Why do I need film?

Film is the #1 tool in recruiting.

Coaches can't be at every field, so they can't see every player. Film is how you get in front of them.

The reality of recruiting

Film is how you put yourself in front of the coach. Coaches go to see the players who sent them film.

They pick fields by matchup.
Then they watch whoever is playing there.
They arrive with a short list.
Everyone else is a maybe.
They look for athletes who got in touch first.
A reel in their inbox puts you on the list.
You might get lucky.
You could make a great play in front of a coach who came to watch someone else, but luck isn't how recruiting works.

THE COACH
After the game
Even if they see you, a note on a pad is all that lasts.
A coach jots down a name and a few words, then moves on to the next kid. Days and a few hundred players later, “really good” is all they have. Film gives them something to go back to: they can pull up your reel, refresh their memory, and check their notes against what they saw.
College coaches talking about why they need film

“It's a critical part of the recruiting phase now. To not have film is almost wrong.”

Watch the video and hear directly from college coaches on why film matters.

How recruiting works

Play. Get filmed. Send your reel.
Get on the radar.

Think of it this way: a highlight reel is the trailer. The athlete is the movie. It's short, it shows the best moments, and it makes coaches want to see more. That's the job of a highlight reel: get a coach interested enough to come watch you play and start talking.

Here's how it works, step by step
1
Get elevated film
NLV films your game from above, so every play is there to choose from, along with the context of how it developed.
2
Cut a short reel
Two to three minutes, best plays first, with a spot shadow so coaches know exactly who to watch. Build it from elevated film; ground-level shots usually don't belong in a reel.
To: Coach Smith  •  Subject: Jane Doe, 2028, Midfield
Hi Coach, here's my highlight reel. I'll be at the Southeast Showcase this weekend.
Highlight reel 2:30
3
Send it yourself
A short email with a link. You reach out. Coaches aren't searching for you.
Where I'll be playing
Oct 18 Fall Brawl
Field 4 • 10:40 AM
Nov 8 Winter Showcase
Field 2 • 2:15 PM
Coach Smith: Added. See you at Field 4!
4
Get on their schedule
Tell coaches where you'll be playing. If they like what they see, they can add your games to their schedule and come watch you in person.
Stay in touch. Keep sending coaches an updated reel as the season goes on, so they see you improve and keep you on their list.
Build your reel

What is a highlight reel, and how do I make one?

A highlight reel is two to three minutes of your best plays, cut from elevated footage because it shows how every play developed. Each play should have an isolation effect or spot shadow, so the coach knows exactly who to watch, and the whole reel goes to them as a link they can click and watch. Below is what goes into making one.

A great reel, at a glance
  • 2 to 3 minutes
    About one song
  • Best plays first
    They may not watch to the end
  • You, isolated
    A spot shadow shows who to watch
  • Clear, elevated film
    Every play in context
  • A quick intro
    Name, grad year, position, then action
1

Get footage

No footage, no reel. Order NLV film from your event, use film you already have, or shoot your own. Whichever way you get it, shoot from up high: ground-level shots usually don't belong in a reel.
See why elevated beats ground-level Find my event and order film
Elevated: every player in view
2

Pick the plays

Choose the plays that show who you are as a player, then keep the rest out. Four things to do, and four to skip.
  • Keep it to 2 to 3 minutes.
    A reel, not a feature film.
  • Best plays up front.
    They may not watch to the end.
  • Quality over quantity.
    Solid skills against good players.
  • Keep the intro short.
    Name, grad year, position, then action.
  • Don't run long.
    Need a second song? Too long.
  • Don't save your best play for last.
    If they stop early, they miss it.
  • No slow-mo replays.
    Coaches saw it the first time.
  • Don't overthink it.
    Pick plays that show who you are.
3

Edit it

Cut each play to the moment that matters, zoom in or out to frame the action, add a spot shadow so coaches know who to watch, and line them up best first.
Do it yourself
Use any editing software: iMovie, Final Cut, Premiere, even your phone. The clipping tool in your NLV player pulls each play for you.
Or we edit it
Send us your play list. We cut each play, add the spot shadow and a title card, and send you a link.
Spot shadow: who to watch
Need help editing? Learn more about our highlight reels, or order a package from an event.
How NLV works

We film every game, on every field. From above.

  1. We film everything

    We record the entire game. It follows the play with room to see it develop, whatever position you play.

  2. You pick a package

    Game Film, Game Film plus a highlight reel, or a Team Package.

  3. Access, edit, share

    Watch it in your account, clip your best plays, create your highlight reel, and send it to coaches.
Packages

Pick your package. Then split the cost.

For one athlete

Game Film

Every game your team plays at the event, in your account, with the clipping tool and SportsRecruits sync.
For one athlete

Game Film + Highlight Reel

Everything in Game Film, plus a highlight reel we edit for you.
Best value

Team Package

One price for the whole team, split any way you like, with a discount on highlight reels.
The more people, the lower the price.
A team package is one price, so every family who joins lowers what each one pays.
Game Film on its own$150
$600 team package, 10 families$60 each
$600 team package, 20 families$30 each
Example numbers only. Prices vary by event.
You're the admin. Sending film is simple.
Paste in your team's emails and send. Add people any time, or take access back from anyone who hasn't paid.
Ready when you are

Film is a need. Find your event.

Order elevated film, build your highlight reel, and get in front of coaches.

Find my event
343,800+
games filmed since 2009
5,700+
tournaments filmed