[cford]

Our association purchased a video camera last season for this very purpose. (Thanks to my constant pushing to get one ) We are currently video taping in 3 different gyms during summer varsity boys leagues that we are using for training.

Last Season's Video Taping Process

1) Assigner schedules me (Training Director) in as many "Split Crew" assignments as possible.

"Split Crew" means that there is 1 JV game and 2 varsity games that night. We assign 2 officials for the 1st JV game and then have 2 more officials come in for the last 2 varsity games. One official sits during the 2nd game and then that official works the 3rd game. This ensures that everyone only works 2 games that night. It is a great way to give officials the chance to work varsity level games when they are not yet "full varsity" officials.

2) I would go early and set up the camera, tripod, etc.

IMO the best location is at the division line behind the scorer's table at the top of the bleachers. You want to be high enough so that players don't imped your view (straight-lined ) and behind the table you can see the official reporting. (I will only set up the camera on a level sturdy area. Never in the bleachers or seats unless I am manning it the whole time.)

3) The 1st official that sits records the game and then the other records the other game.

4) I take the camera home and upload it to my computer and then render the video to a format that allows it to be put on a DVD or a format that is good for uploading it to the internet.

Last year I started by burning them to DVDs but then it would take a couple of days to actually get the disc to the official so I changed to uploading a smaller file to an online storage company and emailing them the link where they can download the game. That was nice b/c you could email the link to the assigner or someone else if something happened that they needed to see.

Pros

* No added costs to paying someone to video tape or finding someone to go to a game and record the game. Basically if they wanted themselves taped then they had to commit to video taping game.

* 4 officials would get recorded per night.

Cons

* It puts a lot of work on the person that takes the video camera with him/her to each game. Have to carry all that equipment in plus referee bag. (This is from experience)

* Equipment is out there for someone to steal, knock over, etc. while the officials are in the locker room.

* Officials don't get their game film right away.

* No voice over from an evaluator for the less experienced official which would help them with breaking down their film better.

* You have to give explanations on how to use the camcorder and other tips to each official through out the season. Taking away time from the pregame. (There were sometimes where they thought it was recording and it wasn't.)

Equipment

* Canon HV30

Format: MiniDV tapes (only 60 minutes per tape) Looking back it might have been better with a different format. (But this year it shouldn't be an issue.)

Records the games in High Definition (it is a GREAT picture on a large screen tv!)

* Tripod....Get a good sturdy one because there is a good chance of it getting bumped.

* Wide Angle Lens....Highly recommended so that you can see all the officials even if you have to sit close to the court.

* Lavaliere Microphone (I haven't purchased yet)

* Much more you can buy but nothing that you must have. I will go over more of this if someone is interested.

I will write out my new plans for this season later. (It takes care of most of the cons above)