How Do I Study Football Game Films?
- 1). Select a comfortable location that provides a work surface for taking notes and making drawings during the course of watching the film. Familiarize yourself with the remote control on the video player, especially the play, stop, pause, fast forward and rewind buttons as these will be used frequently while watching film.
- 2). Start your initial viewing of the game film. This will typically be one of several times the film is watched. It will help to see the film several times as things missed the first time may be seen the second or third time.
- 3). Watch the film for offensive and defensive formations used by the upcoming team. It helps to assign terminology to various formations. You may want to use your team's terminology for specific formations or plays. This may help you and others understand what the other team is doing.
- 4). Look for tendencies. Second down and short, second and long, third and short and third and long will impact play calling in different ways. Every head coach or coordinator is different, so look for play calling and formation tendencies throughout the game for each given situation. Take notes and make drawings to help chart tendencies.
- 5). Study the play of particular positions or individuals. Look for receivers or running backs who are favored targets of the quarterback. Watch for linemen and linebackers who are mobile and demonstrate agility and movement. Take notes on how, when and where certain players line up.
- 6). Dissect special teams. Pay attention to kick coverages, return blocking and trick plays from special teams formations. Take note of any subtle differences that may indicate when a trick play or trick formation is used.
- 7). Review and organize your notes. Whether your notes are for your personal use or to be shared, you should review what you have written or drawn immediately after watching the film. Refer back to the film, using the fast forward or reverse, to locate any plays or formations on which you may have questions.
