5 Day Challenge Day #1 - Monday November 3rd · Steve Coxon Soccer Network

Nov 3 (edited) • General Discussion/Question?

5 Day Challenge Day #1 - Monday November 3rd

Welcome to Day 1 of the 5-Day Recruiting Challenge!

We are going to spend the next 5 days completing one or two tasks per day, and by Friday we should have you completely organized and on the right path to be "Scholarship Ready!"

Let's get started!

Day 1: Your Highlight Video

Today is all about creating or perfecting your most important recruiting tool: your highlight video. This is your digital handshake with a college coach, your chance to make a great first impression and get noticed. Without a video, it's tough to move forward in the recruiting process.

Why is a highlight video so important?

Think of it as your movie trailer. College coaches are incredibly busy and can't see every game. A well-made video brings your talent directly to them, showing them exactly what you can do on the field. Profiles with videos get significantly more attention.

Let's figure out where you stand and what your next step is.

Where Are You Now? Choose Your Path:

⚽ - Path 1: "I don't have a highlight video yet."

No problem!

Today is the perfect day to start. Your mission is to gather your resources and make a plan.

Your Action Steps:

Find Your Footage: Your first task is to locate game footage. Check with your club, high school coach, or team manager. Many teams use platforms like Veo, Trace, or Hudl to record games. If you don't have access to full-game film, ask family or friends if they have clips from the sidelines.
Identify Your Best Moments: Watch through the footage you have. Look for 10-15 key plays that show off your skills. Don't worry about perfection; just find moments you're proud of. Think about goals, assists, great defensive stops, clever passes, or a display of your work ethic.
Plan Your Opening: Pick your top 3-5 clips. These will be the first 30 seconds of your video and need to grab a coach's attention immediately.
Gather Your Info: Write down your key details for an intro slate:
Full Name - Graduation Year - Position - Team Name & Jersey Number - Contact Info (Email or Phone)

You've just laid the foundation for a fantastic highlight video.

Now you need to decide if you want to make the video yourself using "Cap Cut" or "IMovie" or do you want to have it professionally created. If you don’t have the time or the technical ability, then contact @Jack Burridge whose company Spotlightvideo specializes in this.

If you want to go it alone watch this YouTube video to help you get started- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nCxsbwA-ac

⚽ - Path 2: "I already have a highlight video."

Excellent, you're ahead of the game!

Your mission today is to review and refine your video to make sure it's as effective as possible.

Your Action Steps:

The 30-Second Test: Watch only the first 30 seconds of your video. Does it feature your absolute best, most impactful plays? If not, plan to re-edit it to put your "wow" moments right at the start.
Check for Clarity: Is it easy to spot you in every clip? If a coach has to search for you, they might move on. Make sure you use a simple spot shadow, arrow, or circle to identify yourself before each play begins.
Review the Essentials: Does your video start with a clear title screen that includes your name, grad year, position, team, jersey number, and contact information? Is the video 2-4 minutes long? Is the quality clear and stable?
Get a Second Opinion: Ask a coach, mentor, or trusted teammate to watch your video. Get their honest feedback on what stands out and what could be improved.

By taking these small steps, you're making sure your video is polished, professional, and ready to impress.

You've successfully completed Day 1!

If you're starting from scratch with a brand-new video, it might take a bit longer, but you can work on it as we move through Days #2–#5.

Get ready for Day 2 tomorrow!

Now, let's keep the momentum going—drop a comment below to share where you are in the process, what you accomplished today, or any questions you have about building your highlight video. Let's tackle any roadblocks together as a community.

Good Luck!

⚽ - Freebie Alert: The first three members to post their video link below will get a free personalized analysis from me, including tips on how to make your video even better.

FREEBIE ALERT UPDATE - Unfortunately, I don’t have the bandwidth to review more than four videos today, and I want to make sure I give each one the attention it deserves. I hope you understand!

If anyone else would like me to review their video, feel free to send me a note in chat, and I’ll be happy to set up a time later this week.

Thanks for your patience and understanding!

Best Steve