​Every athlete has experienced this: when you’re in the middle of a battle, your emotions, adrenaline, and heat of the situation can get in the way of some pretty logical decision-making.
 
Drenched in sweat, pumping with adrenaline, and doing everything in your power to not let the other team score in the last few minutes of the game—or getting back at a player who fouled your teammate or just playing all out can then make it tough to have an honest assessment of your performance after the whistle blows.
 
There is scientific research to back that phenomenon up. When your brain recalls a certain situation in the middle of the game or when you think back to your last performance, you don’t have 100 percent objectivity in the situation. That memory also attaches to the feelings you’ve got going on, too.
 
So whether you’re stressed, fatigued, feeling a sense of pressure in the championship match, then your memory of that moment can be skewed. It can even mess with the accuracy of your memory—even getting you to remember things differently than they actually went down!
 
This is why video is so critical for an accurate, unbiased evaluation of your performance. 
 
However, overcoming personal bias is not the only benefit of using film to better your performance as an athlete. It can also turn your play into data, ultimately using objectivity as the star.
 
We all know that film was beneficial for the improvement of a player—but let’s take a look at how:
 
It Creates Real Numbers
 
In order to completely remove all the biases from the performance, video analysis can put a game into black and white data. 
 
So, whether you think you played well and your coach thinks you played poorly, these opinions aren’t always based on fact—both you, your coach, your teammates, and your opponents all have emotions tied to how they viewed the game.
 
However, with video, you can rewatch the performance in a totally new light. You can highlight several different hard facts and plays—like the number of completed passes, the number of (successful) defensive tackles or even shots on target or completely missing the mark.
 
These not only help create a better view of the past game in order for you to pinpoint where things might have gone wrong, but it can also help you statistically put actual facts on your performance in order to figure out what you need to work on!
 
It Shows You an Image of Yourself
 
Again, there is actual science proving that video modeling can help you get a realistic view of not only the way you play as a whole on the field but also your shape (where you are positioned on the field in regards to the rest of your team and the ball), your form (when you are performing a specific skill), your technique, and your mechanics.
 
If you are learning a new position, seeing where you are on the field through video analysis can definitely help you physically see and analyze your current performance. Then, when you’re out on the field again, you’ll have a better awareness of your space on the field related to where you should be.
 
Even though athletes typically have a pretty good awareness of your body, you might realize you’re doing something wrong (especially if the result isn’t what you wanted) but might not be able to point out what. So, if you are learning a new skill or a technical way to pass or shoot, video can show you how your body moves and help create that objective channel from which you can point out that mechanical flaw.
 
It Can Pinpoint a Problem
 
Especially since there is typically quite a bit of emotion attached to a performance, you might go into a video analysis with the thought that a lot has gone wrong.
 
However, by separating certain plays in your performance, cutting highlights of the game, you can analyze a bit at a time without feeling overloaded by the memory of a bad performance. Staying analytical and watching a little at a time can help you avoid overanalyzing and becoming then counterproductive.
 
It Can Make an Off-Day More Productive
 
Whether you are watching game film as a team or individually, the act of doing so can help you do so much more on your day off—but still resting physically.
 
Game film also allows injured players to still feel a part of the team and still feel like they can make a difference or benefit from learning about the game, collectively as a team or by looking at past matches.
 
If you want your team to stay focused but need them to physically take a breather to avoid injuries due to overuse, watching game film can help. Sometimes, watching game film can be just as beneficial as a day out of the field.
 
It Can Give You Confidence
 
Working on your game can go so far beyond another day out on the field or in the gym. Soccer is not just a physical game—with your skills, strength, and speed. It’s a mental challenge, as well. Therefore, knowing you’re doing everything in your power to be a better player both physically and mentally can help give you the confidence you need to get better on the field.
 
When you’re studying your own play, your team’s performance or that of an opponent, video can give you that extra boost of confidence to prepare for your next game.
 
One of the best parts about soccer is that although you can even be elected as the best player in the world, you’re still a student of the game. There is no black belt in soccer—you can never be a master of the sport. You can have experience, knowledge, and wisdom—but you should never stop learning and never stop wanting to improve. Game film can be that missing piece to take you (always) up to the next level.
 
 
Using Game Film to Analyze and Improve
 
By creating an unbiased way to review your performance, game film can help be the tool you need to improve.
 
And as we mentioned before, you should never stop wanting to improve. Fortunately, game film can be used or done at any level, meaning that no matter how good you are, there’s an aspect of your game that you can analyze and work on.
 
We hope this article has helped present you with points as to how game film can help you get better at soccer and improve as a player to be the best you can be!
 
It Gets You Over Your Ego
 
It’s an attribute that we have that innately and historically links to our actual survival. Although it can be a helpful motivation when we’re looking to get food in order to see another day, it doesn’t truly help when we need to be objective in our performance in the last game.
 
Using film, however, can help remove yourself as a player from the emotions, stress, and pressure you may have felt when you were in the middle of it.
 
And as we mentioned before—it’s science: although our prefrontal cortex can evaluate performances at an optimal level, the emotions sort of get in the way, taking logic out of the thought processes behind it. This can influence the way we remember things—and make evaluation a more emotional event rather than analytical. 

Why Choose SVT Advantage?

While there are a few other options to record your games, SVT is the best choice for you and your team. With our different package options, we provide high quality video at a great price point.  No yearly fees, use the equipment as long as you want, and film what you want.
 
High Quality Footage

You are in control of what you want to film and the quality is great.  SVT’s camera system, utilize camera technology that provides high quality film.  Our camcorders utilize 30x optical zoom (not digital cropping) to capture footage.  This leads to better image quality when zooming.  They also don’t utilize fish-eye lenses (found in many action-style cameras), which distort the playing field and perceived distance between players.  Our cameras also record at 60 frames per second (60p), providing a clearer video for these fast-paced sports.  

Easy to Transport

SVT’s camera system, pole, and tripod are made from heavy-duty poly-webbing with water-resistant metal parts. Despite the amount of quality materials that we include in our packages, our system also breaks down so that it can fit in the back of your car. At only about twenty pounds, it’s easy to carry from your car to the field.

Easy to Use

You don’t need a background in film to understand how to use our products. Once the system is set up on the field, it can be managed by anyone. That means that if you’re a coach, you can choose to spend your time on the sidelines coaching your team where you are needed, rather than huddled by a camera.

Quick Setup

No one wants to have to show up super early just to set up a tripod or have to spend an hour alone on the field putting everything away. That’s why our system is quick to both set up and take down. Within minutes, you can be ready to record your lacrosse match and get professional quality video.
Fast Pan and Tilt System
Lacrosse is a fast sport and with a few quick passes, the ball can cross a field and be a headache to track. That’s why our product has a fast pan and tilt system. No matter where the action is taking place, the Tournament Traveler 4 system from SVT Advantage is able to keep it in sight so you don’t miss a single moment of action.

Your team can benefit from having a film day. With even a few hours spent analyzing and looking over game footage, you will be able to find where you need to focus and improve your game. There’s one clear best option when it comes to recording lacrosse games: Turn to SVT Advantage. Our products are made with 

Lacrosse is a growing game in the U.S. and there’s a steady trend of people getting interested and invested in the sport. It’s an awesome game for fans of all ages, with a simple set of rules that can be understood fairly quickly, but strategies and tactics that can take a lifetime to master.
With more people learning the game and wanting to get better, there’s a bigger demand for getting important matches recorded to watch later. Days spent watching game film, while physically relaxing, can be just as valuable as practice time in the gym lifting weights or on the field. 
​
But what exactly are players getting from spending valuable time sitting and watching a screen? Film isn’t a digital scrapbook there to remember the good times—it’s an important tool to learn from. It gives your team time to work on unity, learn strategy, and invite internal criticism.

Team Unity

Gathering together in a room to study a film can actually be a valuable team-building exercise. The unity and camaraderie grows, no matter if you are watching a win or a loss. By studying the wins, your team will be able to see the importance of working as a team and the strengths that led them to victory—which will bring everyone closer together. Even in studying the losses, teams can bond by commiserating with each other and looking to find ways to raise each other up.

Strategy

Sometimes when a player is on the field in the heat of the moment, it’s hard to see the bigger picture. It’s difficult for them to conceptualize where defenders and attackers are, and see what options are available. Without a better understanding of the game and the position of the teams, players aren’t always able to make the best choices while on the field. With a recorded game, the team is able to do something they could never do on the field: Pause the game and study. 

With some planning, a coach can pause at key moments and start a discussion with their team about what could be done and their overall strategy. Studying and learning from film gives players the ability to see the field and layout while giving them time to develop better playmaking skills. With enough study of strategy and game mechanics in the film room, mindful play becomes second nature on the field.

Self Criticism

Film offers the chance for reflection and improvement. Even if a coach says nothing while watching the film, a smart player can look at their performance and see the mistakes they are making. These mistakes can lie within their decision-making processes, or even their technical skills. 

Film gives your players a chance to see room for improvement in their abilities and skills. Just like professional dancers practice in a room with mirrors so they can see their movements and make adjustments, studying film gives your players the same chance to see their progress and gaps in skill.

How to Film a Lacrosse Game

There are a few options for recording a lacrosse game, but some are easier to set up and better for the players than others. When you’re determining how to film a lacrosse game you need to consider the cost, accessibility, and range of sight of the camera. 

The cost of a camera can range drastically. You can use everything from a personal phone to a professional HD camcorder. While small handheld cameras are inexpensive, cheap video quality can sometimes get in the way of thorough game analysis. If a player can’t see what they’re doing on the field, the entire purpose of filming is ruined. 

Camera quality is also important.  Fast paced games, where the speed of the ball can travel from 60-100 mph need a camera that can record at 60 frames per second (60p).  Many cameras record at 30 frames per second (60i).  But this does not provide enough frames for good quality film.  Also, having a good quality camera with optical zoom (not digital) is important if you really want good clarity.  Keep in mind, a camera with 4K, but using digital zooming, provides worse resolution than a  HD 1080p camera with a good optical zoom.

Accessibility is important because you don’t want to have a complicated set up that is impossible to use. The more time you spend learning your camera setup, the less time is left for working with your team and helping them improve in meaningful ways.

The angle film is taken is one of the most important aspects of recording a lacrosse match. This allows the viewer to understand spacing and distance - which cannot be seen from the field level. This elevated view also allows the viewer to see the different players and their placement in relation to each other.  Lacrosse is a team sport, and the team needs to look at how they are doing on the field, even when they aren’t at the center of action. The ability of a defenseman or an attacker to position themselves in preparation for what might be coming their way matters and can be improved on.

Handheld

You can always grab a small handheld camera, sit on the sidelines, and hit record. While this option is cheap and easy, it might not be the best choice for your players. When you’re sitting on the sidelines, or even in the bleachers, your view of the field is limited. You might be able to focus on the action surrounding the ball, but lacrosse is complicated and a lot of the most important movements and actions are done when the ball is nowhere near the player. 

Another downside of using a handheld camera is stability in the video quality. Lacrosse games last at least 90 minutes, and managing a camera for that long can become a feat of strength. Your arm will start to droop and wobble, and it can become tiring trying to keep up with the action. Players can’t learn how to be better if the footage lacks focus or stability.

Tripod

A handheld camera on a tripod gives you the stability to record for a long period of time with a stable shot at a cheap cost, but it also has one major downfall: the angle of the recording. Most camera tripods on the market only raise up to about five feet. This means that while the shot might be more stable than a handheld camera, the film is still going to have an extremely limited range of sight.

Camera Pole and Tripod

For some teams, especially high school teams, they practice and play on the football field that is surrounded by high bleachers and set up a tripod at the top of the bleachers. They do this because a camera that is high over the field is able to give the best view of the action. The camera can easily see the full field, and give stable footage tracking the action of the game as a whole. But what about the majority of teams that don’t practice or play in a football stadium? 

For those who practice in open fields that might have a small set of bleachers nearby, a camera pole and tripod is perfect for you. The camera pole allows you to have a camera 16 feet above the field which gives you better angles to see all of the action in HD quality.

So, what is your best option for recording a lacrosse game? Check out SVT Advantage.

Why Choose SVT Advantage?

While there are a few other options to record your games, SVT is the best choice for you and your team. With our different package options, there is a solution ready for you.

High Quality Footage

SVT’s camera system, utilize camera technology that provides high quality film.  Our camcorders utilize 30x optical zoom (not digital cropping) to capture footage.  This leads to better image quality when zooming.  They also don’t utilize fish-eye lenses (found in many action-style cameras), which distort the playing field and perceived distance between players.  Our cameras also record at 60 frames per second (60p), providing a clearer video for these fast-paced sports.  
​
Easy to Transport

SVT’s camera system, pole, and tripod are made from heavy-duty poly-webbing with water-resistant metal parts. Despite the amount of quality materials that we include in our packages, our system also breaks down so that it can fit in the back of your car. At only about twenty pounds, it’s easy to carry from your car to the field.

Easy to Use

You don’t need a background in film to understand how to use our products. Once the system is set up on the field, it can be managed by anyone. That means that if you’re a coach, you can choose to spend your time on the sidelines coaching your team where you are needed, rather than huddled by a camera.

Quick Setup

No one wants to have to show up super early just to set up a tripod or have to spend an hour alone on the field putting everything away. That’s why our system is quick to both set up and take down. Within minutes, you can be ready to record your lacrosse match and get professional quality video.

Fast Pan and Tilt System

Lacrosse is a fast sport and with a few quick passes, the ball can cross a field and be a headache to track. That’s why our product has a fast pan and tilt system. No matter where the action is taking place, the Tournament Traveler 4 system from SVT Advantage is able to keep it in sight so you don’t miss a single moment of action.

Your team can benefit from having a film day. With even a few hours spent analyzing and looking over game footage, you will be able to find where you need to focus and improve your game. There’s one clear best option when it comes to recording lacrosse games: Turn to SVT Advantage. Our products are made with quality and cost in mind so that you can get HD footage from your game to study and learn from. Contact us to learn how you can easily and affordably record your  game.

Is capturing good quality film a perceived hassle for your sport team or club?  You wouldn’t be alone.  Many coaches and parents struggle with this.  Just finding equipment can be a challenge let alone the day-in and day-out set-up, filming and uploading.  Add those worries to concerns of coaching, travelling or just making sure your child brought the right matching socks and their water bottle to the game - it can be a little overwhelming.  However, the benefits of having good quality elevated film are substantial.  Players perform better when they visually see what they are doing through good film review.  Players at all levels are using video now because it is so impactful.

If you are struggling with organizing your filming activities, or just want to figure out the process, there are a few tips and best practices.  We’ve put together this short blog to help you take the hassle and stress out of recording lacrosse, soccer, rugby and other sports.
 
Team Meeting

At the beginning of the season, add the topic of filming to the team meeting agenda.  Make sure to discuss the points below and outline responsibilities.
 
Equipment Selection Committee
​
​We’ve covered this is different blogs, so we won’t spend time on this here.  Below is a video that outlines the important items to consider in filming sports and selecting the sports video recording system that is right for you.  This video focuses on recording soccer, but the content is applicable to filming many other sports.

Set-Up Crew

Assign one or two parents as the set-up crew.  We would recommend this crew be responsible for transport as well as the set-up and take down of the camera tower.  Keeping this assignment to only one or two parents makes sure the camera tower is set up correctly, in the same way, and that items are not left behind.  It also speeds up the set-up time since those setting it up become very familiar with the camera tower. We typically plan 10-15 minutes to set up a camera tower even though it only takes about 5 minutes.
 
Filming Crew

Once the camera tower is up, filming is fairly easy.  There may be some systems that are a little more complex.  But for the SVT Advantage system, the filming is actually fairly simple.  Many teams have youth film.   The hardest part about filming the game is making sure that you let the person filming know what you want to capture.  If you are using the film to capture positioning or other tactical aspects – make sure the person filming the sport understands what you are trying to see.  If you are capturing highlight film of a single player, make sure to let the person filming is aware so they can zoom in and capture better detail, especially on the far side of a field.
 
Upload Crew

Once you have the game footage, assign a person to handle uploading it (maybe after you review it or do film study).  Many teams have one person responsible for this.  This is not hard to do – just need to determine where you will upload the video.  Many teams upload to hudl which provides many great tools and highlight tools for the team.

These simple steps will make filming your sport manageable.  Recording sports can provide great insights for your players as well as improve recruiting opportunities. 

SVT Can Help

Having a strategy for recording your games will significantly reduce hassles and confusion.   We at SVT look forward to helping you capture your games.  SVT provides economical and very mobile camera towers to help you record soccer games easier. 

​Why should you choose to go with SVT? We work with clubs and teams across the US and several other countries.  We have several packages to choose from.  Our Package 3 is the most popular and consists of a strong, lightweight aluminum tripod with a sturdy 16-foot carbon-fiber composite camera pole, plus a monitor and remote. We provide power packs and all of the cables and cords that you need to make the system work together. Once you purchase our system – use it as much as you like.  There are no contracts.  Contact us today for more information.