You do not need a match-day camera setup to record a useful training clip. You need a stable phone, a view of the whole drill and a clear idea of what you want to review.
This guide is for recording individual football training, including cone drills. It is a manual filming checklist you can use now. It is not a set of confirmed camera requirements for Marcr AI, which is still in development.
1. Decide what the clip needs to show
Choose one question before positioning the camera. Are you looking at ball control, the turn around a cone, or the route through the whole drill? A wide view can show the route but may hide detail at the foot. A closer view can show a touch but lose the start and finish.
For a cone drill, begin with a view that includes the player, ball, all markers and room beyond the final cone. If you need a close-up, record it as a separate clip rather than moving the phone halfway through a run.
2. Position the phone outside the training area
Use a stable tripod or secure mount on firm ground. Keep it outside the route, waiting area and run-off space.
Start in landscape orientation for a wide drill. Use portrait only when it still captures everything needed or a receiving service specifically requires it.
Position the phone far enough back to keep the player’s head and feet visible throughout the run. There is no single distance that fits every phone and drill.
A slight diagonal view can separate cones that overlap from directly in front. Walk the route and check the screen before training.
Try to keep strong light behind or to the side of the camera rather than directly behind the player. Clean the lens.
3. Make a ten-second test clip
Walk to the nearest and furthest parts of the drill, then move through the turn. Play the test back. Do not rely on how the view looked while you were standing beside the phone.
Check these five things:
Can you see the full player, including the feet, everywhere in the drill?
Can you distinguish the ball and each cone?
Are the start, finish and turning points visible?
Does the picture stay steady and clear during movement?
Is the phone safely outside any likely path of the player or ball?
For ordinary coaching review, start with a normal video mode such as 1080p if your phone offers it. A higher frame rate may help when reviewing fast movement, but needs enough light and can create larger files. Check the receiving service’s requirements before changing settings or uploading.
4. Record a complete attempt
Start recording before the player moves and leave a few seconds at the end. Keep the camera in the same position between attempts. Record the cone distances, surface, direction and foot used in your training log.
If you want to compare times, define the start and finish events before recording. For example, use the first movement of the ball and the moment the ball crosses a marked finish line. Keep that definition consistent. Hand timing and video estimates are different methods, so label them rather than treating them as interchangeable.
5. Review one thing, then practise again
Watch once at normal speed. Choose one observation you can point to in the clip, such as a ball travelling beyond reach at the second turn. Write down the timestamp, the observation and one thing to try next. Avoid treating a single run as a complete assessment of the player.
Keep the original clip. Use a simple filename such as 2026-10-31_cone-weave_left_attempt-01. Before sharing, check who appears in the background and follow the club’s recording and consent process, particularly for children. A private coach review and a public post are different choices.
Before you press record
Battery and storage checked. Lens clean. Mount secure. Entire route visible. Test clip reviewed. Start and finish defined. Sharing permission checked.
Need a drill to film? Try the four-cone solo practice guide, or use the team session setup guide.
Where Marcr AI fits
Marcr AI is being built to help football players record drills, review performance and follow progress. Final features and supported devices are still being confirmed. See the current app and register for early access or a club trial.