As technology continues to become more and more complex, the world of sports is seeing some changes. Not only does technology allow for sports to be broadcasted worldwide and to have access to events whenever and wherever, but improved technology can also aid teams and give them a competitive advantage in games or matches. Specifically, the ability to scout and view opponents’ tendencies before actually matching up against them.

Less than twenty years ago, in order to view opponents’ game films, coaches would have to contact each other, find a time and place to meet up, and physically exchange VHS tapes and DVDs of their game films. Now, this process is obsolete and can be done with the click of a button. Coaches now record their film with high-tech cameras or contraptions, upload it to websites such as Hudl, and send it to the opposing coaches, all from the comfort of their home or office. With the advanced technology available today, this process is extremely easy. Coaches can then watch the film they have been given, make comments for all to see, and share it with all players and coaches within the entire program.

Here at FHC, scouting is a highly critical and crucial part of several sports. Watching an opponent’s game film is a weekly, and sometimes daily occurrence. This helps both athletes and coaches become more prepared come game time.

Levi Mckenzie is a senior on the basketball team, and he is looking to have a breakout season. He hopes that watching film will help him achieve this.  Levi says that he watches film “before every game and it is absolutely a very important part of my game.”

Ty Hudkins, a junior on the football team, says, “Film really gives me a huge edge against my opponents.”

Hudkins told me that the football team has weekly film sessions; within these sessions, players and coaches watch practice film of themselves as well as game film from their opponents. He also said that he is constantly watching film on his own time outside of practice. With the use of media platforms such as Hudl, Ty and his teammates have the ability to view anything they need 24/7 from any device.

Because film is so prevalent in today’s sports, it is safe to say that the games would not be the same without it. Junior Avery Weslow, a starter on the volleyball team, agrees with this statement. She loves to use film as a scouting mechanism and a way to improve her team’s chances.

“I think our games would have been different because we wouldn’t know the other team’s strengths and weaknesses early on, and this could have cost us some points,” says Avery.

Unfortunately, using this technology and media platforms while watching film does not give our teams a guaranteed victory. Without film, Ranger teams would have to adjust on the fly and learn about the other team as the game or match progressed. Watching film prior to the competition enables our athletes to properly prepare themselves. Watching film can help point out the strengths of the other team, but more importantly, the flaws and tendencies in order to see areas where our teams here at FHC can capitalize and hopefully bring home the win.

At Forest Hills Central, we pride ourselves on the success of our sporting teams. With the improvements of watching scout and game film, there is no doubt that advancements in media can only help build that pride.