How to Create the Perfect Highlight Tape

What nobody tells you about becoming a professional basketball player is that you have to be a player, agent, promoter, business manager, graphic designer all in one.

Part of getting noticed is learning how to market yourself, not different than any other career path. And for us hoopers our highlight tapes are our resume's. Not only do they have to be sent out in masses, they have to be updated regularly.

The right highlight tape can get you an opportunity that you weren't supposed to get (in a good way) and the wrong highlight tape can lose you an opportunity.

Let me teach you how to craft the perfect tape.

First Clip

As you can see from the clip, I like to start with a bang. Most coaches and scouts will only watch the first minute of your tape so do not wait to impress.

This is the introduction to your play style so I suggest your first clip also be something that you want to be known for. If you only dunked on one person in your life, it is not smart to lead with your one poster. Keep the expectations fair.

Give them a reason to continue watching.

The next 30 seconds

Like I said earlier, most will not watch your full tape so spend the next 30 seconds showcasing the top skills that you do best. The full arsenal.

If you are strictly a scorer, show you getting it done from multiple areas on the court.

40-second mark

This is like when the employer is done reading your professional summary and are starting to look at your work history.

Here's where you show that you are a winning player. Backdoor cuts, offensive rebounds, half court scoring, pick&roll reads, catch and shoot 3's. Put them here.

Two minute mark

By this time you've established the type of player you are and your skillset. The coaches know what to expect if they were to sign you. But they may continue watching so you must continue to produce quality plays.

Alley-oop dunks, "flashy" passes, blocking jump shots, sprinting lanes to fast break finishes, etc.

This section goes on until the end of the video.

More Notes

• Tape should be 3-8 minutes depending on how many quality plays you have (no filler clips)

• No music with lyrics

• Keep an eye on your analytics so you know who's watching

• Post to your personal social pages! Coaches look at that too

• College= no clips of you celebrating your own baskets

• Pros= post clips where you show emotions after your baskets

• Include your name, height, stats, and passport status in your video bio

• Attach the link to your tape whenever you contact a coach/agent/scout/GM

It's important you know how to market yourself but if you struggle with figuring out who you are at the next level, leave a comment below and we will help you out.

Also, if you need help putting it all together, reach out to us and we can create an appropriate tape that best represents you.