How to film a football match on your phone for AI stats and highlights
AI match analysis can only count what the camera sees. A goal that happens out of frame is a goal nobody gets credit for. The good news is that a phone is enough, as long as you set it up properly before kick-off.
The short version
- Film in landscape, never portrait.
- Mount the phone. Do not hold it.
- Get it high, near the halfway line.
- Keep both goals and all four corners in frame.
- Record the whole match in one take if you can.
- Check your battery and storage before kick-off.
Position: high and central
The best spot is level with the halfway line, as high as you can safely get it. Height matters more than distance: from above, players overlap less, the ball is easier to follow, and the far side of the pitch is not squashed into a thin strip.
For 5-a-side and other small-sided pitches, a tripod or clamp on the fence or a raised stand near halfway usually works. For a full-size pitch, look for a stand, a balcony, or a telescopic pole mount.
Framing: the whole pitch, all the time
Zoom out until both goals and all four corners are in shot, with a little margin. It will feel too wide. That is fine: the analysis needs the whole pitch more than it needs close-ups.
Do not pan or zoom during the match. A fixed camera keeps every player in view and gives the AI a stable picture to track from. Leave the camera still.
Settings that help
- Resolution: 1080p is plenty. 4K produces huge files that take longer to upload without much gain.
- Frame rate: 30 or 60 fps both work. Higher is better for fast moments like shots.
- Turn on airplane mode or do-not-disturb so a call does not stop the recording.
- If you play under floodlights, check the picture before kick-off. Avoid pointing the camera straight into a light.
Common mistakes that cost you stats
- Filming from behind one goal. The far end of the pitch becomes unreadable.
- Portrait video. Half the pitch is cut off.
- Holding the phone. Your arms get tired, the picture drifts, and moments are missed.
- Stopping and starting. Gaps in the recording are gaps in the stats.
- A fence or net right in front of the lens. Move the camera so the mesh is not in focus.
After the match
Upload the full MP4 to Statbox. AI video analysis drafts the stats and highlights, a Statbox analyst reviews the game, and every player gets their stats and their clip in the app. If your venue already has Statbox cameras, you can skip all of this and just play.