-one. Whether it involves moments of drifting into wide spaces or driving up the middle to take on defenders, featuring clips of you challenging opponents demonstrates your skill as a dribbler, capable of creating goalscoring opportunities on your own.

Remember, including a variety of these elements in your soccer recruiting video will provide college coaches with a more comprehensive understanding of your abilities and enhance your chances of advancing to the next level. The more well-rounded you appear, the more opportunities you will create for yourself.

Box Running

Include clips of dangerous balls being played into the box and your ability to position yourself effectively in the 18-yard box. Showcase moments where you lose your defender and are the first to the ball. Better yet, include a few clips of making sacrificial runs to create space for other players in crucial areas. Utilize clips where you demonstrate good runs, and the end result may be a goal or assist, but not all clips need to be centered on goal involvement. This allows coaches to focus on your movements in the 18-yard box. If you're directly involved in creating a goal, even better.

Regardless of your playing style, make sure all segments have enough clips to show some variety. As previously mentioned, the more versatile you can be perceived, the more value you bring to yourself when going through the recruiting process.