| Video analysis of sports performance is often the | | | | There are some motion capture software available |
| domain of professional athletes and large companies | | | | that can handle a moving camera, but for now we |
| or research institutions. This analysis is done with | | | | suggest that the camera is mounted on a tripod and |
| expensive 3D video camera equipment and | | | | is not moved while the video clip is being filmed. This |
| complicated software to ensure high speeds and | | | | means that you should ensure the full ROM |
| accuracy. However there are some basic techniques | | | | (described above) can be captured in this one shot. |
| that can be used by any individual to evaluate their | | | | How you can film useful footage: |
| own performance and get great results using a | | | | Camera placement |
| simple digital video camera and a little understanding | | | | In general, most sports clips we watch on tv are |
| of human biomechanics (the mechanics of human | | | | best suited for analyzing strategy and teamwork |
| movement). The video camera will require a small | | | | because they provide an overall picture of many or |
| cost (we will discuss what makes a good camera in a | | | | all of the competitors and the playing field. However, |
| future posting), but we will supply you with much of | | | | when it comes to analyzing an individual's |
| the biomechanics understanding for free on this blog. | | | | performance or technique, it's not only important to |
| Reviewing video clips can be a great way to provide | | | | focus the camera on the single athlete, but the angle |
| coaching feedback to players, as well as a means to | | | | we film from must also be taken into account. It's |
| emulate one's favorite athletes. Whether you're a | | | | best to use "orthogonal angles", meaning the camera |
| professional all-star, high school athlete, or weekend | | | | is directly in front of, behind, or to the side of the |
| warrior, seeing yourself from a different perspective | | | | athlete. Golf coverage usually does a nice job of this, |
| can help improve your performance and/or minimize | | | | providing shots of the golfer either "face-on" or |
| your chances of injury. | | | | "down-the-line". |
| So in this first posting, we'll start right at the | | | | Notice how video footage of golf often have the |
| beginning and describe what features make a sports | | | | cameras level with the golfer; they're not filmed at |
| clip suitable for video analysis of an individual, and | | | | an upward or downward angle, meaning it's possible |
| what you can do to ensure the clips you film will | | | | to accurately calculate some angles, if that's what is |
| meet those requirements. Future postings will | | | | desired from the analysis. |
| demonstrate the various levels of analysis that can | | | | Background/contrast |
| be performed on suitable videos, using a range of | | | | Although the above clip is a beautiful view of Tiger's |
| available software, from basic free software to | | | | swing, the footage could have been improved by |
| detailed 3D analysis. | | | | having him wear clothes that were a different color |
| What makes a good sports clip? | | | | from the background. Black clothing with a black |
| A good sports clip of an individual shows the athlete's | | | | background can make it difficult to accurately |
| full range of motion (ROM) during an action, with the | | | | evaluate the amount of hip and shoulder rotation - |
| camera positioned such that angles can be accurately | | | | two commonly analyzed characteristics of a golf |
| calculated (this will be discussed in more detail later). | | | | swing. Not that having a solid black background is a |
| Filming the athlete's ROM can be accomplished by | | | | bad thing though; on the contrary, if you can manage |
| simply zooming out or moving the camera backwards | | | | to film your athlete with a solid-colored background, |
| until all the desired features are in the viewer. In | | | | you are well on your way to filming some nice |
| general, it's recommended to have the camera as | | | | footage for analysis. |
| close to the athlete as possible and still capture the | | | | Lighting |
| entire ROM, as this will make the most use of the | | | | As is true with taking most photos, it's ideal to |
| camera sensor's resolution. For example, if we were | | | | position the camera and athlete such that the light |
| to capture a basketball player dunking the ball we | | | | source (e.g., the sun) is behind the camera and |
| would want to ensure that our camera can see the | | | | illuminates the athlete. This will provide a crisp view of |
| complete action from take off until the player puts | | | | the athlete, and will allow you to use a more open |
| the ball in the net. Our camera would therefore need | | | | setting on the camera's aperture. |
| to see the ground at the take off point as well as | | | | Now that you're up to speed on the basics of filming |
| some space above the rim of the the net. | | | | great video for analysis, grab your video camera and |
| Another important factor in obtaining a great sports | | | | start practicing! |
| clip is to make sure that your camera is stationary. | | | | |