When an athlete sends me a video for analysis, it’s not just another clip — it’s the window into how they move, think, and perform.
Whether it’s a swing, a stride, or a shot, every movement tells a story. My job is to read that story, identify what’s helping or hurting performance, and translate it into simple, actionable feedback.
Over the years, I’ve developed a precise checklist that I go through before reviewing any training video. It ensures I catch every detail that matters and give the athlete clear, measurable steps to improve.
Here’s exactly how I do it.
Step 1: Context Before Content
Before I even press play, I always ask for a few details:
- Sport and position: The movements I’ll be watching depend heavily on context — a soccer midfielder moves differently than a basketball point guard or a baseball shortstop.
- Skill goal: What are we trying to improve? Shooting accuracy? Power? Control?
- Game or practice? Footage from live play shows different body patterns than isolated drills.
- Athlete’s age and experience level: Younger players need simpler cues, while advanced athletes might need technical refinement.
This background helps me know what “good” looks like for that specific athlete — not just by general standards, but by where they are in their development.
Step 2: Video Setup & Quality Check
Even the best feedback depends on what I can actually see. So before analyzing:
- Camera angle: I prefer a full-body view, from a stable camera, ideally waist-high.
- Lighting: Good visibility of movement (natural or well-lit indoor space).
- Frame rate: Smooth video helps me pause and slow down movement for micro-corrections.
- Duration: I ask for 10–20 seconds max — enough to observe full repetitions without unnecessary filler.
If the video misses key angles, I’ll request another. A clean setup saves time and produces more accurate feedback.
Step 3: First Impressions Pass
The first watch is all about feel.
I note immediate impressions — rhythm, control, posture, effort, and balance. I watch how the athlete transitions between movements, how relaxed or tense they look, and how naturally the technique flows.
This pass tells me whether the issue is mechanical (body alignment) or psychological (confidence, hesitation, or fatigue).
Step 4: Slow Motion & Frame-by-Frame Breakdown
Next, I go deep.
Using slow motion or frame advance, I break down each phase of the movement:
- Setup: stance, balance, hand/foot position
- Initiation: how the athlete starts the motion — controlled or rushed
- Execution: power transfer, sequencing, coordination
- Follow-through: balance, posture, recovery
This step exposes patterns most athletes don’t notice. Maybe the lead foot opens too early, or the follow-through cuts short. Sometimes a single angle adjustment changes everything.
Step 5: Compare With “Optimal Form” Benchmarks
I always have a reference model for each sport and movement — not a pro athlete copy-paste, but a realistic, age-appropriate comparison.
For example:
- In soccer, I look at plant-foot placement during shots.
- In baseball, hip rotation and head stability at contact.
- In basketball, release timing and shooting arc consistency.
These references give me measurable standards for progress — not perfection, just improvement.
Step 6: Identify One or Two Key Fixes
The biggest mistake coaches make is overloading athletes with corrections.
Instead, I pick one or two primary adjustments that will unlock the biggest gains.
For example:
- “Start your motion half a second slower to stabilize your balance.”
- “Lock your plant foot before striking.”
- “Keep your shoulders level through the follow-through.”
We then build short, focused drills around those fixes to create quick wins and visible improvement.
Step 7: Text + Video Feedback Delivery
After completing the analysis, I send the athlete a detailed text summary plus supporting visuals:
- Bullet-point breakdown of what I saw
- Key focus for the week
- A short drill or repetition plan
- If needed, a recorded clip showing corrections in action
That combination — written feedback + visual demonstration — ensures athletes understand exactly what to do next.
Step 8: Follow-Up & Progress Check
A few days later, I ask for an updated video.
We compare side-by-side: before and after.
Seeing improvement on-screen builds motivation, accountability, and confidence — especially for younger athletes who might not feel the change yet but can clearly see it.
This constant loop — feedback, practice, review — is what drives results faster than traditional once-a-week lessons.
Why This Checklist Matters
Families often assume “private coaching” means paying for more hours.
In reality, the real advantage comes from precision feedback, not more time.
This checklist allows me to deliver that precision — fast, efficiently, and at a fraction of the cost of in-person sessions.
In Los Altos (and everywhere I coach), parents tell me the same thing:
“We’ve never seen coaching this clear, this personal, and this affordable.”
That’s exactly what I aim for every time I press play.
Ready to See It for Yourself?
Try my process for free — no commitments, no contracts.
Send me one short video of your athlete, and I’ll show you exactly how I analyze it using the checklist above.
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Real analysis. Real feedback. Real improvement — right from your phone.
