What to include in a Highlight Video for Defenders
It's easy to think that, as a defender aspiring to play soccer at the next level, you need goals, assists, and spectacular goal-saving tackles to create a quality soccer recruiting video. However, that couldn't be further from the truth. Whether you're playing in a wingback role, as a traditional outside back, or a central defender, there are plenty of moments that you can include in a recruiting video to showcase your worth to a college coach.
Central Defender
Aerial Duels: Heading has almost become a lost art in the game of soccer; however, college coaches are constantly seeking ball-winning defenders capable of challenging for a 50-50 ball and retaining possession or clearing their lines. College coaches specifically look for defenders unafraid to attack the ball. If this describes your style, ensure you have multiple clips in your highlight video of winning 50/50 balls. This alone will grab the attention of a college coach looking for a defender for their next recruiting class.
1v1 Defending: Another critical section to add as any type of defender is your 1v1 defending. Whether you're in the channel or right down the spine of the field, showcasing your ability to win 1v1 moments, keeping the ball in front of you, and not diving in while a player is dribbling at you is important. Your 1v1 defending moments don't necessarily need to end with a crunching tackle; in transition moments, showcase yourself delaying the attacker, allowing your teammates to get numbers behind the ball. This gives a coach an understanding of your situational decision-making and patience as a defender. 1v1 battles dictate the entire game for a defender; this segment in your recruiting highlight video is imperative. Make it clear that you dominate in these moments.
Tackles: Different from 1v1 defending moments, tackles can be shown throughout different moments in the game. Making a recovery run and putting in a clean challenge, coming across the grain of the field to help out a defender who got beat in a 1v1 moment.
Distribution: The next category is including your distribution. Colleges don't just want a defender who can tackle and win 50/50 moments, but the best defenders out there can also make the correct decisions when on the ball. (Not playing the fanciest pass all the time) The distribution segment can be an array of passing. For example, some videos can include long balls, while others can showcase your ability to break lines and progress the ball to the midfield and front line. Being able to showcase a wide range and weight of passes will increase your perceived value to a coach. The last thing you want is showcasing your ability to make 5-yard passes left and right. Coaches want and need to see defenders who aren't afraid to break lines and progress the ball with their distribution. This segment of your recruiting highlight video should give a coach all they need to know about your technical ability on the ball and how you see the field. In the modern game, every good defender needs to be a "ball-playing defender"; regardless of your physical strengths, you need to be confident on the ball to play at a high level.
Outside Back
As an outside back, all the segments above are great to add. However, there are additional segments you should be looking to include in your recruiting highlight video. Think of some of the best outside backs in the world currently: Alphonso Davies, Achraf Hakimi, Kyle Walker, Reece James. All of them are not only great defenders but their ability to attack in the channels and create attacking moments is unparalleled.
In addition to 1v1 defending, tackling, aerial duels, and distribution moments, you must showcase your ability to get behind the opposition and create goal-scoring moments in your recruiting highlight video. Similar to a 7 or 11 role, you should be looking to include your crossing ability, 1v1 attacking in the channel, and the ability to time your movements to create overloads. For more insights, check out our blog about "Tips for Forwards: Creating Your Recruiting Video," where you can find similar segments mentioned for wingers.
Depending on the information a college team plays, you might have the roles and responsibilities of a traditional winger in the wingback role. In the modern game, the outside back role has drastically changed, and it has now transformed. Regardless of your playing style, ensure that all segments have enough clips to show some variety. As a player going through the recruiting process, you want to give yourself the best opportunity at creating the most value for yourself. You can achieve this within a highlight video; make sure you showcase yourself in multiple situations within each segment. You do not want to give off a perception that you are one-dimensional!