In short
The best camera for grassroots football is often the one you already own, placed well. A phone or a camcorder on a tall tripod, high up near the halfway line, with someone following the play, records everything analysis needs. An AI camera is worth buying if nobody at the club wants to film. Where the camera stands matters more than which camera it is.
What matters most: where the camera stands
- High up. The higher the camera, the less players hide each other. A tall tripod, a stand or a balcony all help.
- Near the halfway line. From the middle, both halves of the pitch look the same size.
- Following the play. Keep the ball and the players around it in the picture, without zooming in on one player.
- Steady. Smooth, slow pans. A shaking picture is hard to watch and hard to analyse.
Our filming guide has a checklist to give whoever holds the camera.
The options, from cheapest up
| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| A phone on a tall tripod | Starting today, with what you have | Battery, storage and a person to follow the play |
| A camcorder on a pole or tower | Sharp, steady video every week | Someone has to set it up and follow the play |
| An auto-tracking phone mount | Filming without a person behind the phone | Can lose the ball on long passes |
| An AI camera (Veo, Pixellot, Trace and similar) | Clubs where nobody wants to film | The camera plus a yearly plan |
What picture quality do you need?
Sharper video lets you see more: faces, shirt numbers, the ball. Full HD is a good minimum, and filming in higher quality when your camera allows it helps. More important than the number is a sharp, steady picture taken from high up. A blurry, zoomed-out picture from the corner flag is the hardest to use, whatever the camera.
Once you have the video
SeeKick works on the video from any of these cameras. Upload the match and both team sheets, and the next evening every player on both teams is named, with his running, his clips and a written report. Already film with an AI camera? You can upload that video too. See analyse a Veo or phone recording.
Questions
What is the best camera to film grassroots football?
Often the one you already have: a phone or a camcorder on a tall tripod, high up near the halfway line, following the play. An AI camera is worth it if nobody at the club wants to film.
Can I film a football match with a phone?
Yes. Put it on a tall tripod near the halfway line, film in landscape, keep it steady and follow the play. Bring a power bank and check the storage before kick-off.
Do I need an AI camera like Veo for analysis?
No. An AI camera records the match for you, which is useful if nobody wants to film. For analysis, any steady video from high up that follows the play works.
Where should I put the camera at a football match?
As high as you can, level with the halfway line, on the side of the pitch. Avoid filming from behind a goal or from the corner.