Aspiring to play NCAA women’s hockey? Your recruitment video is a key piece of the puzzle, but what exactly are college coaches looking for? We recently surveyed both D1 and DIII women’s hockey coaches for their specific video-submission preferences to give you the inside scoop. Forget the guesswork – here’s what you need to know to make your video stand out.
Keep It Concise: Less Than 6 Minutes is Key
First and foremost, keep your video submission under 6 minutes. Coaches are busy, and a succinct, impactful video is far more likely to be watched in its entirety. This isn’t the time for a lengthy highlight reel; focus on quality over quantity.
Video: Helpful, But Not the Only Factor
While your video is “somewhat important,” coaches emphasized that it’s helpful but not critical for their initial evaluation. Think of it as a strong supporting document that complements your athletic profile and academic achievements. It’s a tool to get you noticed, not the sole determinant of your recruitment.
What Kind of Footage Do They Prefer?
This is where many players go wrong. Coaches overwhelmingly prefer full game shift-by-shift footage with selected shifts from multiple games (e.g., 10-15 shifts). They want to see you in real-game scenarios, demonstrating your hockey sense and decision-making under pressure.
What to avoid? Tightly edited highlight reels with just goals or flashy plays. Coaches want to see the full sequence of play, not just the spectacular finish. This provides a much more accurate representation of your abilities.
How to Submit Your Video
The preferred methods for submission are straightforward: YouTube, Hudl, or Instat. Providing a profile/channel link or a direct email attachment (e.g., an .mp4 file) are both acceptable. Note: Coaches made it clear that they will almost always watch your videos via another service if you’re already in that system.
When to Submit
Consistency is important. Aim to submit new video during recruiting season every 1-3 months. This keeps coaches updated on your progress and reminds them of your interest.
Special Considerations for Goalies
Goalies, pay close attention! Coaches want to see a mix of both full games and a highlight reel. Critically, they prefer gameplay highlights over practice sessions. When it comes to the content, they’re looking for a breadth of skills, including:
- Rebound control
- Puck handling
- Odd Man Rushes
- Net Front Scrambles
- High Danger Shots
Perhaps the most surprising insight for goalies: coaches find it helpful to show clips where you let in a goal but demonstrate strong fundamentals. This shows resilience, good technique even in challenging situations, and provides a more realistic assessment of your abilities than only showing perfect saves.
In Summary:
- Length: Under 4 minutes.
- Importance: Helpful, but not critical for initial evaluation.
- Content: Full game shift-by-shift with selected shifts from multiple games (20-30 shifts). Full sequence clips, not just highlights.
- Method: YouTube/Hudl/Instat link or direct email attachment. But know that coaches will review their own subscriptions service like Hudl/Instat to watch your footage.
- Frequency: Every 1-3 months during recruiting season.
- Goalies: Mix of full games & highlight reel, game play preferred, include clips demonstrating strong fundamentals even if a goal is scored.
By following these guidelines, you can create a recruitment video that truly resonates with Division 1 women’s hockey coaches and helps you take the next step in your athletic journey. Good luck!
READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC:
How to Create Player Videos for Recruiting
What Are The 3 Types of Recruiting Videos Coaches Want to See?
Creating Player Videos: Sourcing Game Footage For Highlight Reels
Creating Player Videos: How to Edit Video for Recruiting Highlight Reels
Creating Player Videos: Where to Post Your Recruiting Highlight Reels
🚨Champs App Profile 2.0 is Here – With Videos, References & More!
🎥 Upload Videos Directly
No need to upload to YouTube first! Just drag and drop video files straight into your profile. You can now also add Vimeo links in addition to YouTube.
