How To Win With Feedback Part VI- Video
Many swimmers are shocked to see themselves swim.
Most swimmer have a general sense of what ‘good’ swimming should look like, and they assume they look EXACTLY like a great swimmer.
Reality can be quite the surprise.
Simply seeing yourself swim can instantly change how you swim.
As a coach, I’ve had many experiences where I was working with a swimmer to create change and all of my attempts were falling short.
Then I simply showed the swimmer a video of their swimming and was rewarded with instant change.
Words were useless. An image was everything.
One of the biggest challenges of swimming, and sports in general, is that we aren’t able to see what we’re doing. Considering how much we rely on vision for every other aspect of our lives, adding that tool to your feedback arsenal is going to be extremely helpful.
Beyond providing a different type of feedback, the great aspect of video is that it’s objective. You can judge what you look like and you don’t have to rely on someone else’s opinion.
Most swimmers are going to be their harshest critic, so seeing yourself swim is often all the motivation you’ll need to create the necessary change.
Video is a POWERFUL form of feedback.
How do you get video?
While there are expensive underwater filming systems designed for swimming, as well as options for underwater cameras typically designed for scuba diving and related activities, these are largely unnecessary.
The typical swimmer now has access to a phenomenal piece of camera technology known as the smartphone.
If you want to film yourself over the water, simply use your phone to take the video.
If you have a willing partner or coach, simply have them film your swimming from a couple different angles, preferably while you’re swimming at different speeds.
If you get really into it, it can be valuable to see what you’re swimming looks like when you’re getting tired, as this will tend to exaggerate any mistakes you’re making.
If you’re able, it’d be best to get video when you DON’T know you’re being filmed.