Match Day Guide

This guide is free. Read it here, print it, use it.

This guide works regardless of your hardware or software. It's a process guide, not a technical manual. For technical setup, see the Starter Kit.

Download as PDF

Roles

One person (minimum)

You do everything. Camera on tripod, operate laptop, monitor stream. No commentary unless you multitask. Feasible with Tier 1 or a fixed camera on Tier 2.

Two people (recommended)

Person 1 = camera + audio (at the field). Person 2 = laptop + stream + scoreboard (near power). This is the sweet spot for most clubs.

Three people (comfortable)

Camera operator + Production + Commentator. Everyone focuses on one thing. Best quality, least stress.

Agree beforehand who does what. Print this guide and give everyone a copy.

Timeline

T-120 min

Pack and leave

Go through the hardware checklist below. Everything packed? Batteries charged? Stream key noted? Everything in the car.

  • Check the weather — rain means extra protection for equipment
  • Charge all devices fully
  • Check if YouTube/Twitch/Facebook stream key is still valid
  • Create the scheduled stream on your platform (title, description, thumbnail)
  • Bring a printed copy of this guide
T-90 min

Arrival and reconnaissance

Report to the match secretary. Walk the field and answer these questions:

  • Sun position: Where will the sun be at kickoff? You want the sun behind you, not in your lens.
  • Power supply: Where is the nearest outlet? How long does your extension cord need to be?
  • Camera position: Elevated is always better than low. Halfway line is better than behind the goal. Stands, balcony, or scaffolding — anything beats ground level.
  • Internet test: Test your connection at the exact spot where you'll be standing. Minimum upload: 720p30 = 3 Mbit/s, 1080p30 = 6 Mbit/s. Test multiple times.

Network test script

The kit includes a bash script that tests your connection. Open a terminal on your laptop and run:

bash network-test.sh

The script tests your internet connection, download and upload speed, and latency. You'll get an assessment of whether your connection is sufficient for 720p or 1080p streaming.

T-60 min

Setup

  1. Set up tripod + mount camera
  2. Framing: entire field in view + room on both sides to pan
  3. Start laptop + open OBS
  4. Connect camera via capture card or DroidCam
  5. Connect microphone + attach windscreen
  6. Connect power — laptop and camera on mains, not battery
  7. Start mobile router (if no ethernet)
  8. Tape down all cables with gaffer tape — someone will trip if you don't
T-45 min

Technical check

  • Camera feed in OBS: Can you see the field? Is it sharp? Is exposure correct?
  • Audio check: Speak into the mic. Watch the meter in OBS: green = good, yellow = loud enough, red = too loud. Target: peaks around -12 dB.
  • Wind check: Can you hear wind in the audio? Windscreen on, or turn mic out of the wind.
  • Overlay check: Is the scoreboard positioned correctly? Are team names correct?
  • Holding screen check: Does the waiting screen scene work? Is the text correct?
T-30 min

Test stream

Start a private/unlisted test stream. Open the stream on your phone and check:

  • Is the image sharp?
  • Is the audio audible and clear?
  • Is the scoreboard readable on a phone screen?
  • What's the latency?

Stop the test stream. Fix problems NOW — not during the match.

T-15 min

Go / No-go

Everything works? Holding screen on, start real stream, share link via WhatsApp, club app, social media.

Not everything works? Three fallbacks:

  • No internet → Record locally in OBS, upload after the match
  • No audio → Stream with text banner "no audio today unfortunately"
  • Camera problem → Phone on tripod as backup
T-5 min

Final check

  • Stream live and stable?
  • Pre-match scene (holding screen) on?
  • Commentator knows it's starting?

Breathe in. Breathe out. It's going to be fine.

T-0

Kickoff

  • Switch to live scene
  • Scoreboard to 0-0
  • Commentator opens: welcome viewers, name the teams, competition, and the score
  • Camera operator: follow the ball, don't zoom in too much, keep it steady
During the match

Running tasks

Every 10 minutes:

  • Check stream on your phone — still running?
  • Check audio meter in OBS — not in the red?
  • Check dropped frames — more than 5%? Lower the bitrate
What Who When
Update score Producer Immediately after each score
Check dropped frames Producer Every 10 minutes
Mention viewer count Commentator Occasionally — motivates viewers to share
Check camera battery Camera op At half time
Mention sponsor Commentator At half time and after the match

During a stoppage: camera keeps rolling. During a serious injury: frame away from the player.

Half time

Break

  • Switch to break scene or holding screen
  • Check batteries, internet, OBS stats
  • Swap commentator if working in pairs
  • Share the score on social media

Go to the bathroom. Now. You have 15 minutes.

2 minutes before second half: back to position, ready to switch to live scene.

End of match

Wrap-up

  1. Announce final score and thank viewers
  2. Thank sponsors
  3. Show final score for 30-60 seconds
  4. Switch to end screen / holding screen
  5. Keep holding screen on for 2-3 minutes
  6. Stop stream in OBS AND in YouTube/Facebook/Twitch
T+30 min

Teardown

  1. Close OBS
  2. Coil cables (over-under method — prevents kinks)
  3. Remove all gaffer tape
  4. Camera off tripod
  5. Check you have everything (use hardware checklist)
  6. Clean up your spot — leave it cleaner than you found it

Thank everyone who helped — volunteers who are thanked come back.

Same evening or next day

Post-production

  1. Check YouTube/Facebook archive — is the recording available?
  2. Update the title: [Club] vs [Opponent] | [Score] | [Competition] | [Date]
  3. Create a thumbnail (1280×720) — a screenshot from the stream with the final score works fine
  4. Share on social media
  5. Send viewer numbers to the board and sponsors

Fill in the evaluation form — five questions:

  1. What went well?
  2. What went wrong?
  3. What took too long?
  4. What did I miss?
  5. What will I do differently next time?

Hardware checklist

Print this list. Go through it before you leave.

Always bring

  • Camera
  • Tripod
  • Laptop + charger
  • HDMI cable or capture card
  • Extension cord (min. 10m)
  • Gaffer tape
  • This guide (printed)

Mobile internet

  • Mobile router + charger
  • SIM card with data
  • Ethernet cable (router → laptop)

Audio

  • Microphone
  • Windscreen / deadcat
  • USB cable or XLR cable

Nice to have

  • Power bank
  • Spare camera battery
  • Umbrella (for the laptop, not for you)
  • Folding chair
  • Water and food

You'll forget it, and you can't leave.

When NOT to stream

Sometimes not streaming is the better choice. No stream is better than a bad stream.

  • Upload below 2 Mbit/s with no alternative — Record locally and upload later. A stuttering stream is worse than no stream.
  • Thunderstorm — Safety first. You're outside with metal tripods and electronics. Go inside.
  • One person, no tripod, no power — Quality will be too low. It damages your reputation and makes it harder to convince sponsors and viewers next time.
  • Youth match with children under 12 — Check the privacy policy of your club and federation. Many federations have rules about broadcasting minors. When in doubt: don't.

Emergency Procedures

Something always goes wrong. That's normal. Here's what you do.

Stream drops out

  1. Check OBS — is the stream still on? Restart the stream.
  2. Speed test — has the connection dropped? Lower quality (720p, lower bitrate).
  3. Nothing works → switch to local recording, announce on social media that the stream will be available as a video later.

Computer crashes

  1. Restart the laptop.
  2. Open OBS, check if the replay buffer captured anything.
  3. Start a new stream — YouTube uses the same stream key, you can just start again.
  4. Don't stress. It happens.

Camera fails

  1. Phone on tripod as backup — use DroidCam or Camo as a source in OBS.
  2. No backup? Stop the stream, go have a beer. There's always a next match.

Rain

  1. Laptop under the umbrella (that's why you bring it).
  2. Camera: plastic bag with hole for the lens. Ugly but effective.
  3. Capture card and cables: keep dry with a towel or in a plastic container.
  4. Getting worse? Equipment comes first — stop the stream, pack everything up.

This guide tells you WHAT to do.

The Starter Kit tells you WITH WHAT and HOW — including OBS configuration, overlays, audio settings, and hardware advice.

Get the kit — €39

This guide was made by someone who started with a phone on a music stand and now produces top-flight rugby. You can do it. Just start.