Make a football tactics short (the high press)

Tactics breakdowns are some of the most shared sports videos. In this tutorial you’ll make a 30-second vertical short that shows a high press winning the ball.

Step 1: New vertical project

Create a new video, choose 9:16 and the Sports shorts style. Pick the football template, the high press. Templates come with a pitch, players and cameras already set up.

Step 2: Write the commentary beat by beat

A short like this has four or five beats. Write one line for each:

1. “Watch the striker’s run. He’s not chasing the ball.”
2. “He cuts off the pass to the centre-back.”
3. “Now the winger jumps on the full-back.”
4. “Nowhere to go. Turnover.”
5. “That’s the high press.”

Keep each line under three seconds of speech.

Step 3: Time the moves to the lines

Use beat-by-beat timing: each player movement starts on its line, so the viewer hears and sees the idea together. (Use real-time timing instead when you want a play to run at match speed, like a rally.)

Step 4: Cameras and replay

Start wide so the shape is clear, then move closer for the turnover. Add a replay of the key moment from a second angle; replays are where viewers pause and comment.

Step 5: Voice and captions

Choose an energetic commentator voice. Captions should be large, two lines at most, and kept in the middle of the frame, clear of the app buttons.

Step 6: Export and post

Export as 9:16. When you post, put the recipe in the caption:

The high press, explained ⚽ · Made with Zaga Studio · Style: Sports shorts (football) · Voice: commentator

Other templates to try next: basketball pick and roll, tennis serve plus one and volleyball quick set.