Create a better quarterback highlight video by adding context to plays

Fundamentals and Performance,Keith Grabowski,recruiting,Hudl,quarterbacks,highlight reel,college recruiting

Create a better quarterback highlight video by adding context to plays

Keith Grabowski Wed, 06/15/2016 – 10:30am

While working a camp at Washington University in St. Louis, I spent some time with Todd Drury, the defensive coordinator at Missouri S&T. He had recently seen a highlight video of a quarterback at a community college that categorized his video to display his football IQ.

As we continued the conversation, we agreed that football is a game played in context, so what looks like an average play in a series of plays on a highlight play may actually be a great play in the context of a game.

So why not include these seemingly routine plays in a highlight reel to help college recruiters see your understanding of the game and your ability to think and react on the field based on situation?

This is a great idea, especially for quarterbacks.

Use the film to show you can complete a variety of throws and have mobility, but include plays that show intelligence through decisions made both presnap and postsnap. By providing context around the situation, it enhances value within the recruiting process.

CLICK HERE: To watch the highlight tape we are talking about.

Here are three key areas emphasize within a quarterback recruiting video.

Audibles, checks and hot routes

Football requires recognition and adjustment. If a quarterback can show how he adjusted and made throws in these situations, a coach can begin to better understand his ability to read, recognize and react on the field.

The video spotlights the quarterback’s blitz key, and by watching the progression, it becomes evident that he saw it coming and beat the blitz.

Even a handoff to the running back now carries much more meaning when placed in context. The coach sees the run was checked to a weakness in the defense.

This is an ability that can’t be seen in summer camps and is not always evident in just watching a set of clips out of context.

Working through a progression

One thing I really like about the video is how it spotlighted when a safety moved off the hash, the quarterback saw it and threw a post behind the safety for a touchdown.

We can assume the quarterback is supposed to look at certain things, but we don’t know the progression unless it is put in context to show being show that ability and find the open route.

Situational understanding

Though this particular highlight doesn’t focus on it, adding sections for third down throws, two-minute throws or throws that continue an critical scoring drive make those plays that were great on a Friday night carry more meaning on the highlight video.

What looks like a typical curl route has more significance when the coach understands that it’s fourth-and-8 with a minute to go in a game-winning drive.

Providing college coaches with some context to what he is seeing is helpful in learning about the makeup of a quarterback that can’t normally be seen on film or understood outside of seeing a complete game. This is information that can carry a lot of value as coaches pare down their list of recruits to find the one who is the right fit.

SEE ALSO: College coach offers insight to creating a strong highlight video