How To Properly Analyze your Opponents Game Film

Having access to your opponents film can help you become better prepared for gameday. The common challenge for most players is not knowing exactly what to look at when studying  their opponent’s film. Most players walk away from a film session without having gained a better understanding of their opponent. Studying your opponent requires just as much attention to detail as self-scouting.

Below are tips on how to effectively study your opponent in a film session: 

• Take Notes: Step 1 is to make sure you have a notepad or any device that has a notes app. Just like you have to actively take notes in class when you are trying to learn new material. These notes can help you remember what you learned throughout the week and also they can be helpful against future opponents. 

 

• Study Tendencies and Personnel: All teams have tendencies that no matter how much they try they cannot hide. It is important to pick up on these tendencies while watching film. Some tendencies are obvious such as a team's likelihood to run the ball once based on personnel changes (more lineman/bigger backs). However, some are well hidden like the likelihood to run the ball based on the depth of the running back in the backfield or offensive formation. Some teams have tendencies on how often they run certain plays given the personnel, formation, front, or even positioning on the field. While not everything you discover through film will be 100% it will serve as clues to help you play faster.

 

• Study your match-up: In the game of football there are matchups that impact the outcome of the game. Sometimes these match-ups are 1on1 and some are team based. You should study film and approach each game like that matchup is the most important of the game. For example, Wide receivers should study the DB’s you will be facing and vice versa. Offensive lineman and defensive lineman should be watching their opponents. If you are on punt or kickoff you should study the opposing teams returner and the player who may be blocking you. When watching film you are looking for your opponents weaknesses and how you can exploit that to your advantage. 

Watching film helps to give you an edge on your opponents. Study all the details you feel can allow you to play fast and put your team in the best position to win. For those who would like assistance with how to properly watch film, you can sign up for  “Perfect Performance Virtual Hudl Review.” Our Virtual Hudl Film Review will be a 45 Minutes session via Zoom for High School Football Players to review their game film with Perfect Performance Coaches. These sessions will be used to assess strengths and weaknesses of the athlete and our Coaches will provide feedback for them to improve their game. Additionally, our coaches will use their knowledge of recruiting to help identify key plays for athletes to include in their highlight film to send to colleges. If interested, view the link below. 
Virtual Football School | PP NOVA | Northern Virginia

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