Before watching: define the review
Write down the player, position, match and one question. Confirm that the video opens and that the player can be identified. If the match is split into files, label the halves or periods so timestamps remain useful.
Use this preparation checklist:
- The player knows the question being explored.
- Relevant role instructions are recorded where known.
- The recording is clear enough for the chosen question.
- Missing periods or camera limitations are noted.
- There is a simple place to record timestamps and one final focus.
These checks should support a short, purposeful review. Do not let preparation become an elaborate administrative task that discourages the player from participating.
For each clip: preserve the context
Begin before the key action and continue afterward. Check the nearest opponents, supporting teammates and the phase of play. Ask whether the camera actually shows the information needed to evaluate the decision.
A hypothetical clip may show a midfielder losing possession while turning, but begin too late to show the approach of the defender. In that case, you can discuss the visible touch while remaining uncertain about preparation. The checklist should reveal this limitation, not pressure you to complete every category with a confident answer.
At the decision: separate the questions
Use a small set of prompts rather than a stream of corrections:
Swipe across to view the full table →
| Check | Question |
|---|---|
| Information | What was available to notice before the action? |
| Options | Which choices were realistic in this situation? |
| Intention | What was the player trying to achieve? |
| Execution | How accurately was the chosen action performed? |
| Aftermath | What responsibility followed the action? |
Ask the player for their interpretation before settling on yours. An unsuccessful result may come from execution, a good opponent response or an option that changed quickly. The table keeps those possibilities separate long enough to discuss them.
Across clips: test the pattern
Check whether the same issue appears in comparable situations. Include at least one useful action where possible and look for a clip that challenges the first conclusion. If you think the player always receives without support, search for a moment when support was available and ask what changed.
Do not combine unrelated actions simply because they ended in lost possession. A risky pass near the opponent's goal and a miscontrol in a deep area may require different conversations. Record the conditions that make the examples comparable, and treat a small sample as a starting point rather than proof of a permanent weakness.
Before finishing: choose and explain the next step
Ask the player to describe one focus, when it applies and what they will look for next time. Write it in a sentence. If the player cannot explain the reason behind the cue, return to a clear example instead of adding more instructions.
Keep the completed checklist as a navigation aid for the next review. You do not need a grade for every item or a perfect answer to every question. Its purpose is to protect the quality of the conversation: enough context, a fair interpretation and one practical action that can be revisited in actual play.
Use our guide to analyzing your soccer game film to turn the review into a repeatable routine.
Key takeaways
- Use the checklist to organize a question, not to grade the whole player.
- Keep information, intention, options and execution separate.
- Finish only after the player can explain the next focus.
Frequently asked questions
Can this checklist work with a few clips?
Yes, as long as you recognize the limits of the selection. A few clips can explore a specific question but may not represent the full match. Record what is missing and avoid broad claims about consistency based on a narrow sample.
Should we complete every checklist item for every clip?
No. Use the parts relevant to the question and visible footage. Forcing an answer where the camera lacks context can create false certainty. A checklist is useful when it improves thinking, not when it becomes a requirement to fill every box.
How do we know the review is finished?
A practical stopping point is when the player can explain the main observation, identify one action to try and describe when it applies. More clips are not always necessary. Leave unrelated questions for another review if they remain important.
Sources and further reading
- FIFA: Scales of the game: Separate information gathering from decision execution.