Don’t mind screen time?
Video analysts spend their days breaking down film, tagging clips, and helping coaches and players prepare through video.
It’s one of the fastest-growing behind-the-scenes roles in sports and a common entry point into performance and coaching environments.
What the Job Looks Like Day to Day
Video analysts help teams study performance through film and data.
Most of the work revolves around recording, organizing, and reviewing footage from games and training sessions.
At a high level, that can include:
- Filming games and practices
- Tagging and organizing clips using analysis software
- Creating playlists and reports for coaches and players
- Breaking down opponents and tactical patterns
- Live in-game feedback provided to coaches
- Supporting post-game review sessions
- Managing video equipment and footage archives
The role is detail-heavy and requires a strong understanding of both the sport and the technology being used.
Watch: The role of video analysis from Notts County FC, an English football club:
Watch: A Day in the Life of a Performance Analyst at Havant & Waterlooville Football Club, an English soccer team:
If you watch closely, a few things stand out pretty quickly.
A lot of the work happens away from the spotlight. Analysts spend hours reviewing footage, organizing clips, and preparing information for coaches and players.
Attention to detail matters a lot too. Small moments in film can completely change how a team prepares for an opponent or reviews performance after a game.
The role also combines technical skills with communication. Analysts need to understand the sport, but they also need to present information clearly and efficiently.
You’ll also notice how much time is spent working independently. A large part of the role involves reviewing footage, tagging clips, and preparing analysis on tight deadlines.
And like many behind-the-scenes roles in sports, consistency matters. Coaches depend on analysts to deliver accurate information quickly, especially during busy schedules.
How to Become a Video Analyst in Sports
Most people don’t start in full-time analyst roles right away.
A path into video analysis may look something like this:
- Filming games or practices for a school, club, or local team
- Learning video analysis software and editing tools
- Helping coaches organize clips and post-game review sessions
- Getting a video, analytics, or performance internship with a team
- Building experience breaking down game film consistently over time
- Starting out with a coaching background
When searching for opportunities, use terms like:
- Video analyst
- Performance analyst
- Soccer analyst
- Football analyst
- Video coordinator
- Performance analysis intern
These roles can be found across:
- College athletic departments
- Professional sports teams
- Academies and training environments
- Minor league and youth clubs
You don’t need to be a former athlete to get started here.
What actually helps is understanding the sport, being comfortable with technology, and showing you can stay organized while working on tight deadlines.
Things to Know Before You Pursue This Path
Video analysis can be rewarding, but it also comes with challenges that students do not always expect.
A few common challenges include:
- Long hours reviewing and tagging film
- Heavy screen time during busy stretches of the season
- Tight turnaround deadlines after games and training sessions
- Repetitive editing and organizational work
- Pressure to deliver accurate information quickly for coaches and players
A lot of the work also happens behind the scenes. Analysts may spend hours preparing clips and reports that never become visible to fans, but still play an important role in how teams prepare and perform.
Looking for roles like this?
We track video, analytics, and performance internships every week for students trying to break into sports.
Explore current internships and roles at TheSportsIntern.com
