The massive improvement in football scouting tools has made it easier than ever for coaches to trade and analyze game film of their opponents.

But is there still something to be said for seeing an opponent live and in-person?

This week's #txhsfbchat discussed the differences between scouting from game film and scouting in person.

While there are many advantages to breaking down a team's performance on film, certain elements of scouting are simply lost by not being physically present at the game.

Understanding an opponent's pace of play, the demeanor of its coaches and players, and recognizing any injuries or injured players are all elements of scouting that don't lend themselves to watching game film.

Ultimately, both approaches to scouting are important and complementary.

See the chat transcript on scouting in person versus scouting on film below.