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Rugby Fives Association

The governing body for Rugby Fives — promoting play, coaching and competition across the UK

How to Create a Rugby Fives Highlight Reel for Social Media

A strong Rugby Fives highlight reel turns a fast, skilful match into a short story that viewers can follow without knowing every rule. It should show the pace of the court, the precision of the shots, the pressure of the rally, and the reaction when a point is won. The best clips feel energetic while still giving the sport room to speak for itself.

Social platforms reward videos that establish context quickly. A viewer should understand where the action is taking place, who is competing, and why a particular exchange matters within the first few seconds. Good preparation before filming makes the editing process faster and produces a more authentic result.

The goal is not to include every impressive moment. A focused edit with a clear beginning, rising intensity, and memorable finish will usually perform better than a long sequence of disconnected clips. It can promote a tournament, celebrate a player, attract new participants, or give a school or club a lively record of its event.

Choose the story before filming

Start by deciding what the reel needs to achieve. A championship video might emphasise elite movement, long rallies, and the atmosphere around the final. A school video may focus on first attempts, coaching, teamwork, and the enjoyment of learning. A club recruitment reel should make the sport look welcoming as well as exciting.

Write a simple one-sentence brief, such as “Show how a tense final builds from concentration to celebration” or “Help beginners see that Rugby Fives is active, social, and easy to try.” This brief becomes a filter for every clip. If a shot does not support the intended message, it may not belong in the final edit.

Plan for variety. Include a wide view of the court, medium shots of players preparing, close details of hands and footwork, the ball striking the wall, and reactions between points. Include both individual skill and shared moments, such as teammates encouraging each other or spectators responding to a rally.

Capture footage that gives editors options

Film vertically when the main destination is Instagram Reels, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts. A 9:16 frame fills the phone screen and allows the action to appear larger. If you also need footage for a website or landscape presentation, record a few sequences horizontally, but avoid mixing formats without a clear reason.

A stable camera is more valuable than constant movement. Place one phone or camera at a safe court-side position and record complete rallies where possible. A second angle can capture close details or reactions, provided it does not distract players or create a safety risk. Keep lenses clean, check storage space, and record a few seconds before and after important moments.

Sound can add atmosphere, even when music will be used later. Capture the crack of the ball against the wall, shoes moving across the floor, applause, coaching instructions, and the noise after a decisive point. Avoid filming from positions that block play, and check that players, coaches, and young participants have the necessary permissions for publication.

For ideas about making the sport accessible beyond a single event, direct viewers towards find a court so an exciting clip can lead naturally to a chance to participate.

Build a rhythm around real match moments

Open with movement or tension rather than a long logo animation. A quick shot of a player striking the wall, a close-up of focused eyes, or the scoreboard changing can create immediate interest. Add the event name and location as a small overlay if context is needed, but keep it brief and readable.

Arrange clips so the energy develops. Begin with preparation, move into short exchanges, then show longer rallies, sharper changes of direction, and the strongest point near the end. A sequence of three or four related shots often works well: serve, return, scramble, reaction. This gives the audience a sense of cause and effect.

Keep most clips short, but allow exceptional moments to breathe. A two-second cut can suggest speed, while a five- or six-second rally lets viewers appreciate anticipation and control. Cut on contact with the wall, a sudden change of direction, a successful recovery, or the instant players realise they have won the point.

Reel element	Useful duration	Editing purpose
Opening action	1–3 seconds	Establish energy immediately
Court or event context	1–2 seconds	Identify the setting
Skill details	1–3 seconds each	Show technique and movement
Rally sequence	4–8 seconds	Let tension develop
Celebration or reaction	2–4 seconds	Create an emotional payoff
Closing message	2–3 seconds	Give viewers a next step

Make the action clear on a small screen

Fast sport can become confusing when every cut comes from the same angle. Use a wide view to show positioning, then switch to a closer shot for a decisive strike or reaction. Avoid excessive zooming, spinning transitions, and effects that obscure the ball or make the footage feel artificial.

Text overlays should support the images rather than compete with them. Identify a final, a club, a school, a player achievement, or a simple fact about Rugby Fives. Use high contrast, generous spacing, and a font large enough to read without pausing. Keep important text away from the edges, where platform controls may cover it.

Music should match the tempo of the edit and remain suitable for the audience. Select audio licensed for social use, or use original court sound when it creates stronger atmosphere. Lower the music during a powerful rally or celebration so the natural impact of the moment remains audible.

Colour correction can bring consistency to clips recorded under different indoor lights. Adjust brightness, contrast, and white balance gently. Overly dark footage hides the ball, while heavy sharpening and saturated colours can make players look unnatural. A clean, recognisable image is more persuasive than an elaborate visual treatment.

Give the reel a clear beginning and ending

A social video needs a reason to continue watching. Use the first seconds to establish a question or promise through the visuals: Can the player recover? How long will the rally last? Who will win the final point? You do not need to write these questions on screen; the action can create the tension.

The middle should feel purposeful rather than repetitive. Remove near-identical serves, missed shots that do not add context, and long pauses between points. Preserve variation in pace and perspective so the reel feels like a compressed match experience instead of a random collection of highlights.

Finish with a moment that leaves a positive impression. A winning shot, players shaking hands, a team photograph, or a lively group scene can work well. Follow it with a concise call to action such as “Watch, play, and get involved,” “Find your nearest court,” or “Follow for fixtures and results.”

Publish with context and respect

Write a caption that adds information the video cannot provide. Name the event, venue, clubs, schools, or competitors where appropriate, and credit the person who filmed or edited the footage. A short description of what viewers are seeing can help people unfamiliar with the sport understand why the rally matters.

Use a small group of relevant hashtags rather than filling the caption with generic ones. Consider terms connected with Rugby Fives, racket sports, school sport, community sport, coaching, tournaments, and the local area. Tag participating clubs and recognised event accounts when permissions and platform settings allow it.

Review the final video on a phone before posting. Check spelling, crop, audio levels, captions, player identification, and whether the most important action is visible beneath interface buttons. If young people appear, follow the event’s media policy and obtain the correct consent. Never publish an embarrassing or unsafe moment simply because it might attract views.

Use this posting checklist

Select a clear purpose and choose clips that support it.
Open with action, tension, or a visually strong detail.
Mix wide court views with close-ups, rallies, and reactions.
Add readable captions, accurate credits, and suitable audio.
Check permissions, accessibility, cropping, and sound before publishing.

A highlight reel can continue working after the original event has ended. Share it with players, schools, clubs, coaches, and volunteers so they can repost it to their own communities. Create shorter versions for different platforms, keeping the strongest opening and changing the caption to suit each audience.

Track which moments earn watch time, shares, saves, and comments. A long rally may attract repeat views, while a celebration may prompt more sharing. These signals can guide future filming without reducing the sport to statistics. The most useful lesson is often which stories help people recognise themselves as potential players.

Pick an upcoming match, coaching session, or school fixture, prepare a simple shot list, and start recording with the next viewer in mind. A well-made reel can celebrate the people already involved while showing new audiences why Rugby Fives deserves a place on their screen and on their local court.

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What is Fives?

A handball sport with deep roots

Rugby Fives is a fast, skilful handball game played in an enclosed court with walls. It takes its name from Rugby School, where the modern game developed. The RFA provides resources and an introductory video for newcomers eager to understand the rules and spirit of the sport.

Discover the game

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Where to Play

Courts across the country

Rugby Fives is played at schools, universities and clubs throughout the UK. Whether you are a seasoned competitor or picking up a glove for the first time, the RFA can help connect you with local venues and fellow players.

Find a court

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Rankings

Tracking the best in the game

The RFA maintains official player rankings, including a dedicated Women's rankings list and end-of-season standings. A comprehensive record book of tournament winners stretches back to 1925, preserving nearly a century of competitive history.

View rankings

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Fixtures & Tournaments

The competitive calendar

The RFA calendar includes championships, open tournaments, and school and university matches. Major events have included the National Open Singles, the South West Open, the London Open, the Scottish Open, and the Owers Trophy — alongside representative fixtures against schools and clubs.

See fixtures

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