College coaches evaluate soccer recruits based on specific skills relevant to each position. . You’re likely to have more clips highlighting certain skills that are most relevant for your position or play style, and these specific skills will be a core focus of a college coach’s evaluation process. Below, we outline the different positions in soccer, and the skills college coaches will be looking for.

Soccer Skills in Pinned Playlist:

• 1v1 Offense

• 1v1 Defense

• Ball Control

• Goals

• Passing

• Tackling

• Transition Plays

• Opportunity Creation

• Crossing

• Heading

• Marking

• Clearing

• Off Ball Plays

• Positioning

• Set Pieces

• Interceptions

• Saves

• Other

If you think something is missing or need assistance, please submit a form here:  🔗 Form Link → 

If a clip contains multiple skills or covers an extended play, use multiple tags so college coaches can evaluate it accurately.

Forwards

Forwards are responsible for scoring and creating goal opportunities. Coaches look for offensive play, ball control, and decision-making abilities in tight spaces.

• 1v1 Offense: Show your ability to beat defenders and create scoring chances.
  • Examples: Dribbling past defenders, close-range shots under pressure.
• Goals: Highlight your scoring ability by including a variety of goals.
  • Examples: Long-range strikes, quick finishes, volleys, headers.
• Opportunity Creation: Showcase your vision and passing skills in creating chances.
  • Examples: Through balls, lay-offs for teammates, crossing into dangerous areas.
• Crossing and Heading: Demonstrate your ability to cross accurately or head the ball on target.
• Off Ball Plays: Include clips showing smart movement without the ball to get into goal-scoring positions.

Midfielders

Midfielders are versatile players who support both offensive and defensive play. Coaches evaluate midfielders on ball control, distribution, positioning, and defensive contributions.

• Ball Control: Demonstrate your ability to maintain possession under pressure.
  • Examples: Quick turns, shielding the ball, ball control in tight spaces.
• Passing: Highlight your range and accuracy in passing, from short passes to long switches.
  • Examples: Accurate through balls, cross-field passes, quick combinations.
• 1v1 Defense and Tackling: Show your ability to regain possession and disrupt opponents.
  • Examples: Tackling, intercepting passes, winning 1v1 duels.
• Positioning and Transition Plays: Include positioning clips that show your awareness on both sides of the ball.
  • Examples: Tracking back in transition, positioning to receive a pass, setting up a counter-attack.
• Set Pieces: If you take set pieces, showcase your free kicks, corners, or other set play deliveries.

Defenders

Defenders focus on protecting the goal, marking opponents, and clearing the ball. Coaches look for solid tackling, marking, and ability to read the game defensively.

• 1v1 Defense: Highlight your defensive abilities in 1v1 situations.
  • Examples: Winning challenges, preventing an opponent from advancing.
• Tackling and Interceptions: Show strong tackles and intercepting abilities.
  • Examples: Clean tackles, anticipating passes and cutting them off.
• Marking and Positioning: Demonstrate your ability to track players and maintain defensive structure.
  • Examples: Marking attackers on set pieces, maintaining defensive shape.
• Clearing: Show your ability to effectively clear the ball out of danger.
• Heading: Include defensive headers, especially if you’re winning aerial duels in critical moments.

Goalkeepers

Goalkeepers play a unique role with a strong focus on shot-stopping, positioning, and distribution. Coaches evaluate goalkeepers on saves, communication, and ability to organize the defense.

• Saves: Showcase a range of saves to demonstrate your shot-stopping skills.
  • Examples: Reaction saves, diving saves, 1v1 stops.
• Positioning and Interceptions: Display your positioning and anticipation.
  • Examples: Coming off the line for a cross, intercepting through balls.
• Passing and Distribution: Highlight your ability to distribute the ball accurately and effectively.
  • Examples: Quick throws to start a counter, accurate goal kicks, long throws.
• Communication during Set Pieces: Show clips of you organizing the defense or making crucial interventions during set pieces.

After learning what coaches are looking for with your specific position, it’s time to start creating your pinned playlist. Check out our article, “Building and Publishing Pinned Playlists,” to get started!