How to video your swim

​Videoing your swim is an excellent way to look at what you are doing and to use the video to identify any corrections. Using specific drills to help address any issues found. Tri-trained will analyse your stroke for you and supply you example drills, along with details of where you should focus.

Where do I start ?
The starting point is the videoing and getting the right shots to get the most from an 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 feedback or 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 the side of the pool

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From the side above the water
​As in the image follow the swimmer along the side of the pool and record several strokes, try and keep the camera nice and steady and to keep all of the swimmer in the frame. Try and keep the camera as close to the water surface as is possible.

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From the front underwater
This one requires you to use a camera that can record underwater, something such as a GroPro would be perfect. Here we are looking for a front shot through several strokes, underwater. As per the image.

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From the side underwater
As above this video will require a camera that can be placed 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 strokes.

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​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 I 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.