GEAR

My setup at the pitch.
That's all it takes.

This is how I film our matches for MatchReel. I bought everything here myself and use it on match day. None of it is required: MatchReel works with any regular phone recording.

Advertising: Links marked with an asterisk (*) are affiliate links to Amazon.de (Germany). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through such a link, I get a small commission. The price stays the same for you.
Two iPhones in landscape on a dual bracket above a tripod at the edge of a football pitch, both recording. 1 2 3

Two iPhones, one tripod. Each camera covers one half of the pitch. MatchReel matches both recordings to the right minute automatically, and in the editor you pick the better angle for every scene.

ON MATCH DAY

What it looks like at the pitch.

THE GEAR

What I actually use.

iPhone in landscape held magnetically by a silver aluminium mount sitting in a red cold shoe adapter.
1Mount

Magnetic phone mount with cold shoe

BRDRC · for iPhones with MagSafe

The iPhone simply snaps on magnetically, no clamp. Before kick-off that means: phone on, hit record, done. And with no clamp over the edge, the screen and buttons stay free.

  • 1/4-inch thread at the bottom for any tripod, plus a cold shoe foot for brackets and adapters
  • Portrait and landscape, I always film in landscape
  • Aluminium, very light, fits in any jacket pocket
  • For two cameras on the dual bracket I use two of them

Without MagSafe or with a thick case you need a magnetic case or a stick-on magnetic ring.

View on Amazon.de* * Affiliate link
Black crossbar on a tripod head with a red cold shoe adapter, magnetic mount and iPhone on each end.
2Dual bracket

Dual flash bracket, 20 cm

Aluminium · two cold shoes · 1/4 and 3/8 inch thread

With the bracket, two iPhones film from the same tripod. It screws onto the tripod thread in the middle, with a magnetic mount on each end. I point each iPhone at one half of the pitch, so every goal is caught up close.

  • One tripod instead of two: quicker to set up, less to carry
  • Both cold shoes slide along the bar, so you choose the gap between the iPhones
  • For the dual setup you need two of the magnetic mounts
  • MatchReel syncs both recordings automatically
View on Amazon.de* * Affiliate link
The tripod at full height at the edge of the pitch, the double rail with two iPhones on top and a power bank on one leg.
3Tripod

Cullmann Alpha 2800 Mobile

Travel tripod up to 184.5 cm · with smartphone holder

The whole setup sits on this. Extended to full height, the camera looks over the players onto the pitch, and that beats any lens. Folded, it is short enough for the car boot or a kit bag.

  • Up to 184.5 cm tall, down to 67.5 cm
  • 3-way head with quick release, legs with quick-lock clamps
  • 70 cm folded, about 1.3 kg, bag and smartphone holder included

On my setup the dual bracket sits on top of the tripod head, with the two magnetic mounts on it.

View on Amazon.de* * Affiliate link
WHAT MATTERS

Four things that make the difference at the pitch.

High and steady

The higher the camera, the more of the pitch you see. A tripod at full height or a spot on the railing beats any expensive lens.

Power for 90 minutes

A full match drains a lot of battery. A power bank on the tripod and a cable without tension keep the recording safe until the final whistle.

No calls in between

Airplane mode or a Focus like Do Not Disturb before kick-off makes sure nothing interrupts the recording.

Check storage first

A full match in 4K can take up about 40 GB at 60 fps, or about 20 GB at 30 fps. Check your free storage before the match. Afterwards, "Complete match" in MatchReel helps you clean up.

Camera set? Let's go.

Tap goals on your Apple Watch or iPhone, and MatchReel cuts a broadcast-style highlight reel.

Download on the App Store