# Volleyball recruiting guide A free resource to help families navigate the college recruiting process The **Volleyball recruiting guide** is a free resource by [Balltime](https://www.balltime.com/) that was created to help families navigate the college recruiting process. The recruiting process may seem daunting at first. We hope that by providing an easy-to-understand resource, we can reduce the effort in finding information and help families navigate through the process successfully. The guide is based on countless interviews with **families on the college coaches, families on the recruiting journey, successfully recruited athletes, and recruiting consultants.** The Balltime platform has been helping hundreds of families on the recruiting journey *(and saving them thousands of hours in the process).* In this guide, we hope to bring together the collective experience of our team, our users, and our partners and harness the power of community to build it together! We would love to hear your feedback! Join our [Balltime Community](https://www.facebook.com/groups/balltime.community) to share your thoughts and feedback.\ \ Yours truly,\ The Balltime team # What division is right for me? If you want to play college volleyball, there is a place for you to do it! You just need to find the right program level for you! Below is a list of the different types of volleyball divisions and the generalities of each. **Division I** - this is the highest level of play for college volleyball. There are a maximum of 12 full athletic scholarships per team available for DI volleyball programs. In DI programs, they use a 'slot' system; regardless of if they give out $100 to someone, or a full ride, that counts as one full slot. Some programs may not have funding for 12 full scholarships, but they still have 12 'slots' they can give away. These types of programs may offer partial scholarships to athletes as long as they do not exceed the 12 allotted 'slots'. Athletes can expect volleyball to be a full-time commitment, similar to working a full time job. **Division II** - DII volleyball offers a bit more of a balance between volleyball, academics, and life (depending on the program). As opposed to the 'slot' system used in DI, DII programs use a 'total $ amount' system. There are a maximum of what is equivalent to 8 athletic scholarships per team available, and these scholarships can be broken up and spread amongst any amount of athletes on the team. DII programs can also stack athletic and academic aid for their student athletes. **Division III** - DIII offers the most balance between volleyball, academics, and life. DIII volleyball CANNOT offer athletic scholarships. However, they can offer academic aid. **NAIA** - The NAIA is most comparable to DII in terms of level of play and time commitment expected of the athletes. The NAIA can offer athletic and academic aid to athletes. The NAIA is under it's own governing body, similar to the NCAA, but with their own rules and regulations. The most notable being NAIA recruiting guidelines are much more relaxed than the NCAA guidelines. **Junior College -** JuCo's are two year institutions where athletes can attend and earn their Associates Degree while playing volleyball. There are multiple divisions within the Junior College world with different regulations: * **Division 1 :** Can provide full-ride athletic scholarships (tuition, books, fees, and room and board), plus up to $250 in course-required supplies. * **Division 2** : Can offer athletic scholarships, but scholarships are limited to tuition, books, fees and up to $250 in course-required supplies. * **Division 3** : Cannot offer any athletic scholarships. You can find a full list of volleyball programs here:
Division IDivision II Division IIINAIAJuCo
Number of Programs334298437220313
Athletic Scholarships AvailableYesYesNoYesYes (D1 and D2)
Academic Scholarship Available *Yes, but not stacked on athletic aidYes YesYesYes
Institution Type4 year4 year4 year4 year2 year
# NCAA recruiting timeline Key dates and guidelines on how to navigate the NCAA Volleyball recruiting timeline One of the most common questions we get from families is how to get started with the recruiting process. If you aspire to play volleyball at the collegiate level in the United States, understanding the NCAA recruiting timeline is key to navigating the recruiting process. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has specific rules and regulations regarding recruiting. In this guide we will cover key dates and guidelines on how to navigate the process effectively. These guidelines are **based on many interviews** with college coaches and successfully recruited athletes**.** This guide is mostly focused on the Division I and Division II timeline. Division III has very few restrictions on the recruiting process. See the [key dates summary table](#summary-of-key-ncaa-dates-for-volleyball-recruiting) below for more details about the difference between Division I, II and II. ## Freshman year: Research colleges During the Freshman and Sophomore years **Division I and Division II coaches are not allowed to communicate directly with recruits** or their families. You can email coaches, but they are not allowed to respond. Aside from improving your game and maintaining good grades, you should start to narrow down a **list of 10-15 schools** that could be a good fit for you. As you research colleges, take into account the [NCAA division](broken://pages/7MzHSYpVpnkmFvz9hpn1) they participate in, their scholarship availability[,](/finding-the-right-college/scholarship-programs) [academic options](/finding-the-right-college/academic-options), size, location, and other factors that are important for you. By the end of the Freshman year, you should: * List 10-15 colleges you are interested in learning more about * Have a list of coaches and their contact details (this will be important later) * Visit a few of your favorite schools, online and in person (this would be considered an unofficial visit that you would pay for on your own) * Check with your high school that their [coursework meets NCAA course requirements.](https://web3.ncaa.org/hsportal/exec/hsAction?hsActionSubmit=searchHighSchool) ## Sophomore year: Build your athlete profile and email coaches During most of your sophomore year, coaches are still unable to communicate with athletes directly. Use this time to invest in building your [athlete profile](/reaching-out-to-coaches/your-athlete-profile). The most crucial part of your athlete profile is your [highlight videos](/creating-highlight-videos/build-your-highlight-video-on-balltime). Coaches will use your highlight video as an initial screening, and this is often the deciding factor of whether to continue the process with you or not. To repeat, your highlight video is the most important part of your athlete profile. The goal of your highlight video is to get a college coach to come watch you in person. It is extremely rare to be recruited exclusively from your highlight video. In addition to your highlight video, if coaches are interested, they will also want to know more **about you**: what club you play for, your GPA, height, vertical touch, and your graduating year. After your initial email to a coach, if they are interested, they will do their own research, so make sure that your **public information is in good shape**. Add your information to your athlete profile, and make sure your social media is in good shape. You should start [emailing coaches](broken://pages/VRIra3fLSWhycgRSzq4F) **before** June 15th to get on their radar, even if they can't respond to you. You should aim for at least 2-3 emails before June 15th, each with a different highlight video. [Summer camps](/reaching-out-to-coaches/summer-camps) are a great opportunity for coaches to see you in person for the first time. Do your research and let the college coaches know ahead of time if you will be attending their camp {% hint style="info" %} ### Key date: June 15th of your Sophomore year * **College coaches can start communicating with recruits** - After this date, college coaches from Division I and Division II can start communicate directly with recruits or their families. * **Coaches can make a verbal offer to recruits -** While this is not an official/binding offer, verbal offers and acceptances are typically honored. Recruits do not receive a written offer (National Letter of Intent) until mid-November of their senior year. * **Official visits to Division II colleges are allowed -** See our [guide for tips on how to plan your visits.](/finding-the-right-college/official-and-unofficial-visits) {% endhint %} ## Junior year: Step up your exposure During your Junior year, you want to make sure you **communicate regularly with coaches** and you start forming a relationship with them. Be persistent with the schools that you like. Continue sending them highlight videos and share key tournaments you will be attending. Start narrowing down your college list. Follow their social media and make sure you **visit them in-person** to increase your exposure. Academically, you should consider taking your SAT / ACT exams and research and stay up to date with the eligibility requirements by the NCAA, as these change frequently. To prepare for you summer visits, you will also need to register with the [NCAA Eligibility center](https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/). [Summer camps ](/reaching-out-to-coaches/summer-camps)are even more important between your Sophomore and Junior year. They are a great way to get in front of coaches before you can begin taking [official and unofficial visits](/finding-the-right-college/official-and-unofficial-visits) on August 1st prior to your Junior year. {% hint style="info" %} ### Key date: August 1st prior to your Junior year Official and unofficial visits to Division I colleges are allowed. See our [guide for tips on how to plan your visits.](/finding-the-right-college/official-and-unofficial-visits) {% endhint %} ## Senior year: Apply to schools and finalize your offers Communication continues to be the key at the beginning of the Senior year. As you approach the finish line, you want to make sure college coaches have your **latest highlight videos** and raw footage. Make sure your public information is **up to date**, and that you meet all the NCAA [eligibility requirements](https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/). Your next big step is **filling out and sending application forms** to colleges. Check with your respective schools on deadlines for applications. If you are applying through athletics (whether you are a scholarship athlete or not), make sure you communicate with your coaches on the application process and requirements as they may differ from the general public. In addition to applying for athletic scholarship, you can also apply for FAFSA (Free Application for **Federal Student Aid**) by October 1st of your senior year. The deadlines for applications and offer acceptance vary from college to college, so make sure to research their specific timeline. {% hint style="info" %} ### Key dates for receiving and signing offers: * **Mid-November of Senior year**: Division I and Division II colleges can start sending written offers to recruits. * **December 1st- February 16th:** The quiet period, Division I communication is only allowed on campus. (These dates change all of the time. See the [NCAA division I recruiting calendar](https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/compliance/recruiting/calendar/2022-23/2022-23D1Rec_WVBRecruitingCalendar.pdf) for more details) {% endhint %} Once you have made your decision on what school to attend, be sure to communicate with every college coach you have been actively communicating with throughout your recruiting journey. Much like you would prefer to hear from a school directly if they went in another direction, they also need to hear from you that you have chosen another school. (They should NOT find out on social media before you have communicated with them!) Try to avoid burning any bridges as you never know what your future may hold! After you accept an offer and commit to a college, continue to regularly communicate with your future coaches. Most colleges will have a summer training program for you, but if not, prepare one yourself and share it with them. Your relationship with your coach will be crucial during your college years. Good luck! Do the work and luck will be on your side :clap: ## Summary of key NCAA dates for volleyball recruiting Recruiting rules vary quite a bit between NCAA Division I, II or III. Here is a summary of the key dates for each division
ActivityDivision IDivision II Division IIINAIAJUCO
Private correspondence (phone calls, emails, texts, instant messages, DMs, faxes) June 15 after Sophomore year June 15 after Sophomore year (you can reach out to them).AnytimeAnytimeAnytime
Unofficial visitsAugust 1 before Junior yearAnytimeAnytimeAnytimeAnytime
Official visitsAugust 1 before Junior yearJune 15 after Sophomore yearJanuary 1st of Junior yearAnytimeAnytime
Verbal Scholarship OffersJune 15 after Sophomore yearJune 15 after Sophomore yearAnytimeAnytimeAnytime
# Finding the right FIT Whether you are just beginning your recruiting journey or wanting to take more control of your process, below is a great place to start! Finding the right volleyball program and college for you is all about 'finding the right fit'. There are a lot of things that go into 'find the right fit'. We will talk about the three big ones here: * Volleyball Program * Academics * Location Each of these pillars has multiple components to consider, and we will dive into them below. In this article, we will ask you a lot of questions, questions that only YOU (the athlete) can answer! Take control of YOUR recruiting journey. There are no right or wrong answers, your answers may change over time, and it is okay if you do not know the answers right away. These are questions designed to get you thinking, and equip you with knowledge about what is important to YOU! Pro tip - grab a pen and paper and answer the questions below to the best of your ability: ## VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM Many recruiting coordinators give the advice of 'pick a school that you would be happy at even if volleyball was not a part of the equation', and there is some value to that! But the truth is, you are making the decision on which school to attend with a ton of weight put on the volleyball program, the team, the coaches, and the culture! It is vital to research, ask questions, and get to know all of the people you will be spending your collegiate playing career with! Below are the important parts of the volleyball program you need to consider: **Program History/Culture** 1. Playing Time vs Success of Team - Of course the most ideal scenario would be to find a program where you can play right away as a freshman AND the team wins a lot. However, that is not always the case. You need to identify what the most important factor to you is! * How important is playing time to you? Would you be okay sitting on the bench? * Lots of people think they will be okay riding the bench, but in reality they've never experienced that before. Remember, every athlete in college was a starter on their respective club team. When you get to college, you need to be prepared to compete with other top athletes not only in your class, but the three classes above and eventually the three classes below you. * Depending on your level of play, and the success/roster of the team you are considering, you may have an opportunity to play as a freshman. This is not always (or most of the time) the case. If you would NOT be happy sitting on the bench, you may need to adjust the division you want to play at, or find a program that you may have more of an opportunity to play right away. * Another way to try to gauge what opportunity you might have to play right away, is to look at the roster. What year are the current players on the team in your position? Talk with the coaches about how they see you fitting in. * How important is being a part of a team that wins to you? * Say you find a program where you are able to play right away, but they are a struggling program, bottom of the conference, or have a losing season - are you going to be happy? * **Do you want to be a big fish in a small pond? Or a small fish in a big pond?** 2 What kind of culture do you want to be a part of? * How many athletes leave the program after each season? * The transfer portal has changed college athletics drastically. Transferring is easier than ever. Players transfer for a number of reasons, some of which have nothing to do with the volleyball program. However, it might be a red flag if you notice there are a ton of players transferring out of or into the programs you are looking at. Your goal through the recruiting process should be to find a home you can commit to and stay at for at least four years (or 2 years in the JuCo world). **People** 1. Your teammates will make or break your college volleyball experience. Take visits, meet the team, follow the team on social media. Find ways to get a feel for whether or not you could see yourself playing with, living with, and becoming friends with these people. Most importantly, ask about the other people who have committed. Follow them on social media and get to know them! The current athletes on the team are not always the ones who will be there when you get to college. 2. The Coaches are also a huge factor in your decision. While it is true, coaches change all of the time, you still want to get to know the coaching philosophy and style of the staff you are committing to. * What kind of coaching do you respond best to? (demanding, screaming, encouraging, passive...) * This can be one of the hardest things to figure out during the recruiting process. Ask questions, watch a practice, watch a match, ask the girls how they like their coaches. This is a big decision and you want to be equipped with as much information as possible! ## ACADEMICS/SCHOOL Unfortunately, your college volleyball career only lasts for 4-5 years. One day, you will need to enter the real world. You want to choose a school that will give you the best opportunity to succeed in whatever it is you want to do with your life. Here are some of the things to consider when analyzing different schools. 1. What do you want to study? * If you know what you want to study and what you want to be when you grow up - AWESOME! Start researching that specific area of study for different schools. Some schools offer internships, some have different requirements, some might have application requirements you need to meet coming out of high school, etc. Begin to compare and contrast what programs offer more, or are accredited in your desired field. * If you don't know what you want to study - THAT'S OKAY! You have time! This would be a good time to start thinking about what jobs sound interesting, and what occupations may align with your interests. 2. Size of school - Do you want a big school, small school, or something in between? What type of learner are you? Size of school also means size of classes. If you are a good self-teacher and can handle large class sizes, great! If you need more individualized attention from a professor, you might need to consider a smaller school. * Big school - 30k-75k students. Huge campus, likely need transportation to get around. Big class sizes, often times taught by teachers assistants. Typically only DI schools are in this size range. * Medium school - 10k-29k students. Moderate sized campus. Usually walkable, but may need to take transportation. Large general education classes, but smaller class sizes as you get into your major requirements. DII and DI schools. * Small school - 1k-9k students. Small, walkable campus, small class sizes, individualized attention from professors. Every level of volleyball has schools within this size range. 3. Campus Life - What is important to you? Dorms, food, campus size, activities on/off campus... * You can find virtual tours of almost any institution in the country on their website. Go watch them. Visit the Activities page of the website to see what is happening on-campus outside of the athletic department. See what catches your eye as cool or exciting! ## LOCATION 1. Distance from home. Are you going to be homesick, or are you wanting to go far away? * Close to home: less than a 3 hour drive * Drivable * Can get home for a day/night * Parents can come visit/see you play easily * Medium distance: 4-8 hour drive * Drivable * Can get home for a weekend * Parents can come visit/see you play * Far from home: 9+ hours away * Likely have to fly * Can only get home for a long weekend/breaks in school * Summer/Spring/Winter breaks * Parents may only be able to visit/see you play in person once a season 2. Geographical location - Are you okay with the cold? Do you want to be on a beach? Do you need to see the mountains? 3. Type of area you are in - Are you a small-town kid? Do you need to be in a city? Do you need a mall, movie theatre, restaurants, and other amenities close by? Once you have answered some of the questions above, you can start to build your list of schools to contact based on what is important to you! # Creating your list of schools Now that you have identified what is important to you, it is time to create your list of schools to reach out to! Are you ready to start contacting schools, but don't know where to start or who to reach out to? We are here to help! You should create an excel sheet that helps you keep track of the schools you're interested in and have contacted. Use this as a working document throughout your recruiting journey. Step 1 - Identify what is important to you * Volleyball Program (culture, coaches, teammates, history) * Academics (area of study, size of school, campus life) * Location (part of the country, distance from home) Step 2 - Choose a few regions that meet your location requirements. * If you want to stay close to home, research schools within a three hour radius of your house. If you want to be on a beach, only research schools that are on the coast. If you have no preference for distance from home or geographical location, pick random states! Or states you think might be cool to go to school in. Step 3 - Research 5-10 schools in each of those regions. * While this is still pretty broad, below are some of the searches you can use to get started: * If you know what you want to study, start your google search with "Best Colleges in \_\_\_\_\_(state) with \_\_\_\_\_(major)." * If you know you want a certain size school, google "Colleges in \_\_\_\_\_\_(state) with more/less than \_\_\_\_\_(#) of students" * If you know you want to be in a specific place, google "Colleges near \_\_\_\_\_(city), \_\_\_\_\_(state)." * Keep your list diverse at first! If your goal is to play Division I volleyball, create a list of 10 schools in the regions you're interested in. Do your research, choose 6 DI schools and contact those coaches to see if they're interested in recruiting you. At the same time, also research 2-3 DII schools, and 1-2 DIII/NAIA schools to cast a wide net.. * You don't know what the right fit for you is until you start doing the research, getting on campus, talking with the staff, and continuing to develop your volleyball game to be able to play at different levels. Step 4 - Collect coach contact information to send your initial email. * Most programs have the coach's contact information on the 'roster' page of the athletics website for volleyball. If it is not listed, you can also go the Athletics Staff Directory and usually find the email addresses there. * Find emails for each coach on staff to send your email to each coach. Once you have created your initial list of schools, it is time to email them! # Emailing College Coaches Once you are ready to email schools, there are a few things to keep in mind to get the most out of your communication! There are few rules to abide by: 1. Keep it simple! Coaches get a ton of emails everyday! They will skim through your email initially to find a few things they're looking for: 1. Video link - Make this easy to find and access. 2. Graduation year and position - different programs have very specific needs in each graduating class. Even if you are a good middle blocker in the class of '25, if that program does not need a middle in '25, they will likely not recruit you. 3. Height, Approach Touch (if a front row player) - many higher level programs need to know that you have the physical capabilities to play at that level. 4. Academic area of interest - If the coach is impressed with your video, they might go back and read your email more in depth to see if you have included what you want to study and if their school has that program or not. \*this is more important for the high academic and DIII schools\* 5. Connection to that school/program - Make it personal! WHY are you emailing that specific school? Coaches want to feel the love! Your email should not feel like you sent it to 50 other schools. What about that particular school interested you/checks your boxes? 2. TRIPLE CHECK the details 1. Coaches names spelled correctly 2. Correct name of the school 3. Mascot/colors of the school are correct 3. Send emails from YOUR (the recruit) personal email. 1. Do not send your email through a recruiting service or your parent's email address. If you do not already have one, create a gmail specifically for recruiting emails. 1. example - Below is how to build your email to college coaches: * **SUBJECT LINE** * NAME, HS GRAD YEAR, POSITION, and something about you that stands out athletically or academically (ONLY IF IT IS GOOD) * Approach touches 10’ or higher, 4.0 GPA,... * Example - Amy Angelos, 2024 Middle Blocker, 10'.5'' approach touch! 4.0 GPA * **1st PARAGRAPH**- Intro (2-3 sentences) * Introduce yourself and re-state everything in your subject line in sentence form. Include what you want to study in school (if you know that information). * Example - "Hi Coach, My name is Amy Angelos, I am a 2024 Middle Blocker from Madison, WI. I play for Madtown Juniors Volleyball Club and I have an approach touch over 10'.5''! I am interested in (Name of School) and want to study (area of study). " * **2nd PARAGRAPH** - Volleyball information * Volleyball Information: * Link to your film - direct video link or link to your profile page on Balltime * Schedule - practice and tournaments * Contact info - coach, recruiting coordinator, you * Call to action: * Ask them to come watch you play * Watch your video * Contact your recruiting coordinator * Set up a phone call (depending on your year in school and the division of the school you are talking to) * Camp information * **3rd PARAGRAPH -** Why that school (2-3 sentences) * What about THAT SPECIFIC SCHOOL/VB program interests you. What about that school/volleyball program makes it the right 'fit' for you? * Example - "I am very interested in playing at (name of school/program mascot) because": * volleyball program highlights - "I want to be a part of a championship culture like yours", "I want to help build an amazing program", "I want to help win a conference championship" * personal connection - "I have attended camp and love the staff and players", "my (relative) attended (school) and loved it!", "I grew up a (mascot) fan!" * location - "it is close to home", "I have always wanted to live on the beach", "I want to be in the city" * academics - "it offers a great (area of study) program", "I want to go to a small school and the size is perfect" * **4th PARAGRAPH**- A LITTLE about you (1-2 sentences) * Limit the fluff, but add a little spice. Give a unique thing about you! Something that a coach can remember about you that separates you. * Example of fluff - "I am a great teammate and love to compete!" "I am a hard worker" - these things are statements anyone can make, and everyone does make. If you add a bit of fluff, give a story: * Example of fluff with a story behind it - "I am super competitive because I grew up with siblings and we have always pushed each other to be our best", "I love to compete, I play volleyball, basketball, swim, and I am in band - I play the drums!" While you can create an amazing email to college coaches, the MOST important thing to include is a link to your highlight video. The next section will team you how to build the best highlight video using Balltime! # Sample letter to coaches Below is an example using a player who wants to stay close to home, wants to study business, and wants to be in a medium sized city. **SUBJECT LINE -** Amy Angelos, 2027 MB, 10'5" Approach touch! 4.0 GPA Hi Coach \_\_\_\_\_ (last name), My name is Amy Angelos and I am a 6'2" 2027 Middle Blocker from Milwaukee, WI and I just touched 10'5" last week! I play for \_\_\_\_\_\_(Club) on \_\_\_\_\_\_(team name), and I am very interested in playing for the University of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_(school name) while studying \_\_\_\_\_\_\_(area of study) Below is a link to my Highlight Video: LINK My \_\_\_\_\_\_(Club) \_\_\_\_\_\_(team name) team is playing at these events the rest of the season, I would love for you or one of your staff to come see me play!: * Tournament 1 * Tournament 2 * Tournament 3 You can reach my recruiting coordinator/club director here: * Name, Email, phone I have been a \_\_\_\_\_(mascot) fan my entire life, and would love the opportunity to play for the University of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_(school). \_\_\_\_\_\_\_(school) is the perfect school for me because I want to stay close to home, the \_\_\_\_\_\_(area of study) school is AMAZING, and \_\_\_\_\_(name of city/area) is a city I have always wanted to live in because there is always something fun happening and I love the\_\_\_\_\_\_(something specific about that school) on campus! I would be the perfect addition to your program because I want to help bring another championship the the \_\_\_\_\_\_(name of school) program. I am extremely competitive and have a 'no-quit' attitude. Growing up with a twin sister who also plays volleyball taught me a lot about competition and drive! I would also LOVE to come to camp this summer. If you could send me some of your camp information, I would really appreciate that. Thank you so much! Looking forward to hearing from you soon! Amy Angelos 2027 Middle Blocker \_\_\_\_\_\_(Club) \_\_\_\_\_\_(team name) email phone # What makes a good recruiting Highlight Video? Follow the guidelines below to create the most impactful Recruiting Highlight Video! * Time: 2-3 min * Coaches will decide to either continue watching, or stop watching, within 30 seconds (first 3-5 clips) of your video. * Put your BEST clips first * Best clips in your position. If I am a Middle Blocker, the first clips should not be of me digging (even if it is a great play). * Group ‘Like’ clips/actions together * Example - Attack, Attack, Attack, Block, Block, Block, Pass, Pass, Pass, Dig, Dig, Dig, Serve, Serve, Serve * ALWAYS put serving last! * Include: * Intro slide * Personal info. Only things that make you look good! (jump touch, height, GPA, accolades) * Action “Transition” slides between action sections of your video See the next article for Highlight Video Templates by postion! # Highlight video templates Key elements to include in your highlight video, with tips specific to each position ## Not sure how to structure your Highlight Videos? Here are our tips on how to organize your videos based on each position! #### SETTER * 2-3 In-system "Go/Hut/4/Outside" Sets * 2-3 In-system "Red/5/Backside" Sets * 2-3 In-system "Slide" sets * 2-3 In-system "1/Quick" sets * 2-3 In-system "3/Gap" sets * 2-3 Out of system "Pin" sets * 2-3 Out of system "Middle" sets * 2-3 Setter dumps (only if point is scored) * 2-3 Defensive plays (Hard Driven + Tips) * 2-3 Blocks * 3 Serves * Ideal Duration: 2-3min #### OUTSIDE HITTER‍ * 5-7 Left side in-system attacks * 5-7 Left side out of system attacks * 5-7 Right side attacks * 2-3 Back row attacks * 7-10 Passes. Highlight passing from different areas & ability to pass on both sides. Include multiple serve types if possible (float, top-spin, deep, short, etc) * 2-3 Blocks * 2-3 Defensive plays (Hard Driven + Tips) * 3 Serves * Ideal Duration: 2-3in #### ‍MIDDLE BLOCKER * 2-3 In-system "1/Quick" attacks * 2-3 In-system "Slide" attacks * 2-3 In-system "3/Gap" attacks * 2-3 In-system "Back 1" attacks * 2-3 Out of system attacks * 2-3 Blocks against opposing left side attackers * 2-3 Blocks against opposing right side attackers * 2-3 Blocks against opposing middle * Short serve passing & defensive plays (IF any) * 2-3 Serves * Ideal Duration: 2-3min #### OPPOSITE * 5-7 Right side in system attacks * 5-7 Out of system right side + back row attacks (if available) * 4-5 Left side attacks * 2-3 Blocks * 2-3 Defensive plays (hard driven + tips) * 3 Serves * Ideal Duration: 2-3min #### LIBERO/DS * 10-15 Passes. Highlight passing from different areas & ability to pass on both sides. Include multiple serve types if possible (float, top-spin, deep, short, etc.) * 7-10 Digs. Try to cover all positions and areas (Favor hard driven attacks and difficult tips + plays that highlight your athleticism are always great) * 3-5 Out of system sets * 3-5 Serves (2-3 deep, 2-3 short) * Ideal Duration: 2-3min # Build your Highlight Video on Balltime One of our trusted partners, Dianne DeNecochea was kind enough to share her amazing article "Make a Good Highlight Video that will Engage College Coaches – Here’s How!" with us. In this tutorial you will learn how to: 1. Build your Highlight Videos on the Balltime platform {% embed url="" %} 1. Select **Highlights**.
2. Select **Create Highlight Video**.
3. Name your Highlight Video
4. Select the video you would like to add to your highlight video.
5. Review and add clips from the video or view starred clips from the video.
6. Add in Visuals such as slides and logos.
7. To add in additional clips or visuals, repeat steps 4-6. 8. To preview your highlight, select **Preview**. If you want to download your highlight, select **Export.**
# Official and unofficial visits {% hint style="info" %} **Coming Soon:** We are still in the process of writing this guide. Follow us on our [Facebook community](https://www.facebook.com/groups/748048823221845) for regular updates {% endhint %} # Scholarship programs {% hint style="info" %} **Coming Soon:** We are still in the process of writing this guide. Follow us on our [Facebook community](https://www.facebook.com/groups/748048823221845) for regular updates {% endhint %} # Academic options {% hint style="info" %} **Coming Soon:** We are still in the process of writing this guide. Follow us on our [Facebook community](https://www.facebook.com/groups/748048823221845) for regular updates {% endhint %} # Your Athlete Profile Learn how to customize your athlete profile. You can now create your athlete profile on Balltime!🎉This profile is the perfect place for college's to learn more about you and view your highlights. Check out the list below to see just a handful of things you'll be able to put on your profile!🏐 * Name, Year, Position, * Club Team, High School, Jersey# * Phone number, Email * Height, Approach Touch * GPA * Your coach's contact information * Highlight videos * Full match videos ## Where and how can I edit my profile? All you need to do is login to your Balltime account and navigate to you the 'My Profile' tab. Click 'Edit Profile' and enter in any information you would like! Watch this loom video for additional guidance on how to set your profile up! {% embed url="" %} Athletes can now add full game video to their profiles. Coaches and guests can filter and see all of the athlete's actions! 1. Navigate to **My Profile** 2. Click **Add Videos** 3. Select **Full Videos**
# Registering on recruiting websites {% hint style="info" %} **Coming Soon:** We are still in the process of writing this guide. Follow us on our [Facebook community](https://www.facebook.com/groups/748048823221845) for regular updates {% endhint %} # Summer camps {% hint style="info" %} **Coming Soon:** We are still in the process of writing this guide. Follow us on our [Facebook community](https://www.facebook.com/groups/748048823221845) for regular updates {% endhint %} # What happens next {% hint style="info" %} **Coming Soon:** We are still in the process of writing this guide. Follow us on our [Facebook community](https://www.facebook.com/groups/748048823221845) for regular updates {% endhint %} # Getting quality recordings Getting the best quality recording is the first step to an impactful Highlight Video. It will create the highest quality video for the College Coaches that will ultimately going to be watching your Highlight Videos (college coaches). The #1 Pet Peeve of College Coaches when they are reviewing a Highlight Video is when they open a low-quality video and they can’t see anything. Read our pointers below to maximize your chances to get noticed! ## **Physical Recording** Follow the below instructions for optimal recording: * Record from the middle of the back baseline. * Use a Tripod to get a vantage point of a minimum of 4 feet in height * Try to frame the court with as much of the corners as possible (distance permitting) * Always record on the side in which your Athlete is playing (moving between sets if necessary) * Optimize for as few visual obstacles as possible (line referees, spectators, or any other visual obstacle that would obtrude the recording). Don’t hesitate to be pushy and ask people to move out of the way. ## **Digital Recording** Most platforms works best with raw, unedited footage that should follow the below specifications: * 1080p resolution minimum * No vertical videos * No pre-edited videos * No multi-camera footage For reference, this is the ideal framing you are looking for when setting up your recording. # Page 1