Introducing Total Immersion Video Coaching

Want to make sure you’re swimming the TI Way – but you don’t have a TI coach close by to give feedback on your stroke? Video stroke analysis is one of the most powerful forms of feedback on your technique. We can now offer you expert feedback and a personalized prescription for improving your technique via TI Video Coaching.

To take advantage, just follow our instructions for shooting video of your stroke, mail us the tape and within a week, we’ll return a detailed analysis of what you’re doing right, what your major improvement opportunities are and how to make those changes. You’ll receive a detailed written analysis and prescription, which will include suggestions for TI drills, whole-stroke focal points, and forms of practice that address your specific stroke characteristics. Regardless of how you’re swimming now, TI Video Coaching will help you swim faster, smarter, more efficiently and practice more effectively.

Total Immersion Video Coaching
Visual feedback is the most powerful way to learn, yet few swimmers ever see how they really swim. To get the most out of your TI Video Coaching, please review the following suggestions before getting videotaped. When we receive your video, we’ll do a thorough review, using slow-motion and stop-action to examine your form and identify your prime opportunities to improve it. We also invite you to tell us which aspects of your stroke you would like us to give particular attention to. In most cases we’ll analyze your video and return a detailed report – via email – within days of receiving it.

Coaching Fee
For an extended time, we are offering complete analysis of the freestyle stroke for one person for $50. You can add select TI freestyle drills to the same tape for analysis for an additional $10 per drill or an additional $50 for any number of drills. Additional swimmers may be added to the same tape and analyzed for a 10% discount from the rate for the initial swimmer. If including additional swimmers, shoot all footage for the first swimmer, then all footage for the next, etc.

Video Format: Mini-DV or VHS.

Shooting Surface Video – Use a tripod if possible, for the steadiest possible shot.

From the side of the pool
The best swimming position is usually in the second lane from the side. Set the tight/wide adjustment on the camcorder so that when passing closest to the camcorder, the swimmer’s body completely fills the viewing frame, with hands and feet just inside the edges of the shot. Position the camcorder at 4 to 5 feet above the water surface. The swimmer should swim at moderate (or typical training) speed. Shoot one length swimming from left to right and one length swimming from right to left. On each length, include the pushoff and at least one breath taken as close to the camera as possible. If the swimmer is a bilateral breather, try to capture a right side breath close to the camera on the left-to-right length and a left side breath close to the camera on the right-to-left length.

From the end of the pool
The swimmer should swim straight toward the camcorder – which should be positioned close to the water surface. Include at least one breath within the last several strokes of the length.

Glare
For above-water video please try to avoid surface glare that may be caused by bright light from windows or fixtures. Where possible, shoot with the windows or light source at your back or at an angle that allows you to clearly see below the surface. Walk around the pool to choose your best shooting position and angles before beginning the shoot.

Underwater Videotaping Options
Underwater video unquestionably provides information that can be more valuable that what surface footage reveals. If you’re able to shoot from an underwater window, have access to an underwater camera or have a waterproof housing for your camera, you are welcome to include the same footage specified above for surface shots. The same guidelines apply for framing the shot. Position the swimmer so he or she completely fills the frame as they pass directly in front of your shooting position – this is usually 2 or 3 lanes from the wall. Try to position the camcorder or camera as close to the surface as possible.

Submitting your Video
During our initial test of this new coaching service, we will only be able to accommodate payment by check or money order. When submitting your video for analysis, please mark your videotape with your name. If more than one person’s footage is included, please list each person’s name in the order they appear. We recommend you send your video via US Postal Service Priority Mail, using a small Priority Mail shipping box available for free at your Post Office. Include a check or money order made out to Total Immersion and your name, address, phone and email address plus any comments or questions about your technique.

Mailing Address: Send your videotape, personal info and check to:
Video Coaching
Total Immersion
246 Main Street
Suite 15A
New Paltz, NY 12561

Questions?
Please email all questions and inquiries to Hashim al-Mashat at
hash@totalimmersion.net.