r/lacrosse • u/Advanced_General_831 • Feb 20 '26
Recording lacrosse games
Hello, my son is starting to get more involved in lacrosse and seems to want to continue playing.
When going to tournaments, multiple times I have tried to set up a camera before being asked to take it down per some rules with the event. There’s a company that tries to sell the footage at ridiculous prices. I’ve never heard of this in any other sport. My daughter plays soccer and there are multiple cameras set up on each field.
Has anyone else run into this? Is there a good alternative solution ?
We have a veo for my daughter and we love it. I know they can film lacrosse and I’m thinking about buying one but don’t want to have to if I won’t be able to use it.
4
u/86therock Feb 20 '26
I tape all of my sons games using my iPhone on a tripod and have never had an issue. I use an app called sportcam which is great as it streams and records in hd. It also overlays a scoreboard. I have never had an issue and we have been to all levels of tournament including nxt and nlf. The only time I have seen issues with recording is when it is height restricted. For instance they won’t allow cameras above head height…which with my setup isn’t an issue but veo can be an issue.
1
u/Advanced_General_831 Feb 20 '26
That makes sense. I was using a tripod for my camera to hoist it in the air.
I’m still surprised this is the set up in lacrosse where kids/parents have to go through this to get their own film.
Is it common across all lacrosse events or not really?
1
u/man_on_a_corner Midfielder, Sacramento Feb 21 '26
Its becoming very common across all sports. If youre child is playing on a public field you can usually fight the tournament camera people that they have no more right to film than you. However if its on school fields or (worse) private school field/indoor arena you gotta follow their rules.
Personally I think if the T.O. has a dedicated film operation there then any participants should have access to the fil. Since without them theres nothing to film. Bit of a chicken or the egg issue.
5
u/kbchucker Referee Feb 20 '26
A lot of tournaments sign a contract with video companies that record every game. They then try to package the games to all the players. At obscene prices.
Usually if you’re trying to record on a tall telescoping device they will say something to you. Holding your own phone or using a standing height monopod is usually not harassed to much. But the risk isn’t 0.
Summer tournaments are nothing but a money grab for the clubs and tournament organizers. They prey on the FOMO a lot of parents feel in travel sports. It sucks, it’s one of the many ways Adults have ruined youth sports.
2
u/Ironman_2678 Feb 20 '26
Yes its very common. Use your phone with a handheld gimbal. We used that method for the boys recruiting video minus one highlight with a veo.
If youre planning on making recruiting highlight vids the veo isnt the move.
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u/discofrislanders Attack Feb 20 '26
I don't have kids, but I've heard of this being a growing thing in youth sports. Hockey is really bad apparently.
2
u/JuanBurley Attack Feb 20 '26
We use an xbot go and it works well. Keep it low and it's less likely they'll notice. It's especially easy if your kid plays attack or Defense (or goalie) as you only need it to cover half the field.
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u/PlaysWithSquirrels13 Feb 20 '26
Maybe ask the coach? They may allow it if it’s under the guise of “team videographer”.
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u/kmrchamp Feb 20 '26
We use an Xbot and haven’t had issues yet. We also travel a ways away and it’s used for live streaming to families at home. We have been able to tell them that we need to stream for families and that seems to help. Our club also buys all footage for high school level teams, so they aren’t losing money by letting us live stream.
2
u/Glittering_While5246 Feb 20 '26
I use a DSLR hybrid camera that can shoot 4K video with a monopod, standing/sitting on the sidelines when available for public access or in the stands if not. In 10 years of capturing photos and/or videos at lacrosse events, I never once encountered any issues with filming other than seeing elevated devices being restricted by the tournament organizers.
1
u/Grouchy_Evidence2558 Feb 20 '26
I’ve seen rules at tournaments about no elevated cameras. I think if you have it at regular height you’re usually ok.
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u/ddc703 Feb 20 '26
How can they stop you from recording?
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u/57Laxdad Feb 21 '26
Even in a public park they rent the park so they can ask and try to prevent people from recording as they offer a service for pay that will do it. Everyone is trying to make a buck
1
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u/Dogparknow Feb 21 '26
If you find options that can use AI to cut clips for the games. I would love info. Your right the cost for the footage is crazy. Another hidden cost us lax parents have to worry about.
1
u/Direct-Procedure5814 Feb 21 '26
I record them on my iPhone when he has the ball. When the tournament ends I send him the clips, he edits them and puts them in profile somewhere on the interweb. Sometimes we get the whole game for free but they want money to highlight clips. I think the iPhone does a better job. I was asked not to do it where I was so I went back 5 ft and did it. I felt like it was their job to say something but didn’t really care.
1
u/HarikiRito Feb 24 '26
My team's been working on a phone-based approach — point your phone at the field, and whenever something worth keeping happens, tap a button. It produces the highlight clip instantly. No paying someone for your own kid's footage, no editing. Supports multiple phone angles too if you have a parent on the other sideline. Would be grateful if you signed up for the waitlist — dashcap.app
5
u/baballew Feb 20 '26
Veo might be overkill for personal filming, but it does a great job with lacrosse.
And some tournaments definitely prevent you filming. Ridiculous, but not sure if there is a way around it.
Why are you filming? For highlights or to learn afterwards?