Teddington goalie Joe Morgan’s video of a 2nd XI game vs East Grinstead has gone viral on YouTube – here is how he did it.
THE CAMERA
Joe used a Panasonic HX A100 wearable camcorder which retails somewhere under £300.
“The setup isn’t very high tech at all,” he says. “I used stick tape to attach the HD camera to my helmet.
“The camera itself is very small and lightweight with a cable connecting it to the control unit which sits on your arm with an arm band. It’s so small and light I barely notice it’s there.”
The control unit allows you to start and stop recording, take photos and also connect to an iPhone so you can see the action from your phone. The unit can also live-stream via WiFi.
THE FOOTAGE
If you aren’t used to a goalie’s eye view (in other words, if you are not a goalie) there is plenty to learn from the video.] Good (and bad) marking shows up well from this angle (so that’s why our goalie is always shouting at me then!) It’s also hard not to admire just how little time a goalie has to react.
Joe makes some cracking saves – he is an excellent keeper whose hockey CV includes winning the national U21 title with Buckinghamshire at 14, earning him a call-up into the South of England U21 side. He then played at Portsmouth University under ex-GB star Calum Giles who now coaches Teddington. Joe has also played for High Wycombe, Reading and Hampstead & Westminster.
From a coaching perspective it’s interesting to note Joe checks his position relative to the posts early on, as an attack is building. He then uses spatial awareness to maintain good position as the danger to his goal increases. Some ‘keepers either don’t check their position at all, or leave it too late when their brains should be occupied with what’s going on in front of them.
Joe says he only made the video “to test out the camera”, which he had only received from Panasonic a few days before. But, having seen the footage, he reckons there is plenty of potential there, and not just from the coaching angle – it could add value for sponsors and add to broadcast coverage.
“Creating this content and collaborating with sponsors helps strengthen the conversation between sponsors, the teams, the athletes and the fans – thus adding way more value to that team or players sponsorship.
“And using a bit of creativity to find new ways to broadcast hockey matches could create more interest in the sport.”
Follow @mrjoemorgan on Twitter
