How to Use the Futsal Video Analysis Tool
The Video Analysis tool is a free solution for indexing and reviewing actions directly on match footage. No installation required — it runs in any browser on your phone, tablet or computer, and all data is saved automatically on your device.
Loading a Video
You can load a video in two ways: paste a YouTube link into the URL field and click Load, or select a local file from your device. The tool automatically remembers the last local video used, even after a page refresh. Videos longer than one hour are fully supported.
Initial Setup: Athletes and Categories
Before logging actions, go to the Athletes tab to add squad members with shirt numbers and optional photos. Then head to Categories to create the action types you want to index — for example: Shots, Passes, Set Pieces. For each category, define specific actions and set whether they are individual (linked to a player) or collective. You can also import categories and players directly from an Action Stats Tracker export.
Logging Actions on the Timeline
While the video is playing, click the Record Action button at the exact moment the action occurs — the timestamp is captured automatically. You can manually adjust the start and end time in MM:SS or HH:MM:SS format. Then select the category, the specific action and, for individual actions, the associated player. You can also add a note. Each action is saved in the timeline with its timestamp and can be edited or deleted at any time.
Navigating the Timeline
Click any timeline entry to jump the video to that exact moment. Use the filters (category, action, player) to focus your review on a specific variable. You can control how many entries appear per page (5, 10, 15 or all), and the list is sorted newest first.
Analysis Sessions
Organise your records into sessions: select an existing training or match session, or create a free session with a custom name and date. Sessions are stored locally and included in the exported file.
Exporting and Importing Data
Use the Export function to save all your data — athletes, categories, sessions and timeline records — as a data file. This file can be imported on another device or shared with other coaching staff. The format is fully compatible with all other SportsLabTools futsal tools.
Sync Data Between Tools
Each tool stores its data on your device. If you created or changed data (players, opponents, competitions, games, call-ups and venues) in another SportsLabTools futsal tool, press Sync data, next to Export, to bring it in here — no need to export and import files. New items are added, changed items take the most recent version and items you deleted in another tool are removed. Data that belongs only to this tool is not affected.
Action Types and Categories
The tool supports fully customisable categories and actions. Typical examples in futsal video analysis:
- Shots — Shot on Target, Shot Wide, Blocked Shot (individual)
- Offensive Organisation — Positional Attack, Offensive Transition, Pivot Play (collective)
- Defensive Organisation — High Press, Mid Block, Defensive Recovery (collective)
- Set Pieces — Corner, Direct Free-kick, Penalty (individual or collective)
- Individual Errors — Ball Loss, Unnecessary Foul, Poor Decision (individual)
Create as many categories and actions as you need and assign distinct colours to each category for easy visual reading of the timeline.
Futsal-Specific Categories: Line Rotations and Set Pieces
Futsal has dynamics that don't exist in 11-a-side football and are worth isolating as their own categories: line (quarteto) rotations, breaking individual-marking pressure, and 5-a-side power-play situations with a flying goalkeeper. Create a Line category to link each action to the group of four players on court at that moment — useful for comparing performance across rotations. Also log accumulated fouls per half, since from the sixth foul onward the opponent gets a direct free-kick from the second penalty spot, and reviewing these moments on video helps you see if the team is committing unnecessary fouls in dangerous zones.
- Power Play — Goal with Flying Goalkeeper, Turnover in Power Play (collective)
- Combinations — Screen Play, Pivot-Wing One-Two, Wing Overlap Run (individual or collective)
- Accumulated Fouls — Foul From the 6th Onward, Direct Free-kick Conceded (individual)
Tips for Coaches and Analysts
- Use this tool alongside the Action Stats Tracker — import the same data file into both tools to keep categories, athletes and sessions in sync.
- Log both the start and end of each action to review the full context of the play without having to search the video manually.
- Filter the timeline by player to prepare an individual report focused on a specific athlete — ideal for personalised feedback or opponent scouting.
- Use free sessions for training videos or games without a formal call-up, keeping everything organised in a single database.
- Export your data after each analysis session for a backup and to share with the rest of the coaching staff.
- For YouTube videos, paste the public URL directly — no need to download the file.
💡 Log live, review on video. The Futsal Action Stats Tracker → is the perfect complement — use it during the match to log actions in real time with field heatmaps, then combine both exports to cross-reference tactical data with match footage.
Related Articles
Go deeper with these articles from our blog: Futsal Video Analysis: What to Clip and Show Your Players on Monday and How to Identify Your Next Opponent's Attack Patterns in Futsal (Practical Scouting).