Taking your own video for swim stroke analysis
Introduction
The use of video footage has become an invaluable tool for triathlon coaches and swimmers alike. By capturing a swimmer's stroke from both above and below the water's surface, triathletes and coaches can analyze and identify areas for improvement, leading to more efficient and powerful swimming techniques. In this blog post, we will explore the best practices for capturing high-quality video footage for stroke analysis.
Equipment Selection
Whilst investing in appropriate equipment is not essential, better quality equipment will help to ensure the quality and accuracy of your footage, particularly underwater. Here are a few key items to consider:
Smartphone: Most smartphones nowadays take pretty good video quality, and certainly good enough for stroke anlayis. The difficulty with most is that they aren’t waterproof, so getting underwater footage can be challenging.
Waterproof smartphone case: These are available for most smartphones however, make sure to get one that specifies a depth it is waterproof to, and avoid soft “waterproof” cases which are designed more to survive a quick dunking rather than prolonged time underwater.
Underwater Camera: There are plenty of waterproof cameras available nowadays at a variety of budgets. If you can, choose a waterproof camera that offers high-resolution video recording and image stabilization capabilities. Ideally a model that can record in slow motion to allow for detailed analysis however, this is far from a prerequisite, any modern waterproof camera will generally suffice.
Mounting Devices: Utilize underwater mounts or tripods specifically designed for positioning the camera securely in the pool. Suction cup mounts or weighted bases with adjustable arms are common choices. Utilise “Selfie Stick” type equipment to allow you to move the camera to better locations close up to teh athlete from poolside. Again, these are not required but can greatly enhance the quality of footage.
Camera Placement
To capture the most accurate and useful footage for stroke analysis, proper camera placement is crucial. Consider the following tips:
Distance from the Swimmer: Position the camera roughly 1m away from the swimmer. This will provide a wide-angle view and allow for capturing the entire stroke cycle effectively.
Depth and Angle: Place the camera just below the water's surface, angled slightly upward towards the swimmer. This perspective provides a clear view of the head, arms, and upper body, which are essential components of stroke analysis.
Lighting: Ensure proper lighting conditions to avoid dark and grainy footage. Utilize natural sunlight or underwater lighting equipment, if necessary, to enhance visibility.
Filming Technique
To capture accurate and usable footage, it's essential to follow proper filming techniques:
Stable Footage: Avoid unnecessary movements or vibrations that may affect the quality of the footage. Use a stable mounting device and ensure the camera remains fixed throughout the swim.
Zoom and Focus: Set the camera to an appropriate zoom level to capture the swimmer's body position and stroke technique clearly. Adjust the camera's focus so that the swimmer remains sharp and in focus throughout the recording.
Keep Filming Duration Short: To make the post-analysis process more manageable, record shorter segments focused on specific aspects of the swimmer. This enables coaches to pinpoint and provide targeted feedback on areas that require improvement.
The Filming Process
Ideally work with a partner to help capture the footage as it is very difficult to achieve all of the suggested footage on your own. Make sure the swimmer warms up before filming so that their stroke best represents their typical swim stroke. Video footage should be taken with the swimmer swimming at a good pace, but not flat out.
Ideally you should look look to obtain 5 separate views as below. To make this as easy as possible, try to use the lane directly adjacent to the poolside.
Frontal view above water - Walking next to the swimmer with the extension pole held just above the water surface, directly ahead of the swimmer. Keep the camera roughly 1m ahead of the swimmer. Video a full swim length in this way.
Frontal view below water - Repeat as above for frontal view above the water but hold the camera just below the water surface for the entirety of the length.
Side view above water - Walking next to the swimmer with the extension pole holding the camera slightly above the water in line with the swimmers waist. Make sure the swimmer swims as close to the lane rope as possible to give as much space between camera and swimmer so that the whole length of the swimmers body can be viewed. Video 2 full swim length in this way, one in each direction.
Side view below water - Repeat as above for side view above the water but hold the camera just below the water surface for the entirety of the lengths.
View from above - Walking next to the swimmer with the extension pole holding the camera directly above the swimmer pointing downwards. Keep the camera roughly 1m above the swimmer. Video a full swim length in this way.
If you are on their own, you can make use of a suction up mount to attach the camera to the wall of the pool as below. This method means that you wont be able to take the birds eye view however, the other 4 views should allow a coach to make a good analysis.
Frontal view above water - Using the suction cup, stick the camera just above the water surface at the end of the pool in the middle of the lane. Set the camera to record and swim 100m making sure to swim directly towards the camera and turn directly below it.
Frontal view below water - Using the suction cup, stick the camera just below the water surface at the end of the pool in the middle of the lane. Set the camera to record and swim 100m making sure to swim directly towards the camera and turn in line with it, ideally putting one foot either side as you push off.
Side view above water - Using the suction cup, tick the camera to the poolside just above the water surface, in the middle of the length facing across the pool. Set the camera to record and swim 100m.
Side view below water - As above but with the camera stuck just below the water surface.
Review the footage and check it has recorded correctly and that is shows the entirety of the swimmers stroke. If not, repeat and move the camera closer or further away as necessary to capture the swimmer in full in each view.
Conclusion
Underwater video footage provides an invaluable resource for triathlon coaches to analyze and improve swimmers' stroke techniques. By following the guidelines outlined above, swimmers and coaches can capture high-quality footage that leads to targeted insights and focused training. By leveraging this exceptional tool, swimmers can make significant strides in their stroke efficiency, ultimately leading to improved performance in the water.
