College coaches evaluate track and field and cross country recruits based on specific skills relevant to their performance on the track, in the field, or during a race. When building your playlists, use the skill tags below to highlight the components of your athleticism that coaches most want to see. 

Track & Field + Cross Country Skills in Playlists:

• Sprints
• Middle Distance
• Distance
• Hurdles
• Long Jump
• Triple Jump
• High Jump
• Pole Vault
• Throws
• Javelin
• Shotput
• Multi-Events
• Relays
• Training
• Race
• Training
• Other

⭐ Tip: If a clip contains multiple skills or covers an extended event, use multiple tags so college coaches can evaluate it accurately. For example, a successful anchor leg in a relay should be tagged with both "Relays" and "Sprints”.

Universal Skills: Strategy and Preparation

These tags demonstrate your overall commitment to the sport and your ability to perform in a competitive environment.

• Race: Use this tag for any footage captured during competitive meets, invitationals, or cross-country races. Coaches want to see your tactical positioning, pacing, and how you handle the pressure of a live field. Make sure to include a caption that includes your time and place in the race for the most context possible for college coaches. 
• Training: Recruiting-ready athletes show their work behind the scenes. Use this tag for technical drills, block work, or interval sessions to showcase your form mechanics and dedication to improvement. Make sure to include captions to provide college coaches with as much context as possible. 
• Other: Use this tag for unique highlights that demonstrate athleticism outside of primary events, such as strength and conditioning milestones or leadership moments. Make sure to include captions to provide college coaches with as much context as possible. 

On the Track: Speed, Endurance, & Technique 

For most coaches, track events are about explosive power, rhythmic endurance, and technical precision. Use these tags to highlight your discipline-specific mastery.

• Sprints & Relays: Showcase your block starts, drive phase, and top-end speed. For relays, coaches specifically look for efficient baton exchanges and competitive urgency.
• Hurdles: Highlight your lead-leg consistency and ability to maintain velocity between barriers. Coaches evaluate your "snap-down" and flight control.
• Middle Distance & Distance: Use these tags to showcase your aerobic capacity and strategic "kick." Coaches look for efficient running economy and the ability to close gaps in the final stages of a race.

Field Events: Power & Verticality 

An athlete’s ability to execute complex technical movements with maximum power is what separates top recruits in field disciplines.

• Jumps (Long, Triple, High, Pole Vault): Use these tags to highlight your approach speed, takeoff mechanics, and body control in the air. Coaches look for explosive verticality and technical clearance.
• Throws (Javelin, Shot Put): Showcase your release mechanics and footwork in the circle or on the runway. Include clips that show your "power position" and follow-through to demonstrate strength and composure.
• Multi-Events: Use this tag to highlight your versatility across various disciplines, proving your overall athletic range and ability to score in multiple areas.

After learning what coaches are looking for in your specific events, it’s time to start creating your playlists. Check out our article, “Building Your Playlists”, to get started!