Your highlight reel gets them interested; your social media history gets you signed. In the world of elite recruiting, coaches aren't just looking for your vertical leap—they are looking for reasons to say 'no.' This guide breaks down why your digital footprint is your second transcript and how to curate a presence that reinforces your Tier One status.

You are at the game. You are holding the iPad or the camera. You are trying to capture that "highlight reel" moment for your child.

But most parent-filmed footage is unusable. It’s too shaky, it’s zoomed in too tight, or the audio is full of parents screaming at the referee. College coaches spend about 30 seconds evaluating a highlight tape. If the footage makes them seasick, they move on.

You don't need a $2,000 camera. You just need better tactics. Here is the Tier One guide to filming game tape.

You have a massive goal—D1, scholarship, or professional status. Great. Stop waiting for coaches to find you. You need to present yourself as a solved problem—an athlete who is ready to execute from Day One. Coaches don't just look at stats; they look for predictable performance, intellectual maturity, and low risk.