How To Break Down a Football Film

Step-by-step Instructions

Here is what you need to do...
Step 1

Step one is to find a professional player that is your position and has the same style of play. DVR or look for DVDs of that player. Watch closely at things they do that will help your game. Little stutter steps or where their eyes are downfield. The more information you can get from the tape the more things you can start to add to your own game.

Step 2

Step two is to watch footage of yourself. It can be game footage or a friend taping you practice at a park. Look for things you are trying to do on the field. Also look for weaknesses and compare them to the player you have been watching. You will start to get an idea of what moves feel like while playing and how they can look different on tape. This will help you improve all aspects of your game.

Step 3

Step three is to watch footage of your opponent. Look at some common tendencies they may have. Do they always start right anticipate the snap count or always bite on a pump fake These things can be the key to making a big play on the field. The goal is to know how they will react before you even step onto the field.

Special Attention

Difficulties people often experience or parts that need special attention to do it right.

Watching tape can seem tedious and time consuming at first. Try to schedule blocks of time that way you wont have to sit through hours at once. Remember that your opponent will be doing the same thing so don't think you can just skip ahead and always win. The best players in the NFL are the ones in the film room breaking down strengths and weaknesses week in and week out.

Stuff You'll Need

Suggested Further Reading

This Student Author

This Student Author's Background

Funny or interesting story about this topic...

In high school while watching film, my coach thought it would be funny to keep replaying a kickoff where I get crushed. I can tell you the team thought it was hilarious as a linebacker caught me in the chest and my legs flipped up in the air. Every replay I could feel the pain of that play. Needless to say, whenever I was covering kickoffs I knew if anybody was heading my way from either side

When did you first do this & how did you get started?

I got started in high school. The day after games we would watch tape of the game and out position coaches would give us grades based on performance. It would help pinpoint what I was doing well and what I needed to keep working on. In the beginning of the week we would watch tape of our opponents so we knew what was coming on Friday. It helped mold practice based on what style of play our opponent would be using.

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