The
use of video/camcorder technology has revolutionised
sports science. No longer is the use of video analysis
restricted to elite athletes and the scientific
laboratory. Now, not only does the athlete get to see
themselves as others do, but the ability to have instant
playback, freeze-frame and slow-motion video enables
detailed analysis of technique, identification of weak
points and comparison with better players.
Related
Links
I have several video clips online as well
as an example Video Analysis,
other reference material
and pictures of the NI Teams
I've found that there are certain angles and simple techniques
that work best when capturing bowlers on video. We use these
angles in formal analysis, video can be used at any time though.
These techniques are listed below. Proper prior preparation, as
they say...
Preparation
It's
best to do serious video work at a quiet time
when you can get a couple of lanes side-by-side with no
interference from other players. Book your lanes in
advance with the centre and ask their permission to move
around (I like to go down the lanes to shoot from the
front too). Remember safety too, do
not stand in the gutter when shooting from the front
unless you enjoy trips to the local hospital.
Briefing
Make
sure the athlete understands the purpose of the session
and is comfortable. If the person has not been
filmed before it's natural for them to feel nervous and
self-conscious. For a first time video I ask people to be
natural, not to try and do anything differently (makes
for truer comparisons over a few months) and not to worry
about the occassional "bad" shot. We capture
several shots to ensure a true representation and if the
video is to be of use it's best that we capture the bad
shots - no one person (even the pro's) is perfect after
all.
Equipment
An
ordinary VHS camera is usually more than sufficient. SVHS/Hi-8
or Digital video will naturally result in higher quality
pictures. Probably the most useful feature is a flip-out
LCD screen so you can playback the shot on-the-lanes
without the need for a bulky monitor. On board
slow-motion and frame-advance allows for detailed
analysis on the lanes. A remote control for the camera is
useful. Stop the recording between shots. For a formal
analysis a tripod and lighting is essential - I like to
use video to provide a benchmark, i.e. compare tapes of
the same player over a period of months: if the camera is
at a different angle, shaking or poorly lit comparisons
are much harder to do. Using extra lighting enables
higher shutter speeds, the default 1/25, 1/30 or 1/60th
of a second shutter speed is not enough and results in
blurred pictures at the moment of release. I like to use
1/100th of a second, if you can get adequate lighting
1/500s will remove all blur. Unfortunately I've not been
able to find a video camera capable of recording at high
speed for extra crisp slow motion, e.g. the release
occurs in about four frames at 1/25s! To aid comparisons
at a later date make sure the date is captured on the
film.
Use
side, front and back angles. From the side place the
tripod about three feet back from the foul line at shoulder
height. Shoot right handers from the right side and on a right
hand lane (so ball return doesn't obscure start of approach).
Left handers from the left. You will be standing on the approach
for another lane, hence the need to do this at a quiet time.
Use back,
front and side angles. From the back/front look at the
direction of the swing, does it go out/in, in/out, is it in the
"pro-groove". Does the body get in the way of the
swing. From the side look at the style, is it loose and free or
muscled, forced.
Again use
a side angle here. We're interested in the full
approach, from first step/pushaway all the way to the follow
through. Look at the position of the ball in each of the steps -
is the timing early/late, stroker/roller/cranker.
You can also view an illustration
of Timing from start to finish
I like to
shoot from the front here - it creates less blurring
because the hand is coming towards the camera, use a higher
shuter speed nonetheless. From about forty foot away zoom in
close on the release. If you shoot from the side you'll need a
shutter speed of 1/200th-1/500th of a second and good lighting:
from front or back you can get by with 1/100th-1/200th of a
second. (see note about safety)
Capture
the ball motion from behind, with the camera low down on
the lane. For motion analysis use coloured tape to mark the
bowlers positive axis poind and use a longer piece of tape to
count/compute rev rate.
Use
side, front and back angles. From the side place the
tripod about three feet back from the foul line at shoulder
height. Shoot right handers from the right side and on a right
hand lane (so ball return doesn't obscure start of approach).
Left handers from the left. You will be standing on the approach
for another lane, hence the need to do this at a quiet time.
Use back,
front and side angles. From the back/front look at the
direction of the swing, does it go out/in, in/out, is it in the
"pro-groove". Does the body get in the way of the
swing. From the side look at the style, is it loose and free or
muscled, forced.
Again use
a side angle here. We're interested in the full
approach, from first step/pushaway all the way to the follow
through. Look at the position of the ball in each of the steps -
is the timing early/late, stroker/roller/cranker.
I like to
shoot from the front here - it creates less blurring
because the hand is coming towards the camera, use a higher
shuter speed nonetheless. From about forty foot away zoom in
close on the release. If you shoot from the side you'll need a
shutter speed of 1/200th-1/500th of a second and good lighting:
from front or back you can get by with 1/100th-1/200th of a
second. (see note about safety)
Capture
the ball motion from behind, with the camera low down on
the lane. For motion analysis use coloured tape to mark the
bowlers positive axis poind and use a longer piece of tape to
count/compute rev rate.
An
ordinary VHS camera is usually more than sufficient. SVHS/Hi-8
or Digital video will naturally result in higher quality
pictures. Probably the most useful feature is a flip-out
LCD screen so you can playback the shot on-the-lanes
without the need for a bulky monitor. On board
slow-motion and frame-advance allows for detailed
analysis on the lanes. A remote control for the camera is
useful. Stop the recording between shots. For a formal
analysis a tripod and lighting is essential - I like to
use video to provide a benchmark, i.e. compare tapes of
the same player over a period of months: if the camera is
at a different angle, shaking or poorly lit comparisons
are much harder to do. Using extra lighting enables
higher shutter speeds, the default 1/25, 1/30 or 1/60th
of a second shutter speed is not enough and results in
blurred pictures at the moment of release. I like to use
1/100th of a second, if you can get adequate lighting
1/500s will remove all blur. Unfortunately I've not been
able to find a video camera capable of recording at high
speed for extra crisp slow motion, e.g. the release
occurs in about four frames at 1/25s! To aid comparisons
at a later date make sure the date is captured on the
film.