1- A video tells the stroke story- Coaches don’t resonate in words with every swimmer. Their analysis alongside a quick video will help convey the message.
2- Less gear– Beyond the camera, a coach needs a mount, memory cards, and eventually a computer to display the filmed segment. A phone is all of these in one, especially with the many waterproof phones and casing options.
3- Quick playback– The elaborate camera and computer filming requires another location for analysis, likely dry and away from the water. With a good phone screen the swimmer can stay in the water. The coach just turns the portable screen down to the swimmer at poolside. The ability to slow and freeze-frame is native to most phones.
4- Instantaneous Feedback– The coach can quickly show a swimmer their stroke from a previous length within seconds. The swimmer can attempt changes and potentially another round of feedback.
5- Film at any time– A camera following an athlete down the pool or while they are secluded in a lane is less realistic footage. With a phone, the coach can quickly film the swimmer at any stage of a workout.
6- Sharing the footage– Swimmer’s footage is often lost on memory cards and often never seen beyond the filming session. Sending an athlete their swim segments via a bluetooth app can let them see their swims in the days after. The swimmer can keep their own library of footage for future comparisons.