Making the Most of Game Footage
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Football coaches understand that simply having game footage and watching it back is no way to rapidly improve their program. It certainly can be used to improve one’s coaching, their team’s strategy and player’s efforts, but only if game footage review is done correctly.
Game footage is meant to be still, all encompassing and plain. On its own, this means coaches and players may gain very little by rewatching their last game. This means finding areas for improvement and a team’s or individual’s strengths takes some additional effort.
When done correctly, reviewing game footage is invaluable. It is capable of turning teams, coaches and players into champions. Whether used on the sidelines mid-game or used for game review, your end zone camera and sideline cameras, instant replay systems and tagging features are a coach’s best friend.
Here’s how we recommend you fully utilize your end zone camera system:
1. Recall the purpose of each play in review.
Before a play may be fully analyzed, the coach or player must remember why the play was called, what it was meant to do, and how well it seemed to work (at least in the moment). Only once you’ve developed this involved understanding will the actions on the screen help you identify strengths and weaknesses. With this review, you’ll know exactly what needs to be done the next time you’re in a similar situation.
2. Highlight the most impactful players.
Whether reviewing defensive or offensive plays, be sure to identify those players which have the largest impact on the play and its success or failure. For passing plays, take note of your QB and intended receiver. If it’s a run, be sure to point out the running back and his blocker.
3. Divide the play in two.
Before a play has taken place, it is simply a theory. This period of time, before the ball is snapped, is your pre-snap period. Each team sets-up their play with what should be an easily identifiable objective in mind. The post-snap period, then, is how well each team met their objective. Separate the two in your game footage review to avoid confusion between what was planned and how plays actually developed.
4. Segment by position.
Once you’ve identified the intentions of a play, the key players, and the pre- and post-snap periods, you will be able to focus in on the smaller details that impacted the play. Take note of your key player’s positions on the line of scrimmage pre-snap and make notes of their movements and actions. No matter how you do this, make sure you only focus on one player at time to maximize the effectiveness of your review.
Remember that switching between multiple camera angles, such as end zone camera and press box angles, will give reviewers the most clear and constructive game footage for their review.
