How to prepare tennis video for a college coach

[tennisconsultcom]

I was asked to answer that question from my son's friend who is looking a athletic scholarship in D1. Here some tips I found on the Internet and posted on my tennis blog:

10-15 minutes in total length. The college tennis coach usually watches only 3-5 minutes of the video. Be sure you start with your best footage.
- Start with some match points. Points that make your footwork look great and points that are several shots long showing the development of a point.
- Be sure to identify yourself in the clips – by using graphics explaining you are in the blue shirt on the far side, or with titles put on the clip. Also write it on the outside of the shirt so the coach knows which player is you. It is very important that this be clear, and that you are not selling one of your opponents to a coach instead of yourself.
- The tennis match does not should be a tournament match, though it can be. You can set up a practice match at your club, and film it with one stationary camera. That would get you enough footage to put together ten minute product. A high school match is also very good – the uniforms make it easier to identify the players and it looks more “official”.
- The editing does not need to be professional or slick. But t should be supervised/final edited by a tennis pro or good college level tennis player who can see if the clip makes your footwork and strokes look good, or not.
- Get this video footage no later than the summer before your senior year. There are so many summer tournaments and opportunities to get this footage, that this would be the best way to find an appropriate match to highlight your best play.
- A personal, short introduction of the tennis player speaking into the camera, smiling and showing positive attitude, is a nice touch. Player should state his/her name, city, state of residence, age and what match might be included in the footage.
- Add titles with your name, phone, and email, year in school, and date that was made.

Can you add something for that?

[JLyon]

when playing matches, have video playing an opponent at same level or better
watching a video and seeing a kid just pound his over-matched opponent is not worth the time

[tennisconsultcom]

It is also important how to behave the right way on the tennis court during the recording of a video for a college coach: attitude, footwork, effort, and short selection; the nuts and bolts of the game. I post one more article about all that stuff.

[Bowtiesarecool]

I can't stand watching the recruiting vids on YouTube. Nor can I understand how a kid trying to get noticed, might think a lengthy video of them being fed balls by a coach/friend could get the job done. It's highly unlikely a recruiter is going to pick anyone because of their devastating topspin forehand up the middle while standing still.