# Tournament Checklist ## MATERIALS NEEDED * [x] Recording device (Smartphone, GoPro, Tablet, Camera) * Any type of device will work - so long as it fulfills the digital requirements [listed below](/getting-started/tournament-checklist.md#optimize-your-digital-recordings). If you are using an iPhone or and iPad, check out the [Balltime mobile app](/getting-started/login-to-balltime/balltime-mobile-app/android-users.md), it can help with the upload process. * [x] Tripod - 5ft high min, ideally 8-10ft high * A tripod that has proven popular with Balltime users is [this model](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NLWXLVL?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_MH8XH82WWX81QWS76FG5\&fbclid=IwAR3Hi7HkKd17OffBeK6GcY80AhoOuQ6ACYL-9nHN34vIbMaQVwDh-7Jx9Ws\&th=1). * [x] Charging Cables/Power Bank (if needed) ## RECORDING REQUIREMENTS Our platform works best with **raw, unedited footage** that should follow the below specifications: * [x] Film in 1080p * [x] Film in 30 or 60 fps * [x] Film from the center of the endline on the side your team is playing on. Most important to see the 4 corners of the court on the opposite side of the net from you (2 corners where the sidelines meet the endlines, and where the center lines meet the sidelines) * [ ] if not possible, film from sideline and point the camera up the sideline * [x] Film from a minimum of 5ft high (the higher the better) * [x] Film horizontally * [x] Film with a single device - no multi-angle or camera footage * [x] Film from a stationary device * [x] Film each set individually stopping recoding between sets. Then merge upon upload (more on that in the [Upload Videos section](/record-and-upload-your-videos/upload-your-videos.md)) * [x] 4K is available, but we do **not** reccomend using as it means the file is large and will take too long to uplaod * [x] No zoom out, wide-angle, or fish-eye lens * [x] No pre-edited videos (meaning do not stop and start the video between every play) Getting the best quality recording is very important because it will optimize the AI video breakdown (player and action identification) on the Balltime platform, saving you hours of tedious editing, and it will create the highest quality video for your Highlight Videos Other recording tips: * Try to frame the court in such a way that there is no "interference" from other courts, meaning that you should try to zoom in as much as possible to avoid getting other courts as possible. * Optimize for as few visual obstacles as possible (line referees, spectators, or any other visual obstacle that would block our AI from seeing the athletes). Don’t hesitate to politely ask people to move out of the way (including the athletes on the court) * In some cases, there can be some powerful lights at the convention center - try to optimize the framing so that this doesn't create lens flare Here is an example of a well framed game uploaded to Balltime

Although the 4 corners are not visible here, the framing and zoom are still great in this example

## UPLOADING REQUIREMENTS Once all your files are ready for upload (whether you are on your mobile device or desktop), read this article to see [how to upload your footage](/record-and-upload-your-videos/upload-your-videos.md), as well as how to merge all of your different sets into one final match video. * [x] Reliable wifi network or internet connection * [x] Available space on your device * [ ] uploading videos requires 2x the available space as the video takes up (mobile app only). ## RECORDING TIPS As you know Balltime is a cutting-edge AI platform that uses the power of Machine Learning and Computer Vision to automate the breakdown for Volleyball Video & Analytics. As such, there are a few things that you can do to make sure that the AI models detect your children as best as they can! Here's a few tips & tricks: * Long hair can often be a hinderance to the AI, in that it will hide the jersey number in a lot of the frame, making it harder for the AI to see the action. If your athlete is indifferent to their hairstyle when they play, we recommend going with a high ponytail, or a double-braid in order to help with the AI detection.

In these examples you can see how the jersey number is hidden

In these examples you can see how the jersey number is hidden

In these examples you can see how the jersey number is hidden

* Please note that these tips are only recommendations, not requirements. We know first-hand how important it is for athletes to feel confident when they play, so if your athlete wants to keep their unique style, that's totally fine! ## CONTACT INFO You can send an email to with any questions you have about any of this! --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://academy.balltime.com/getting-started/tournament-checklist.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.