How to video yourself swimming

​Videoing yourself swimming is an excellent way to see what your stroke looks like.  But, to correctly identify any weaknesses and to know how to make improvements, takes an expert eye. Tri-Trained are now offering expert analysis of your stroke by video. We will analyse your swimming technique and specify exactly which areas of your stroke would benefit from some shape changes and the  specific drills to reinforce the change.

Where do I start?

​The starting point is the videoing and getting the right shots to get the most from our analysis. This article has been written with this in mind and will allow you to get the best shots. If you then want to send this into Tri-trained and have one of our coaches give you expert feedback or, alternatively, to analyse the video yourself, I am sure this article will help.

​The best place to get the right video shots is down at your local pool. Make sure you have permission to video before you start and then ask a friend to record around 10 seconds of your stroke from these angles.

• From Above

​Follow the swimmer with the camera directly above the swimmer looking directly down, as in the image. The best way to do this is by mounting the camera on a pole and holding it above the swimmer following them along on the side of the pool

• From the side above the water

​Next, follow the swimmer videoing the side view and record several arm strokes. Try and keep the camera nice and steady and to keep all of the swimmer in the frame. Keep the camera as close to the water surface as is possible

​The next two angles are not essential, but do give us a lot of extra information. Only attempt these shots if you have a waterproof camera! A GoPro or clone would be perfect

• From the front underwater

​Record a front shot of the swimmer by keeping the camera just in front of their hands. Video them through several arm strokes

• From the side underwater

​As before, record the swimmer from the side, but this time with the camera just under the surface. Remember to try and keep the whole of the swimmer in the frame and to record several stroke cycles

​Summary

​You will need…

• a camera capable of reasonable quality video. Preferably one that is waterproof
• a selfie-stick, or camera pole to be able to frame the shot correctly
• a friend to do the videoing part for you while you swim

Don’t expect to get great video footage at the first attempt. It takes a bit of practice to judge how fast a swimmer moves in the water and to frame them properly in the shot, all while holding the camera steady!
And don’t change your swim stroke ‘just for the camera’. Swim like you do when nobody is watching.

​Now you have the video what should I do?

Once you have the four videos, please check you are happy with them and that you have included, if you can, all the four angles. You now have what you need to allow a coach to perform an analysis of your stroke.