November 6, 2026 · Football Strategy

How to Analyse Football Match Footage in Three Passes

Use a three-pass football video analysis workflow to identify team shape, explain recurring patterns and turn match footage into a coaching priority.

Pitch diagram illustrating team shape, a wide trigger and the next coaching cue

First pass: map the shapes

Pick one team and watch its goal kicks, settled possession and defending. Note the starting shape in each phase. A winger high in build-up may drop into the midfield line out of possession. Record the changes before deciding whether they worked.

Second pass: follow one pattern

Choose a recurring moment, such as the opposition escaping pressure down one flank. Record the pass that starts it, who presses, who covers and where the next receiver appears. Compare successful and unsuccessful examples before assigning blame.

Third pass: choose one action

Find one clip that clearly shows the problem and one that shows a better response. Turn the comparison into a cue the team can rehearse. For example, ask the near midfielder to screen the inside pass as the winger closes. Check for that behaviour in the next match.

Put it into practice

Use an angle that shows players away from the ball where possible. If the recording cuts off the far side, mark that part of your explanation as unknown and use the clip to show only the decisions you can see.

How to Analyse Football Match Footage in Three Passes

First pass: map the shapes

Second pass: follow one pattern

Third pass: choose one action

Put it into practice

Further reading