A short series of videos with pointers on the best way to film your swimmers.

Using either an iPhone or GoPro camera, there are specific things you should know to collect the best content for giving great feedback to your athletes.

How to Film Swimmers for Evaluations

While you're always free to change the settings on your phone or GoPro to get better video, part of the process of feedback is the uploading and delivery.  The iPhone solution is far faster and the end video will be exactly the same between the two.

If you're on an Android phone, you'll follow the path of the GoPro for uploading on the website, and we ARE working on an updated app that will be for both iPhone and Android.

Whichever way you go, the most important thing to do is to simply **share video with your swimmers!**

iPhone or GoPro and Deckshots

The faster the swimmer, the more bouncy the video can be.

Make sure the stick isn't extended SO far that the camera will start to shake.  The smoother the video, the more information will get back to your swimmers.

Speed of the Swimmer

Depending on what you want to film, moving the swimmer closer or further away from the camera can change the perspective.

Most videos will try to have the swimmer on the far side of the lane in comparison to the camera.  This allows the field of view to be wider and the full body can be captured in lane one.

Positioning the Swimmer

Letting the camera do the work, means setting up the angles just right, so all you have to do is walk.

Orienting the Camera

There are little things you need to be aware of when filming with the iPhone.

The screen may zoom.
The screen may flip.
When you rush, the water may press against the screen and cause trouble.

This video will give you a couple tricks to keep in mind to keep your filming consistent.

[**Make sure you order the HITCASE PRO with SUPERWIDE LENS for your iPhone.**](http://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&mi=11885&pw=159127&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hitcase.com%2Fcollections%2Fhitcase-pro)

Starting to Film

You can use the face of the phone to start your filming, but the volume buttons become shutter controls when you're using the camera.  It's far more consistent and will save you frustration if you use the buttons.

[**Make sure you order the HITCASE PRO with SUPERWIDE LENS for your iPhone.**](http://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&mi=11885&pw=159127&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hitcase.com%2Fcollections%2Fhitcase-pro)

Use the Buttons

We've pretty much tried them all... and eventually... broken them all.

The [**QuikPod**](http://amzn.to/2v3LsVp) Selfie stick is the best we've found.  Waterproof, and just a solid stick!

Select Your Selfie Stick

Just because it says "waterproof", check the fine print on your warranty.

[**Make sure you order the HITCASE PRO with SUPERWIDE LENS for your iPhone.**](http://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&mi=11885&pw=159127&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hitcase.com%2Fcollections%2Fhitcase-pro)

Take your time in checking all ports and openings, and make sure you do all the proper "pre-dunk" tests with your equipment.

Waterproofing Your Camera

Making sure you use the right settings for your filming, will help you get through the process more quickly.

While you're free to use the highest resolution the camera provides, that will only add time and data loads that won't ultimately give any better feedback to the athletes.

Setting up Your Camera

[**You can learn more details about this drill at this link.**](https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2367-backstroke-three-point-lane-line)

In backstroke, one of the most important things to teach early is a bent arm catch.

Why do it:
A bent arm, rather than a straight arm, gives you more power to push the water back, so it’s more productive.  Young swimmers sometimes use a straight arm because it FEELS more powerful when it’s just hard to do.

How to do it:
While this is actually a four-step focus, we’ll get the most used part out of the way first.  When you see this, DON’T think you can use this to sneak in some cheating in practice, this is a drill to be used ONLY when approved by your coach.  We know those tricks.
1 - Pull on the lane line.  Yes, we’ve done this drill before, but in watching so many young swimmers still pulling with a straight arm, it’s time to revisit.
2 - Stay close to the lane line, and with the arm as extended as possible, grab the lane line and pull back.  

How to do it really well (the fine points):
We’ll cover more details on the website, but for now, stay close!  By staying close to the lane line, your arm will need to bend more.  If you’re doing this in a group setting, it’s good to do the drill with everyone in one direction while switching sides.  That way the lane line is tight for everyone the whole way.