What Evaluators Look for on Football Film

The Result Is Only Part of the Play

Football film evaluation goes deeper than touchdowns, sacks, interceptions, tackles, or pancakes.

The result matters, but an evaluator is also looking at how the athlete helped create that result.

That means paying attention to movement, technique, processing, timing, physical traits, and positional responsibility throughout the rep.

A productive play can show much more than a statistic.

Position Specific Traits Matter

Different positions require different traits.

A running back may be evaluated for vision, patience, burst, balance, change of direction, contact strength, and ball security.

A wide receiver may show release quickness, route pacing, separation, body control, ball skills, and awareness of space.

A linebacker may show recognition, gap responsibility, pursuit angles, lateral movement, closing ability, and physicality.

An offensive lineman may show leverage, hand placement, footwork, balance, functional strength, and the ability to sustain or recover during a block.

There is no single checklist that applies equally to every athlete.

The position and responsibility of the player matter.

Processing Shows Up on Film

Physical ability can stand out quickly, but football also requires athletes to process what is happening around them.

An evaluator may look at:

• Pre snap awareness

• Reaction after the snap

• Recognition of blocking or route concepts

• Decision making

• Timing

• Adjustment when the original play changes

An athlete does not always need to make the final play to show good processing.

Sometimes being in the correct position or forcing the play toward help is the important part of the rep.

Technique Helps Explain the Athlete

Technique can show how efficiently an athlete uses his physical ability.

Depending on the position, that might include:

• Footwork

• Hand placement

• Pad level

• Leverage

• Hip movement

• Route detail

• Tackling mechanics

• Ball security

• Block engagement

• Coverage transitions

Technique does not need to be perfect for a rep to be useful.

Film can show both what an athlete currently does well and where development may help.

Movement and Physical Traits Matter

Film can also reveal athletic and physical qualities.

Evaluators may notice:

• Initial burst

• Acceleration

• Lateral quickness

• Change of direction

• Balance

• Body control

• Range

• Functional strength

• Ability to play through contact

The important question is not simply whether an athlete looks athletic.

It is how that athletic ability translates to the position.

Consistency Builds the Evaluation

One strong play can show that an athlete is capable of something.

Seeing the same quality across multiple reps gives the evaluator more confidence that it is a consistent part of the athlete’s game.

The same applies to developmental areas.

Film evaluation is strongest when conclusions come from patterns on tape rather than one isolated rep.

What SAS Looks For

SAS film evaluations focus on the details behind the play.

Kyle looks for the position specific traits, technique, processing, movement, physical qualities, and developmental areas that consistently appear on film.

Depending on the evaluation, those observations may become part of the athlete’s written evaluation, film observations, developmental direction, Athlete Spotlight, and supporting SAS materials.

The goal is not to create hype around every play.

It is to provide a clearer understanding of what the athlete is actually showing on film.