If you are considering purchasing a Next Play Production video, you may have some questions. We have tried to answer most of the questions we most commonly hear below.
Why is a video the only athletic recruitment tool that I really need?
What about stats? Where do they fit in?
I've heard the Division I coaches already know about the athletes. Why do I need a video?
If they get my video, why do I need a list of my "Next Plays"?
Where does Next Play Productions fit in after the video is made?
Why do I want to use Next Play Productions to make my video?
Why is a video the only athletic recruitment tool that I really need?
I've heard not all coaches have a DVD player. Why don't you use VHS?
I heard that not all DVDs will play in a DVD player. What's the deal?
Why is a video the only athletic recruitment tool that I really need? [top]
Research indicates college coaches lack trust in expensive recruitment services that often unjustly “over-represent” athletes with exaggerated stats and blankets of phone calls. The fact is, college coaches watch video submissions. Next Play's interviews of over 75 college coaches indicated frustrations with video quality, efficiency, athlete identification, and lack of appropriate footage. That's where Next Play Productions can help. Afforadable. Efficient. Research-Based.
What about stats? Where do they fit in?[top]
Next Play Productions is able to make a quality recruitment tool with all the information the college coach needs to further recruit the athlete. Research indicated coaches felt most statistics were extremely subjective (i.e. 18 homeruns but who was the pitcher and how far was the fence?) and exaggerated (85 rebounds but who was keeping the books?). Instead they preferred essential and verifiable information (academics, height/weight, graduation year, position played, etc.). Coaches will contact you or your coach for statistical follow-up.
I've heard the Division I coaches already know about the athletes. Why do I need a video?[top]
True... college coaches prefer to see the athlete in action. They attend club tournaments, games of traveling teams, and often know about an athlete before their sophomore year. But realistically, athletes slip through the cracks. Coaches can't be everywhere or know every athlete, they just see as many as they can. Video shows them your talent and gives them the information they need to come see you play in person. Your video makes sure they don't miss you. In additon, small colleges, NAIA, junior colleges, and division II and III colleges often can't afford to send recruiters to all the sporting events they would like to. Video makes the connection that isn't always there.
If they get my video, why do I need a list of my "Next Plays"?[top]
Big schools want to see the athlete play in person, but they can’t recruit you if they don’t know you exist. For example, there are well over 350,000 high school softball athletes each year playing on high school or traveling teams. A coach can’t see all of them. Your video will make connections for you that aren’t there…it will provide opportunities for a coach to know about you so they will find a way to see you. In some circumstances for small community schools or junior colleges, a video may be all you need.
Where does Next Play Productions fit in after the video is made?[top]
This is the beauty of a Next Play Production. We’re proud to be a recruitment “tool” as opposed to an agency or service. We believe affordable video exposure was the “missing link” in the recruitment industry. Think about it…if you were a college coach and you saw a video of a talented player you knew would help your program, would you find a way to contact the athlete? Absolutely. Video works. Elite athletes are able to entice multiple colleges attention so they compete for the athlete. More importantly, average athletes are able to affordably market themselves. No “Jerry McGuire” needed.
Why do I want to use Next Play Productions to make my video? [top]
Research and Expertise. Next Play Productions has worked hard to be an expert in the recruitment essentials for nearly every college sport. We know what coaches want to see, how much they want to see, how they want to see it. We also know exactly what to put on the DVD casing that will make it easy for the coach to get all the information they need in one quick look. Think of it as a video resume….there are good resumes and bad resumes. Make yours a Next Play Production and make an impression.
I've heard not all coaches have a DVD player. Why don't you use VHS?[top]
Technology moves so fast, not even gossip can keep up with it. But for the coaches, it’s a must. In our research from 2005-2006, it was clear that coaches had made the switch to DVDs for one reason…they were getting recruitment videos in that format. In the past two years, it’s the VHS machine that’s become obsolete, not the DVD players. Not only that, but coaches can often just pop them into their computer if they have a DVD player on it as well.
I heard that not all DVDs will play in a DVD player. What's the deal?[top]
True. There are two competing formats for DVDs: DVD-R and DVD+R. This war between formats isn’t ending any time soon, so we did our research. As it turns out, 97% of DVD-Rs will play on DVD players as compared to about 83% of DVD+R. So that’s what we send. But just in case, we’ve included an extremely visible instruction card right when they open the case that states the compatibility problem and suggests trying another DVD player should the first one not work (although at 97%, it likely will). If they still have problems, our email is listed so they can notify us and we can send a replacement DVD at our cost immediately.
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