Video has been a big deal in rowing since the days of the 8mm camera and even as the cameras get better, there are still some neat tricks that date back at least to the days of the bulky, VHS-tape-inside cameras that really brought the practice of watching video right after a practice to boathouses all across the country.

Camera-crosshairs
Using some clear tape or a screen protector with a reference line on it can really help you frame your video, and even help you make easier comparisions of form from clip to clip. Some cameras have this feature built in, but it is a simple hack to add your own. A horizontal line gives you a place to set the gunwale of the boat, ensuring that you are getting a similar view each time, and even helps steady the shot by giving you a reference point. A vertical line or two can be used to frame a single athlete or a pair--and we have even seen set-ups where a few crossing lines can help frame the shot in such a way that you get a similarly sized view of your rowers even if some video is shot from further away.

Stripes, Stripes, Stripes
We'll confess to swiping this one from a coach who uses it all the time: stripes on unis or leggings can really pop out in video to illustrate body angle, full slide compression, and even the speed and sync of the leg drive and swing. Even lettering on a shirt can become a coachable focus point in a video session, by giving you a way to capture and illustrate finish height.

To Zoom or Not to Zoom
Definitely to "not to" . . . even really fancy cameras with all sorts of image stabilizing still work way better and are far less shaky when you are physically up close and not relying on the zooming. So get a good driver, pull in tight, and forget that the zooming in is even an option. Your video will instantly be way better.

Get a good angle
Find the angle that shows you want you want to see: be perpendicular to the rowers to film body preparation and power application, or fall back and line up just off the stroke bade to shoot a quartering shot that shows the bladework and how folks are coming into the catch. If you want to really commit to a shot full of useful info, try dispatching a loyal video helper to a bridge and have then shoot straight down as the crew rows underneath. That will be a short clip, but it will tell you a ton about the angles at work on your crew.

Lock it in
When you do find the right angle to film from, make sure you can pretty easily keep yourself locked in on that spot. A great example would be lining up the knees/bolt points on the gunwales--or the crossbar in a winged boat--to make sure your shot is perfectly perpendicular to the action. The "camera crosshairs" trick can help with this, of course, and so can a steady hand on the throttle.