The Power of Sports Video – Chapter 2

Reviewing the high school sports video system at Salesianum School

The rise of sports video isn’t just a trend—it’s a new standard for sports coverage. Over the past decade, we’ve seen major sports leagues embrace streaming platforms via new apps and campaigns on social media. From entire organizations to individual players, sports is being experienced on a new frontier. Smaller organizations, such as high schools and community leagues, are able to record and live stream games with the dual-benefit of connecting fans and providing coaches with valuable replay footage to review after the game.

Reviewing the high school sports video system at Salesianum School

We are seeing the rise of DIY sport commentary shows made by super fans who are using free software such as Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) to create video and live streams that engage live audiences. Coaches, assistants and volunteers are using sports video management solutions and video editing software to make video accessible to players, parents, fans and even scouts. Streaming services and dedicated sports platforms are emerging, allowing sports enthusiasts to follow niche sports and local teams they wouldn’t have been able to watch otherwise. As a result, players and fans are more excited and engaged than ever before.

Sports Video Applications

Sports video gives you the power to fine-tune your team’s strategy in the heat of the moment and confidently confirm critical calls. After the game you can connect with your community using highlight reels that bring every exciting play to fans of your team. This isn’t a dream—it’s the new reality of modern coaching. With the rise of tools that blend sports analytics, sideline instant replay and innovative video production, you have more resources than ever before to sharpen your coaching vision and elevate the athlete experience.

As a coach, you’ve no doubt seen the transformative power of data firsthand. Now, thanks to accessible video tools and cutting-edge analytics software, you can break down game video at a level of detail that was once reserved only for the pros. Every play, positioning error or successful tactic can be captured and analyzed, enabling you to develop strategies with greater precision. Instead of waiting until after the game to digest what happened, you can share clips and insights with your team in real time—whether it’s at halftime, a quick sideline huddle or even between sets or innings. You can even enlist comments from others who are watching a live stream of the game – from anywhere in the world. Your athletes can then make immediate adjustments, improving their performance before the final whistle.

And it’s not just about what happens on the field. It’s also about strengthening the bond with your players, parents and fans off the field. Using intuitive editing tools and broadcasting software, you can produce engaging highlight reels, player spotlights and behind-the-scenes footage that celebrates your team’s journey. These videos aren’t just about flaunting success; they’re about inspiring your players, boosting their confidence and showing that their hard work is recognized and appreciated. In doing so, you’ll foster a culture of growth, excitement and community pride that motivates everyone to give their best.

SAR High School Broadcast Club works on editing sports video footage.

After a year of broadcasting SAR High School’s sports teams, Josh Lewis, the school’s IT Director, noticed the growing impact of recorded games. Coaches began reaching out, asking where they could access the footage and it became clear that on-demand replays were just as valuable as live broadcasts.

“Even if only 5 or 10 people watch live, our videos usually get a couple hundred views on YouTube the next day,” Lewis explained. “Coaches and student-athletes use the footage to break down games, spot areas for improvement and even analyze opposing players for a competitive edge.”

I understand that this may seem like a lot of additional work and in some cases, it is. However, advancements in AI tools are making the process increasingly manageable. Today, AI-powered cameras can automatically record and live stream game footage with minimal setup. Automated highlight reel clipping tools significantly reduce the time spent on post-game editing. Additionally, near real-time sports analytics and game breakdown services are now available, enabling coaches to concentrate on their athletes rather than the technology. These innovations streamline the sports video, making all of these advantages easier to access than ever before.

Ultimately, the integration of sports analytics, instant replay and video production empowers you to coach smarter, faster and more creatively. You’ll be guiding your players with insights rooted in solid evidence rather than athlete memories and verbal cues. You’ll be leading them through a season with a level of clarity and engagement that they can experience on and off the field. It’s time to embrace these tools and open the door to more dynamic practices, sharper in-game adjustments and a truly enriched sports experience for all involved.

Sports video’s surge in popularity is driven by several factors:

Accessibility: Sports video is available on any device—whether it’s a phone, tablet or computer.
Excitement: The popularity of highlight reels, reducing hours of footage into bite-sized moments of action-packed excitement, capturing the most thrilling plays and key turning points that keep fans engaged and coming back for more.
Interactivity: Sports team management platforms allow for player and coach interaction through real-time feedback, statistics and engagement features, making the experience more immersive.
Team Work: New apps and technology are making it easier for coaches, assistants, parents and even players to work together to build out interactive experiences for entire leagues; complete with statistics, videos, live streams and more.
Detailed Analysis: With sports analysis software, coaches are able to connect with their players using impactful visuals on wireless tablets on the sidelines and in the locker room. Additionally, post-game analysis that was once only available for the pros, is now easier to use and more accessible than ever before.

By the end of this book, you’ll understand how to enjoy these trends and the growth of sports video.

Who Should Use Sports Video?

The beauty of sports video is that it’s not limited to professional leagues. It can benefit a wide range of sports organizations, offering opportunities for engagement, visibility and even revenue generation:

Local and Amateur Leagues: Smaller teams and leagues can attract attention and build a fan base without the need for traditional TV deals. Adding on-screen sponsorships to live streams can help generate revenue and support these organizations.
Schools and Universities: Parents, students and alumni can tune in to support their school’s sports teams. Schools can also showcase student talent and generate income through sponsor logos or advertisements integrated into the broadcast. It’s quite common to use large LED screens to feature instant replays, sponsorship loops and engaging content for fans.
Clubs and Associations: From community soccer leagues to martial arts tournaments, live streaming elevates the visibility of smaller events. On-screen sponsorships and branded content loops can turn these streams into valuable promotional tools.
School Broadcast Clubs: Schools with broadcast clubs can leverage student enthusiasm for video production to record and stream sports events. This not only provides students with hands-on experience but also offers opportunities to attract sponsors for the streams.
Esports: Competitive gaming has become a major segment of sports streaming, with tournaments and leagues attracting millions of viewers. These broadcasts provide an ideal platform for sponsorships and branded content, contributing to the growing revenue potential in esports.

Even sports that have niche audiences can build a dedicated following through live streaming. Whether it’s pickleball, fencing or ultimate frisbee, there’s an audience ready to watch, engage and support these events.

My Research Process

Throughout the development of this book, I conducted hands-on research by recording, live streaming and analyzing sports at youth, high school and professional levels. This process covered both indoor and outdoor environments, spanning individual sports like tennis and team sports such as soccer and lacrosse. I worked extensively with a variety of recording and live streaming systems, coaching and sideline instant replay tools and sports analysis software from multiple vendors. These real-world experiences allowed me to gain practical insights and share valuable knowledge to help others enhance their sports video production capabilities.

Types of Sports Video Recording

A Look Ahead

In the following chapters, we’ll dive deeper into the nuts and bolts of sports video. From choosing the right equipment and setting up cameras to mastering production techniques and distributing your stream, this book will provide you with everything you need to know. By the time you finish, you’ll be ready to define what your team needs out of sports analytics, the setup required to capture high-quality video and how to effectively leverage your footage and data to enhance team performance and engage your audience. Whether you are a coach, producer or sports enthusiast, this book will equip you with the knowledge and skills to elevate your sports video production and streaming capabilities to the next level.

Join the StreamGeeks Community and Start Streaming Like a Pro By downloading Sports Video: Recording, Analysis, and Live Streaming, you’ll gain access to: