DD Skills Video feedback

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marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
DS filmed and edited a skills video for DD. this was his first attempt at doing something like this. I would like feed back for DS on the video or DD on the softball aspect. I hope the links below work

First - always a great first step to get a video done and this isn't awful as many are (oh god, how some are awful). It is ALWAYS about first impressions...

Below will be honest, constructive criticism. Please take it as such.

Video says: left handed singles hitter, plays outfield, average arm, can play 1B if needed but not her normal position, probably does not possess elite speed


Is hitting singles for contact her #1 skill a college would want. If it is then the order is right. If not, then you are not conveying who she is.

- Like the contact screen at the end - but not at the beginning. FULL CONTACT INFO - need it at the beginning and the end.
- Can you split screen the contact screen while she is talking. yes it might save 5 seconds, but it is in the first 30 seconds so every second here counts.
- Hitting: Too far away. Fill the screen either by getting closer or cropping the video
- First swing shown is not her best swing. I would cut it. First impression HAS to be good. None of the balls goes to left field - everything is pulled to right or rigth-center. if that is who she is - great. If not, it is not here.
- Some of the swings are not her best - like she doesn't completely follow through. Don't show them. Take the time to get the good ones and show them
- Outfield: WAY too far away. Get a LOT closer. At the start she should fill at least 3/4 the height of the screen. Long shots she should cross most of the screen. Again - get closer or crop the video. Fill the screen. Make sure you show the best throws - you probably only need one or two.
- First base: In college almost any one can play 1B. So you can shorten this to 1-2 per skill. Again CLOSER or CROP.
- If she is FAST - you need to show it. This video says she is not. If she is tall include it on the contact screen.
- Like the contact screen at the end
- Add in contact details as a caption in the bottom right of the action at all time. Always have contact info on the screen

Hope this helps. Good first attempt
 
Last edited:
Mar 1, 2015
131
0
DS filmed and edited a skills video for DD. this was his first attempt at doing something like this. I would like feed back for DS on the video or DD on the softball aspect. I hope the links below work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfS4D158Myo

Thanks
John

My thoughts, sorry if it sounds harsh...

One thing an AC at a college told me about these videos is they like to see 7-10 ground balls/fly balls/plays in a row without a cut away. You're cutting away after every play, I realize this is to shorten the video, but it makes them wonder if you show 10 catches, are you not showing the 3-4 that she missed? Work on an up tempo 7-10 balls in a row filmed continuously. Same for hitting. And those pitches are coming in at coach-pitch speed. Get someone that can chuck it.

Also, it looks like on the 1B throws she knows the ball is going to be in the dirt already. It's easy to pick a ball if you know exactly where it's going, try mixing it up.

The video isn't going to get you a scholarship (not this specific video, I mean everyone in general). The video gets you on the radar so when you go to a camp or showcase they are looking for you.
 

WARRIORMIKE

Pro-Staff Everything
Oct 5, 2009
2,815
48
At the Jewel in San Diego
Ok getting into the video realm myself. Heres what I get from others.

Keep the video moving. Meaning if a ball is hit move to the next clip. I made the decision to put info in beginning and the end with the current coaches info. I love that its at 1080. So the HD is plus for sure.Also if you can include game footage thats a serious plus too. Look at other skills video and take the good with the bads. Since you are doing them on a personal level you can really experiment with angles and editing. Dont be afraid to try something new. I plan on doing a catcher skills video soon. I sooooo cant wait for that day.

I will include a couple of links for mine vids. Probably not the best, but I'm getting a lot of good feedback on them

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoBzOaPJYL4


This is game footage I fooled around with of my dd. I get a lot of great feed back with this clip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuCNIwzk_0M&index=21&list=UUwTuwLgWUc_Gxa5_x_J3y8g
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
One thing an AC at a college told me about these videos is they like to see 7-10 ground balls/fly balls/plays in a row without a cut away. You're cutting away after every play, I realize this is to shorten the video, but it makes them wonder if you show 10 catches, are you not showing the 3-4 that she missed? Work on an up tempo 7-10 balls in a row filmed continuously. Same for hitting. And those pitches are coming in at coach-pitch speed. Get someone that can chuck it.

This one of the problems. Everyone is different - I get 50% who say they want cut and quick and about 50% who want 'continuous'. Our experience is that both groups are somewhat wrong. If you demonstrate your 'best skill, executed the best', that gets their attention however you cut it. The good coaches recognize 'it' when they see it.

One girl (who is a massive power hitter) 3 years ago had a skills video that was simply game video of her hitting a ball into center field of the field that was behind the field that she was playing on (I meant this hit went all of 265' in the air) with an email message that said "I do this at least once a weekend". That got her recruited 1000% more than anything else she ever did (she is all-conference right now at a D1 school).
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
This one of the problems. Everyone is different - I get 50% who say they want cut and quick and about 50% who want 'continuous'. Our experience is that both groups are somewhat wrong. If you demonstrate your 'best skill, executed the best', that gets their attention however you cut it. The good coaches recognize 'it' when they see it

Going to add this as well - most college coaches think they can develop players, so when they see ONE elite skill or athletic ability, they think the rest will come because they can make it happen. That is why the 6' lefty pitcher who isn't that good ends up at some D1 school and the 5'3" pitcher who actually CAN pitch ends up fighting an uphill battle. Or that some girl with elite speed gets recruited even though she can't slap - they figure they can teach it. Was talking to an ex-D1 coach about this a few weeks ago - she said when she started she used to have several projects every year on the roster and got burnt 80% of the time - by the time she retired she wouldn't have more than 2 or 3 depending on how many assistants she had and their skills set.

Turns out good college coaches who can actually develop players are almost as rare as good travel ball (and even high school) coaches. Don't make the mistake of thinking that just because they are a college coach they are good - you still have to do your due diligence and research.
 
May 3, 2014
2,149
83
Ok getting into the video realm myself. Heres what I get from others.

Keep the video moving. Meaning if a ball is hit move to the next clip. I made the decision to put info in beginning and the end with the current coaches info. I love that its at 1080. So the HD is plus for sure.Also if you can include game footage thats a serious plus too. Look at other skills video and take the good with the bads. Since you are doing them on a personal level you can really experiment with angles and editing. Dont be afraid to try something new. I plan on doing a catcher skills video soon. I sooooo cant wait for that day.

I will include a couple of links for mine vids. Probably not the best, but I'm getting a lot of good feedback on them

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoBzOaPJYL4


This is game footage I fooled around with of my dd. I get a lot of great feed back with this clip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuCNIwzk_0M&index=21&list=UUwTuwLgWUc_Gxa5_x_J3y8g

That is a really really great skills video. As a coach it gets right to the point and doesn't drag. This should be a template. Nice work.
 
Mar 1, 2015
131
0
Am I the only one wondering why the balls are coming in at the speed of smell during the hitting portion???
 

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