With the technology available to us nowadays it’s extremely easy to capture video and images. Mobiles and Tablets are playing an increasingly bigger role in sports to help develop player technique in their chosen field.

There are many apps available across the various platforms to help record and edit footage into bite size clips which allow you to instantly analyse and make adjustments on player technique, etc. I am an Apple guy myself so I use my iPhone, iPad and Mac frequently for watching and editing video and there are also several options available across Android and Window devices.

I just wanted to talk a bit about a couple of Apps that I have come across recently and some of their features which can help to quickly edit video and analyse performance. Unfortunately I don’t use an Android or Window based device, but here are two Apps from what I’ve found online if you don’t use Apple devices.

Android

Vidtrim – A simple editing tool for small clips, to import and trim footage – available for free, or £2.45 for full feature version. Not as advanced as what iMovie can offer but will do a basic job for simple, short videos.

Windows

Movie Edit Touch – Similar to iMovie, a good video editing App that allows you to make easy cuts and add in transitions and text. Also exports in HD for good, clear footage. Probably the closest competitor to iMovie on a Windows supported device available for £1.69.

Apple

By just doing a search on the App Store I came across several Coaching Apps that offer a range of options from just using your iPad as a whiteboard to make notes and tactical diagrams, to importing short videos that can instantly show a players performance.

Depending on what you’re after it is always best to look around and find an App that best suits your needs. Several Apps offer a free ‘Light’ version that can give you a taster and if you like what you get you can upgrade to the full version for a small fee.

There are many ‘Coaches Boards’ that are available and feature customisable pitch diagrams of your chosen sport, which you can then annotate over to emphasise tactical points. I have two Apps on my iPad that I find useful; ‘TacticsBoard & CoachNote’. Both Apps work in a similar way and allow you to annotate over a field from your chosen sport, from Rugby to Football, Ice Hockey, Basketball, etc. You can add markers or just annotate using the Pen to emphasise a point to your team.

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Coachnote iPad App Screenshot

‍You don’t always have to carry around a camcorder device to get decent clips to use for analysis purposes. An iPad is a great tool to use to capture short clips, for example during a training session, and allows you to play it back instantly on a decent size screen without the need to otherwise connect your camera to a computer, import the footage and then show to your players.

You can set up a Tablet device to record short clips such as a Golf Swing, Tennis serve, placekick, etc and then show that clip straight away to your player and then package up later and send via the Cloud/E-mail, etc.

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There are also Tripod mounts available from online retailers such as Amazon.co.uk that will allow you to set up your Tablet device to have the stability of a tripod when you’re recording. Depending on how much you are likely to use you tablet to record footage it may be a useful option, but a steady hand will be fine for short clips.

When it comes to recording and editing videos on you iPad a great App to use is iMovie, which is designed and created by Apple and so works efficiently on all iOS devices.

iMovie for iPad

‍From opening the App you can get to work straight away by creating a new project and then either recording your footage or importing existing videos and still images from your device.

Once you have your clip on the time line simply tap it and you will have options to add titles, adjust the speed, split the clip, add a freeze frame and duplicate a selected clip. From a simple App you have several excellent features available that will allow you to analyse and package a video together to make for a great coaching tool.

You also have several audio options available, including adding your own voice-over to a clip, which can come in handy, and if you wish you can also add in music tracks.

As well as video you can also take still images and add them into your project and place them wherever you like in the time line to go along with your moving images.

Once you are happy with your video file you can easily share it, either direct to your iPad or via social media such as YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo and also e-mail.

If you haven’t used iMovie on the iPad before, you can easily get to grips with the App and after no time you will be putting together great mini packages that can benefit you and your players and with the many sharing options you can export quickly and upload to the Coach Logic site to share with your team.

iMovie iPad Screenshot

iMovie is of course available direct from the App store for just £2.99, and I would highly recommend giving it a try and start putting together some great videos.

As well as your standard video editing Apps, there are also a range of Coaching Specific Video Apps which allows you to record footage and then playback, slow down and annotate, etc. There are quite a few options in the App Store, ranging from free Apps to some in the £2-3 price range. A couple that I have come across include: ‘Coach’s Eye’ and ‘Ubersense Coach’. They are two similar Apps allowing for detailed analysis for short clips, ideal for looking at finer details such as with Tennis Serves, Golf Swing, etc. You have the ability to share via the usual outlets such as Facebook, YouTube, E-mail, etc.

Again, depending on your specific needs you may want to look around and see which App best suits your needs. If you can, try a Free version first to get a look at the App and see how well it works and if you like you can upgrade to the paid version later.

‍Your iPad and other Tablet devices aren’t just good for capturing moments with the friends and family, they can also be used to help develop sportsmen and women in their chosen field thanks to the great range of Apps available it’s never been easier to capture, analyse and export simple, but effective videos!

Written By Jonathan Fowke of JPF Sports Media

Jonathan is a Sports Videographer who has a vast amount of experience. He currently works as the 'Media Man' for the Royal Engineers rugby team but has also worked for Samurai International and London Wasps RFC.