Benefits of skiing video-analysis

Video feedback has actually been scientifically proven to work. Romack & Valentine (2005) have written a great article The Strength and Conditioning Journal on the studies that have proven the benefits of video feedback to help athletes in acquiring skills faster.

As athletes/skiers get better, it is more difficult to analyze technique and tactics with the naked eye. That is why at this level the amount of video matters a lot.

Most of the time when coaches analyze videos, their main focus is on mistakes. Showing them what moves they are doing well and reinforcing them is extremely good.

Romack & Valentine (2005) advise in their review article to make use of slow motion when analysing fast, complex technical skills. 

According to them, numerous studies have found that video of successful performances can allow some athletes to refocus their attention and optimise their arousal levels for their next performance. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

-Nicholls, S. B., James, N., Bryant, E., & Wells, J. (2019). The implementation of performance analysis and feedback within Olympic sport: The performance analyst’s perspective. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 14(1), 63–71. Check the article here
-Barry D. Wilson (2008) Development in video technology for coaching, Sports Technology, 1:1, 34-40

How It Works – FAQ

-How can I send you my ski footage?

You can easily send me your ski videos through this form or email it to me at info@fedewenzelski.com. If your video file is too large for email, it’s free and easy to send via https://wetransfer.com/

Then you will receive a secure payment link by email. A payment of 99 USD per video analysis session is payable in advance. Payment is easy and secure.

-How do I get my video analysis?

Within 1-4 days after payment, you will receive a https://wetransfer.com/ link from where you can download your analysis video (The feedback video is about 20 minutes long). The written training plan will be sent by email.

-Do the clips need to have a certain quality or format?

No. The clips do not have to be of great quality. Smartphones, Compact Cameras, are ideal.

-What should I consider when I have myself filmed?

• Choose a run that you can ski safely and confidently on.
• The trail shouldn’t have lateral inclination (AKA “Double Fall Line”) and provide a safe spot for the cameraman to film. Ideally, even surface without rollers.
• Before you start your run make sure you have enough space and that no one is coming from behind or the sides.
• Do some practice runs filmed too, to overcome “camera shyness” that could make you underperform and lower your skiing level.
• Ideally, the cameraman should film from the rear, following the skier with enough space. Those videos are the best to see all the movements of the skier. You don’t need to do anything special or try to impress the camera. Just do some normal turns, safely and control your speed (try not to get faster and faster). Stop safely a few turns further down, at the sides of the run.

You can send me footage of one specific discipline that you would like to get more feedback on. It would be helpful to have at least one run of you doing medium radius turns on a groomed run.

-How much footage do you need?

One run and a few turns towards the camera should already do the trick.

-Why should I have my skiing analyzed?

The first step to ski improvement is always to help you understand and see what you are doing and how you could optimize it. This applies to the recreational skier as well as the professional.
Same as with the instructional ski videos the online skiing video analysis should not replace a ski lesson or coaching on snow but should complement it. Finally, with footage, the improvements in your skiing level become provable and easily recognizable.

“Good movement analysis has to have a keen eye and a touch of physics”