Dartfish Case study in Canoeing - Julia Wells, Performance Analyst, English Institute of Sport

by Julia Wells, EIS In 2004 I started working for the English Institute of Sport as a Performance Analyst and was appointed to provide performance analysis services to the sport of Canoe/Kayak Slalom. Great Britain Canoe/Kayak Slalom team has been using Dartfish for over 6 years in their World Class Coaching Programme. They have produced Olympic medalists in both kayak and canoe classes over the past Olympic cycles with the latest being a Silver in Beijing by David Florence (single canoe class). The use of Dartfish is filtered down through the whole world class programme (Podium to Development programmes) and plays an important role in aiding the coaching process during both competition and training environments. HOW DARTFISH IS USED The coaches use Dartfish on a daily basis to enhance their key coaching messages through visual interpretation. The main functions used are the DV Import, Player and Analyzer modules. The coaches use the DV Import module during key training sessions. To import video through Dartfish is extremely easy and involves a quick process to turn footage around for viewing. This is an important benefit to the coaches who are always looking for an immediate impact which doesn't negatively effect the coaching session for the athlete. This means that they can use Dartfish during a session down at the river bank and immediately post session back in the coach's office. During competitions the DV Import module is used as the main capture source within a very large set-up involving a minimum of three camera positions along the slalom course. The competition video set up is run by a minimum of four people (1 capturing and 3 camera operators). Thisensures that quality coverage of the performance is captured for effective coaching feedback on technique/tactics. In both canoe and kayak slalom the competition format is the same, involving 2 qualification runs and a semi-final and final run. This means that between runs there is a window of opportunity for coaching impact through the use of Dartfish. The video is captured via the 3 camera set-up and copied across to coach's laptops within minutes. This is when the analyzer module plays its part... In the analyzer the coaches have the flexibility to play any clip and make quick comparisons across a number of performances. The minute detail is explored by slow motion and frame by frame playback of key areas of the course that require fine technical wizardry. The ability to synchronize clips enables coaches to identify specific time losses and gains from any position on the course... a very powerful tool for canoe/kayak slalom. Having all these tools in the bag for the GB canoe/kayak slalom coaches is invaluable and combined with the experience that they have ensures that they have more understanding in how to use these tools to have the positive impact on performance. Being an outdoor sport there are many challenges that the analyst/coach is faced with when videoing canoe/kayak slalom. Therefore it is important to prepare equipment needs well before a session/competition. WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT DARTFISH "Dartfish enables me to find a way to measure and track my progress on making technical improvements." David Florence, GB Canoe Slalom athlete, Olympic Silver Medalist 2008 "I use Dartfish in head-to-head mode to analyse boat position and stroke timing on an almost daily basis in training, and more importantly, at all races. With time constraints and the added pressure of a race day environment, the intuitive user interface allows me to quickly find the information I need to know about both my performance, and that of the opposition." Campbell Walsh, GB Kayak Slalom athlete, Olympic Silver Medalist 2004, European Champion 2008 To view the full case study, please click here. Dartfish, Video Software Solutions