Help Topics

Overview

MatchCut is an app for creating video clips, then combining those clips into a highlight reel.

The whole process is fast and simple. This documentation will take you through each step and explain the options along the way.

A note about app permissions: MatchCut works best when it is given permission to use all media on your device. Modern devices may ask whether you want to allow the app to see all media, or just some. For ease of use, choose the "all" option.

Step 1: Create a Clip

Select "Clips" from the bottom navigation, then tap the (+) button. Follow the prompts to select a video from your photo gallery, and MatchCut will help you create a video clip around the frame you choose to highlight. The default options are great for most situations, so don't worry about the details at first. Once you tap "Finish," the clip is saved and you're returned to the main menu.

Step 2: Create a Slide

Select "Slides" from the bottom navigation, then tap the (+) button. You can choose from different slide styles at the bottom, and add text or images by tapping on the slide preview. Once you tap the checkmark at the top, the slide is saved and you're returned to the main menu.

Step 3: Add Clips and Slides to a Reel

Finally, select "Reels" from the bottom navigation and tap (+). This is where you get to add the slides and clips you created into the timeline at the bottom. The clips are played one after another, optionally to some music of your choice. From here you can use the Back button to save your reel, or export the reel as a video file.

Clips and Slides can be reused across many different reels, so have fun mixing and matching!

Tap the help sections below for more details.

Moment of Action Screen

When first creating a clip, use the video player to find the exact frame you want to highlight. The top scrub bar allows you to quickly drag to the relevant part of the video. The bottom slider then lets you walk frame-by-frame. Press "Continue" once you've found your moment.

Clip Duration Screen

MatchCut does the hard work for you by clipping the video to the left and right of your highlighted moment. Press the (+) and (-) buttons on either side to adjust the amount of video to be played before and after the highlight.

Adding Freeze Frames

Each clip can be set to have a freeze frame. First, select the moment in the clip you want to freeze. Then, add text and/or select a spot shadow to make the freeze frame more impactful or to point out a specific athlete in the video. Press "Continue" once you're done.

Selecting a Spot Shadow for the Freeze Frame

Tap "Spot Shadow" to add a graphic to the freeze frame. The carousel at the bottom allows you to set the color and shape of the spot shadow, and you can drag it around the video to place it. Tap the (x) on the left side when you're done. Otherwise, tap the trash can icon to remove the spot shadow.

Adding Text to the Freeze Frame

Tap "Text", then tap a place on the video preview to insert text into the freeze frame at that location. Tap the (x) on the left side when you're done. Otherwise, tap the trash can icon to remove the text.

Naming your Clip

Always add a short, memorable name for each Clip you create. Clips can be reused across many reels, so naming each one allows you to find them quickly.

Finishing your Clip

Once you're done, tap the Finish button at the bottom to save the clip.

Select a Slide Theme

Scroll the list of slide themes at the bottom to find one you like.

Add Text

You can edit the slide title and subtitle by tapping them. Make sure these include enough information to easily identify your student athlete, such as the athlete's name and school.

Add a Background Picture

Make the slide your own! Tap the background of the slide to upload a picture from your photo gallery

It's okay if you don't add a background picture. A default background will be applied when inserted into a reel.

Naming your Slide

Always add a short, memorable name for each Slide you create. Like clips, slides can be reused across many reels, so naming each one allows you to find them quickly.

Finishing your Slide

Once you're done, tap the checkmark in the top corner to save the slide.

Adding Slides and Clips

While editing a reel, tap the large (+) block in the reel timeline at the bottom. You can then insert the clips and slides you previously created. MatchCut will play them one after another.

Rearranging Slides and Clips

Long-press on any item in the reel timeline to lift it up. You can then drag it between any other items on the timeline.

Removing Slides and Clips from a Reel

On each item in a reel, you can find an overflow menu (three dots in the bottom corner) with an option to delete that item from the reel.

Enabling Clip Audio

When viewing a reel in MatchCut, tap the overflow menu (three dots in the bottom corner) and select "Edit Audio." By default, audio from your clips is muted, as this is the style of presentation preferred by recruiters and coaches. However, you can choose "Clip Audio" from this menu to enable sound on your videos.

Selecting Music

When viewing a reel in MatchCut, tap the overflow menu (three dots in the bottom corner) and select "Edit Audio." Then, select "Music." You will be presented a list of music you can use across the entire reel. The music provided by MatchCut is royalty-free and unrestricted in usage.

Saving your Reel

Once you've finished editing a reel, use the Back button or gesture on your device. You will be asked to save your changes.

WARNING: Do not force-close MatchCut via your app switcher before saving, or your work for that session will be lost.

Exporting your Reel to a Video File

When viewing a reel in MatchCut, tap the overflow menu (three dots in the bottom corner) and select "Export." A video file of your reel is saved to your photo gallery. The video opens up in MatchCut immediately after, with a handy "Share" button in the bottom corner.

This video file can also be shared from the main menu by selecting "Share" from the overflow menu on each tile in the Reels list. Video files are quite large, however, so we recommend you use a video sharing service instead, such as YouTube.

Uploading to YouTube, as well as other online video sites such as Vimeo and Rumble, is the free archival and recommended way to share the reels you create in MatchCut. College recruiting sites like NCSA Sports support YouTube links as part of your athlete profile as well.

Export your Reel to a Video File

When viewing a reel in MatchCut, tap the overflow menu (three dots in the bottom corner) and select "Export." A video file of your reel is saved to your photo gallery.

Using the YouTube App or Website

When using the YouTube app, there is a large (+) button at the bottom of the home screen. Tap this button, then select "Video" from the pagination display at the bottom. You can then select the video file you exported from MatchCut.

When using the YouTube website, tap the Create button at the top right of the page, next to your profile picture and notifications. Then, select "Upload Video."

Using the YouTube Studio Website

When using the YouTube Studio website, tap the Create button at the top right of the page, next to your profile picture. Then, select "Upload Videos." You can then select the video file you exported from MatchCut.

Be aware the YouTube Studio app does not support video uploads. They expect you to use the YouTube app proper.

PRIVACY NOTE:

By default, the videos you upload to YouTube are public. The team here at Firecracker Software suggests you set your videos to "Unlisted", especially when it concerns student athletes. Unlisted videos can be shared to anyone via a link, but can't be searched or seen from your account page. Additionally, you may find it useful to create different unlisted reels tailored to each college for which you wish to apply.

MatchCut Pro is a paid upgrade to the base app that unlocks all features and customization options. As of the time of this writing, MatchCut Pro is a single lifetime purchase.

Use Unlimited Clips and Slides in Reels

As a free user, the number of items in a reel is capped at three. Upgrading to Pro allows you to use as many clips and slides in your reels as you like.

Remove Watermark

MatchCut Pro enables an option to create clips without a watermark.

More Slide and Music Choices

Gain access to additional creative customization options. Additional slide designs and music tracks are frequently being added to MatchCut.

Completely Ad-free

MatchCut Pro will never show any advertisements.

Yes! But you must be signed into the same Apple App Store or Google Play account that you originally used to purchase MatchCut. In fact, you can use your single purchase concurrently on all devices connected to that same account! In the store, tap the "Restore Purchases" button. If the purchase exists on your account, MatchCut Pro will immediately unlock.

Please keep in mind: purchases do not transfer between iOS and Android devices.

Go to your system settings. Select Apps, then MatchCut. Permissions should be under the Notifications heading.

You may have provided only limited file system permissions. MatchCut works best when it is given permission to use all media on your device. Modern devices also offer the ability to pre-select which files MatchCut is allowed to use, though you will have to continually update your selection in system settings whenever you add media you'd wish for the app to see.

MatchCut is intended to be a mobile app. However, we may make a desktop version by popular demand. Be sure to leave feedback for us about how you'd use a port of this software.

Not at this time. All of MatchCut's data, including your saved projects, is private and local to your phone or tablet. This is a feature that may be added by popular demand, so let us know if you'd like to see it happen.