3 Best Soccer Cameras to Record Games and Trainings

You can’t fix what you can’t see. For any soccer player at any level or age group, recording soccer games is one of the most powerful tools for becoming a better player because it allows anyone to review game footage, analyze player performance, and gain valuable insights into what actually happened on the field versus what you remembered.

Whether you’re a coach who wants to analyze a team, a parent recording a kid’s game, or a player doing a deep dive into your own performance, having the right soccer camera system helps capture all the action. The problem is that most teams and individuals rely on shaky phone videos shot from terrible camera angles that miss key moments, but there’s a better way to capture professional-quality footage without needing a dedicated camera operator.

As a soccer player, trainer, sports coordinator, and someone who has been around the game for 10+ years, I’ve used all types of cameras to record soccer games, from a handheld device to a more modern AI soccer camera system. Below, I’ll cover the best soccer cameras, one of the most important parts of a player’s soccer gear and equipment, across different price points, as well as highlight some of their key features.

What are the best camera options for soccer players to record games?

Best Tracking Soccer Video Camera: Veo

The Veo Tracking Camera stands out as the best soccer camera to record games and training sessions with its advanced AI technology that automatically tracks the full game, and allows coaches and players to review game footage, create individual highlights, and gain valuable insights through Veo Analytics. With just a few touches, as well as by signing up for one of their subscriptions, users can connect the camera to their phone through the Veo Camera App, available for both iOS and Android.

Once connected, mounting the camera on a tripod or stadium mount is all it takes to record all the action.

Best Lower Priced Tracking Soccer Video Camera: Trace

The Trace camera is cheaper, but similar to the Veo camera, and has cutting-edge AI technology that can automatically record and edit individual player highlights. With this camera, you will also need a subscription to watch the games back and access Trace’s standout feature, Trace iD, which provides a personalized profile for each team member with their own clips, stats, and individual highlights automatically compiled after every match.

Alternative Options: iPhone recording

If you do not have a fancy tracking camera like the ones above, and you’re on a budget, then one of the most convenient ways to record a soccer game is with your phone, since you probably already have one. If you already have a newer smartphone with a high-quality camera, you can capture solid game footage without spending extra money on specialized accessories.

However, there are some things to consider if you want to use your phone for recording soccer games.

• Before you start recording, make sure your phone has enough room and storage
• Record game from a high point, ideally from the sidelines instead of end lines
• Bring a tripod for the phone, or invest in an XBOT GO, which is a Smart Auto-Tracking Cameraman for your sports team that requires a phone
• Make time to edit and/or review the footage afterwards
• Charge your phone beforehand and bring an extra portable charger just in case
• Use EMF protection products for your phone, like an EMF protection case, to reduce radiation exposure during long recording sessions

Alternative Options: Go Pro

Another good alternative for a soccer tracking camera is a GoPro because it’s portable, weather-resistant, and delivers excellent video quality with built-in image stabilization to reduce shakiness while recording. If you are playing in a pickup game or any type of unofficial game, you can even wear the GoPro while you play to get a first-person view.

Alternative Options: Sony HDRCX45 Handy Cam

The final option on this list, which will be the cheapest, is investing in a classic handheld camera that will require someone to manually record the game from the sidelines. While it doesn’t have advanced tracking features, it’s still a reliable and budget-friendly option that allows you to capture full matches, review gameplay, and analyze your soccer performance or team tactics after each game.

Final Thoughts

In the modern day, recording soccer games is no longer optional because of how essential it is for improving soccer performance, analyzing training sessions, and tracking overall development. Consistently reviewing game footage helps identify strengths, weaknesses, and decision-making patterns, giving players, coaches, and teams a major advantage when it comes to growth, recruitment, and achieving long-term success on the field.

FAQs

What is the best camera to record soccer games?

The best soccer camera to record games will be a soccer camera system that automatically tracks and records players, such as the Trace Camera or the Veo Camera. Handheld options will be much cheaper, such as your phone, GoPro, or any other Handheld video recorder, but will have fewer features.

Why do soccer players need to record soccer games and training sessions to improve faster?

Recording soccer games and training sessions reveals the gap between what you think happened compared to what actually happened, which allows players to assess performance, identify positioning mistakes, and make smarter tactical adjustments during future training sessions and matches. Reviewing footage also helps players improve and track progress on specific soccer skills, such as soccer IQ, decision making, awareness, composure, first touch, passing, dribbling, shooting, and defending, and tests and assessments, such as those for balance, speed, agility, and stamina.