Video Breakdown: What Coaches Watch For
Understanding how college coaches analyze swing videos in recruiting
Coach Video Analysis Process
First 30 Seconds
- • Overall athletic posture and setup
- • Rhythm and tempo of swing
- • Balance throughout the motion
- • General swing plane and path
- • Follow-through and finish position
Detailed Analysis
- • Specific technical flaws
- • Compensations and adjustments
- • Consistency across multiple swings
- • Potential for improvement
- • Coachability indicators
Technical Elements Coaches Evaluate
Fundamentals (High Priority)
Setup and Posture
- • Proper spine angle and alignment
- • Balanced weight distribution
- • Consistent ball position
- • Appropriate grip pressure
Swing Plane
- • On-plane backswing
- • Proper downswing path
- • Consistent attack angle
- • Efficient swing geometry
Swing Sequence (Medium Priority)
Backswing
- • Proper shoulder turn
- • Wrist hinge timing
- • Hip restriction
- • Club position at top
Downswing
- • Lower body initiation
- • Proper weight transfer
- • Lag maintenance
- • Impact position
Style Elements (Lower Priority)
Personal Characteristics
- • Swing length and width
- • Tempo preferences
- • Individual timing
- • Natural rhythm
Aesthetic Factors
- • Swing appearance
- • Finish position
- • Overall flow
- • Visual impression
Common Red Flags
Technical Red Flags
Severe Over-the-Top
Indicates major swing path issues that are difficult to fix
Reverse Pivot
Weight moving away from target, limiting power and consistency
Excessive Lateral Movement
Sway or slide that affects timing and contact
Poor Balance
Falling off shots or unable to hold finish
Improvement Concerns
Multiple Compensations
Complex swing requiring extensive rebuilding
Inconsistent Fundamentals
Setup and basics vary significantly between swings
Limited Athletic Ability
Stiff or unnatural movement patterns
Tempo Issues
Inconsistent rhythm or timing problems
Positive Indicators
Technical Strengths
Solid Fundamentals
Good setup, posture, and basic mechanics
Consistent Tempo
Repeatable rhythm and timing
Athletic Motion
Natural, fluid movement with good balance
Proper Sequencing
Good kinetic chain and power transfer
Improvement Potential
Minor Adjustments
Small tweaks that could yield big improvements
Good Foundation
Strong base to build upon
Physical Capability
Athletic ability to make necessary changes
Consistency
Repeatable patterns that can be refined
Video Quality Requirements
Technical Specifications
Camera Setup
- • 1080p minimum resolution
- • 60fps for slow-motion analysis
- • Tripod-mounted for stability
- • Proper lighting (no shadows)
Viewing Angles
- • Down-the-line view (behind golfer)
- • Face-on view (front of golfer)
- • Both angles for driver and iron
- • Full swing visible in frame
Content Guidelines
Swing Samples
- • 3-5 consecutive swings per angle
- • Driver and 7-iron minimum
- • Recent footage (within 6 months)
- • Normal practice swings, not "perfect" setup
Video Length
- • 2-3 minutes maximum total
- • 30-45 seconds per angle/club
- • No music or effects
- • Include ball flight when possible
What Not to Include
Video Content to Avoid
- • Trick shots or specialty shots
- • Heavily edited or slow-motion only
- • Multiple different locations
- • Poor lighting or camera angles
- • Distracting background elements
- • Commentary or instruction during swings
Common Mistakes
- • Only showing your best swings
- • Rushing through setup routine
- • Focusing only on full swings
- • Using old footage
- • Poor camera positioning
- • Including irrelevant content
Coach Perspective: What They're Really Looking For
Coach Quote - Mark Davis, University of Georgia
"I'm not looking for perfection in swing videos. I want to see a solid foundation and the potential for improvement. A player with good fundamentals and minor flaws is often more appealing than someone with a 'perfect' swing that might be maxed out."
Coach Quote - Lisa Rodriguez, Stanford University
"The swing video gives me insight into coachability. I can see if a player has been working on the right things and if they have the athletic ability to make the changes we might need at the college level."