What Should You Analyze in Track and Field?
Track and field performance depends on small technical details that can be difficult to identify in real time. Video analysis gives coaches the opportunity to review an athlete’s movement frame by frame, measure key performance indicators and compare different attempts over time.
Depending on the event, coaches can focus on different elements of performance. For sprinters, this might include the starting position, block clearance, acceleration, stride length or body angles. For jumpers, the approach rhythm, take-off position and body alignment can be analyzed. In throwing events, video can help evaluate the different phases of the movement, from the preparation and rotation to the release.
Start With the Right Video
Effective performance analysis starts before you open any analysis tool: it starts with how you film the athlete. Camera position, angle, distance, stability and frame rate all influence what you will be able to observe and measure afterwards.
For example, analyzing sprint mechanics, take-off angles or throwing technique requires footage captured from the right perspective. Poor positioning can make comparisons less reliable and important technical details harder to identify.
Before analyzing your athletes, take a look at our Athlete Performance Filming Tips guide. It explains how to capture clearer and more consistent footage, giving you a stronger foundation for accurate track and field performance analysis.
Once your footage is ready, you can use Dartfish to review movements frame by frame, compare performances, measure key elements and give athletes more precise visual feedback.
With the myDartfish Express: Coach app, you can quickly analyze a few indicators on your phone or tablet. The app is handy to give athletes immediate feedback on their performance during training sessions.
Slow-motion, zoom, or frame-by-frame replay allows us to see the athlete’s movement in detail. This is very useful for giving immediate feedback to our athlete, right after a performance.
Before analysis, it’s important to really take great video and pictures of your athletes’ performance.
The myDartfish 360 computer solution allows coaches to go further with indicator analysis.
Knee position is essential during the set. It allows the sprinter to reach greater propulsion on the rear block during the sprint start.
Comparing two performances in split-screen allows highlighting of improvement. In this example, we can see how this runner, has improved her angle, after a training session with Pose Method®.
Learn best practice to measure Track & Field performance, in this blog paper >
