Recruiting Videos
I want to share my insights on this topic, as I have watched numerous videos, created highlight reels, and listened to recruiting coaches discuss the importance of video in the recruiting process.
Table of Contents
Volleyball Recruiting Videos recommendations
✔ Keep it simple—no need for special effects, just clear player identification and the right plays.
✔ Avoid adding music, transition effects, or visual markers (arrows/circles) around the player. You can create volleyball videos with effects for fun for your friends. You will get a lot of interaction from them.
✔ Maintain a YouTube channel to host your videos and an effective recruiting profile page with key information that allows recruiting coaches to evaluate you and reach out to you or your coach.
✔ DO NOT start the video with serves, even if they are aces—this is the least important skill for coaches.
✔ Begin the video with a title screen featuring the player’s photo and key details: name, jersey number & color, position, graduation year, height, team name, and video date.
✔ Do not exceed 5 minutes.
For a more detailed breakdown of video length, clip order, filming, position-specific footage and common mistakes, read our complete guide to creating a volleyball recruiting video.
How Long Should a Volleyball Recruiting Video Be?
A recruiting video should be long enough for a coach to evaluate you but short enough to keep their attention.
Start with your strongest and most relevant plays instead of making the coach wait through a long introduction. Make it obvious which athlete they should watch and organize the footage around the skills that matter for your position.
Coaches who want a deeper evaluation can then watch additional clips or full-game footage.
Follow this video structure, recommended based on the position
Hitters:
- Hitting from the primary position (demonstrating different tempos)
- Hitting from alternate positions
- Passing from left-back, middle-back, and right-back
- Blocking
- Defensive plays
- Serving (if there is time)
Middle Blockers:
- Blocking (both on first ball and blocking transition to attack)
- Hitting (on the first ball and transition)
- Attacking from serve-receive (if the case)
- Serving (if there is time)
Setters:
- Setting in different locations and using various styles/tempos:
- 1. Middle
- 2. Right side
- 3. Left side
- Blocking
- Attacks
- Defense
- Serving (if there is time)
Liberos/Defense Specialists:
- Passing in all 3 positions (back)
- Defense in all 3 positions (back)
- Ability to pass from everywhere on the court
- Serving
Volleyball Recruiting Emails
You must ensure you answer quickly and clearly why you are a great athlete and candidate.
The Follow-up Emails:
✔ Keep the Email Subject the same, but add the name “Jane Scott 2027 6’4” setter, All Star, playing up in U18, Premier.”
✔ Include volleyball news and achievements, but nothing more.
✔ Add links to your updated highlights videos.
✔ Include your updated schedule.
✔ Keep it short and on the subject. DO NOT WRITE ESSAYS!
✔ Be polite and professional.
The First Introduction Email:
✔ Start with an attractive Email Subject. For example: “2027 6’4” setter, All Star, playing up in U18, Premier.”
✔ Greet the coach by name (make sure it’s the correct one!).
✔ Explain why you are interested in the school and the team.
✔ Highlight important academic achievements (including grades) and athletic accomplishments (including physical stats), along with your future plans.
✔ Mention the soft skills that make you a great recruit and a valuable high-performance team player.
✔ Include a link to your recruiting profile page and social media.
✔ Provide your upcoming schedule.
✔ Offer your coach’s contact info (even if you have it on your profile page).
✔ Be polite and professional.
Other items to consider in the volleyball recruiting process
Academic Eligibility & NCAA/NAIA Requirements
✔ Maintain strong grades (GPA matters!).
✔ Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (if targeting NCAA schools).
✔ Take the SAT/ACT (if required by your target schools).
✔ Research each school’s academic standards and admission requirements.
Communication & Relationship Building
✔ Follow up with coaches professionally and avoid spamming them.
✔ Engage on social media (some coaches follow prospects on platforms like Instagram and Twitter).
✔ Be prepared for phone calls or online meetings—know your talking points.
✔ Ask thoughtful questions about the program, team culture, and playing style.
Campus Visits & Recruiting Events
✔ If invited, try to schedule unofficial or official visits.
✔ Attend camps and showcases where college coaches will be present.
✔ Observe how the team dynamic and coaching style fit with your personality.
Be Proactive & Organized
✔ Make a list of target schools based on your academic and athletic goals.
✔ Track which coaches you’ve contacted and their responses.
✔ Keep a folder of academic transcripts, test scores, and athletic achievements.
Know the Recruiting Timeline & Rules
✔ NCAA has strict contact rules (D1 coaches can’t respond until June 15 after sophomore year).
✔ Division 2, NAIA, and JUCO have different timelines—research accordingly.
✔ The Canadian schools are less rigid with the rules about contacting recruits.
✔ Understand scholarship offers vs. walk-on opportunities.
Athletic Development & Exposure
✔ Keep improving—strength, speed, vertical jump, and skills matter. ATHLETICISM MATTERS!
✔ Play in high-exposure tournaments.
Showcases can also create recruiting opportunities, but only when the event matches your level and recruiting goals. See Are Volleyball Recruiting Showcases and Combines Worth It?
✔ Update your highlight reel regularly (every few months with your best clips).
Character & Social Media Presence
✔ College coaches look at attitude, work ethic, and coachability.
✔ Avoid posting anything negative or inappropriate online.
✔ Be a good teammate and leader—coaches talk to club/high school coaches about you.
Scholarship & Financial Planning
✔ Not all schools offer full-ride scholarships (especially in Canada) – understand how financial aid works.
✔ Research athletic vs. academic scholarships (strong academics can help secure extra funding).
For current NCAA, NAIA and junior-college rules, including the recent changes to NCAA Division I scholarships, read our volleyball scholarship guide for Canadian athletes.
✔ Ask about scholarship renewals (some are year-to-year, not guaranteed).
Backup Plan & Fit Over Status
✔ Don’t focus only on D1 programs—D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO have great opportunities.
✔ Find a school that fits academically, athletically, and socially.
✔ Be open to redshirting or different roles on the team.
Decision-Making & Committing
✔ Once you get offers, compare playing time, school size, academics, and team culture. Research well.
✔ If you commit, stay in touch with the coaching staff and continue working hard.
✔ Sign National Letter of Intent (NLI) if applicable (for NCAA schools with scholarships).
Your Recruiting Materials Should Work Together
Your video should not exist by itself.
A coach who likes what they see should immediately be able to find your position, graduation year, height, academics, club information, schedule and contact details.
The easiest approach is to connect your video to a complete recruiting profile and include that profile link in every coach email.
Final Tip
Recruiting is about being proactive, patient, and persistent. Coaches won’t always reach out first—you need to advocate for yourself …. Or have a recruiter do it for you!
If you have questions about our volleyball recruiting services for the NCAA, please, ask here.
(and YES, recruiting is more than just a volleyball profile page!)
