Recruiting
Filming Tips
The creation of a recruiting video is a team effort. The athletes must perform in competition and the parents must film the competitions and skills in the training facility. Below are a few filming tips and reminders that will improve the quality of your recruiting video.
Tips For Optimal Filming Angles And Skills To Film
General Tips
How To Capture Competition
- Designate a new videotape for the competition season and refrain from using it for other filming.
- Have a fully charged battery and back up battery (optional).
- Obtain a meet/match schedule so you have plenty of time to prepare for your athletes performance.
- Turn off the Date/Time display on your camera.
- When possible use a tripod or monopole when filming.
- Locate an unobstructed view of your athlete and alert others around you that you will be filming shortly.
- Do not zoom in and out while your athlete is on the apparatus or in play.
- Start recording 10 seconds before your athlete starts their routine and continue recording for 10 seconds after they have finished their routine.
- If you watch the meet footage before the next competition, make sure to rewind the tape and start the next meet recording within the 10-second period after the last routine in the previous competition.
- Label tape case with table of video contents.
What To Capture In The Gym: Gymnastics
- Film new skills or combinations that your athlete has obtained since the competition or did not perform in the competition.
- Film progression turns of a skill or combination that your athlete is close to mastering or has mastered since the competition.
- Basic skills are an important element to have, but not a necessity to show on a recruiting video. You can include a limited amount of basic skills but a concentration on skills and skill development is recommended.
What To Capture In The Gym: Volleyball
- Film your athlete’s skills in the gym that cover the elements of Serving, Hitting, Setting, Passing, Defense and Blocking
- Skills can be filmed using a coach or teammate tossing balls or in a live situation practice that involves other players (see examples of both in Tips For Optimal Filming Angles and Skills To Film section).
- Skills footage should be shot at net height and capture the athlete’s entire body and ball when possible. This will give the coach a more accurate perspective of the athlete’s jumping ability.