ReplayR for swim & track coaches

Q: What buffer length works best for swimming and track?

15 seconds covers a single discrete effort: a dive start through breakout, a tumble turn through push-off, a sprint start through the first acceleration steps, or one throw or jump. Use the 45 second free buffer if you want to keep a longer entry, such as a full 50 m sprint swim or a 100 m run.

Q: Can swimmers see the replay between sets?

Yes. Save the start or turn, walk the phone to the lane, and show it in a few seconds while the athlete is still on the wall. The correction lands before the next repeat instead of in a review session days later.

Q: Does it help with race-legal turns and starts?

Filming side-on at water level lets you check stroke count into the wall, hand-touch timing on breaststroke and butterfly, and backstroke flag-to-wall counts. For track, a side-on sprint start clip shows block clearance angle and shin angle on the first steps. ReplayR captures the footage; you make the call.

By Erwan Alliaume

TL;DR. A dive start is 3 to 6 seconds from block to breakout. A tumble turn is over in 2. A sprint start through the first acceleration steps is 4 to 8. These are short, repeatable, individually-timed efforts, exactly what a rolling buffer is built for. Mount the phone at the blocks, keep a 15 second buffer, save between heats, and show the swimmer or sprinter the rep on the wall or at the line. On-device only: no cloud, no minor's footage leaving the pool deck.

Why swim and track coaches pick ReplayR

Built for short, repeated efforts

Starts, turns, and sprint blocks are discrete skills that repeat dozens of times a session. A 15 second buffer holds the whole effort with a lead-in, without recording the rest between repeats. You keep the rep, not the two-hour deck file.

Review on the wall, not at home

Save the turn, walk the phone to the lane, show it while the swimmer is still hanging on the wall. The cue lands while the feel of the push-off is fresh, which is when it changes the next repeat.

Self-paced skills suit a self-estimate

Because the athlete controls when they go, you can ask "what did that turn feel like?" before showing the clip. Comparing their guess to the video trains error detection, the skill they rely on at a meet with no coach on the deck.

No cloud, no minor footage online

Footage stays on the device. That matters for under-18 squads, pool operators with strict camera rules, and parents who do not want their child's training clips in a third-party account.

Event setup

Dive starts (swimming)

Mount: tripod side-on to the blocks, lens near water level to read entry angle.
Buffer: 15 s covers the set position through breakout.
Resolution: 1080p; 60 fps if you want smooth slow-motion on entry.
Save: watch tap as the swimmer surfaces into the first strokes.

Turns (swimming)

Mount: side-on to the turning wall, framed on the last 5 m and the push-off.
Buffer: 15 s captures the wall approach through the underwater push.
Resolution: 1080p for stroke count into the wall and foot plant.
Save: watch tap once the swimmer breaks out of the turn.

Sprint starts (track)

Mount: side-on to the blocks, far enough to keep the first 4 to 5 steps in frame.
Buffer: 15 s covers set position through the acceleration phase.
Resolution: 1080p at 60 fps for shin angle and block clearance.
Save: watch tap after the first few steps.

Jumps & throws (track & field)

Mount: side-on to the runway or circle to capture the full approach.
Buffer: 15 s for a jump approach and take-off; one throw fits easily.
Resolution: 1080p for plant foot, take-off angle, or release.
Save: watch tap on landing or release.

A typical start-and-turn session

Set the tripod once at the blocks or the turning wall.
App opens, recording starts, screen sleeps, a power bank covers a long session on deck.
Swimmer goes. You watch the live effort, not a screen.
Tap the watch as they break out. 15 s saved.
Walk to the lane, show the rep, give one cue before the next repeat.
Move the tripod to the far wall for turn work and repeat.
End of session: a folder of 25 saved starts and turns, not one endless deck recording.

FAQ

What buffer length works best for swimming and track?

15 s covers a single start, turn, sprint block, throw, or jump with a lead-in. Use the 45 s free buffer if you want a longer entry such as a full 50 m swim or a 100 m run.

Can swimmers see the replay between sets?

Yes. Save, walk the phone to the lane, and show it while the swimmer is still on the wall. The feedback loop closes before the next repeat.

Does it help with race-legal turns and starts?

Filming side-on at water level lets you check hand-touch timing, stroke count into the wall, and backstroke flag counts. For track, a side-on start clip shows block clearance and shin angle. ReplayR captures it; you make the call.

Is footage safe for under-18 athletes?

Yes, ReplayR is on-device only. Nothing uploads. The coach controls who sees the phone and when clips are deleted.

How ReplayR compares for swim and track coaching

Criterion	ReplayR	Coach's Eye	Dartfish Express
Price	Pay once, keep forever	$9.99/month	$12.99/month
Works offline on deck	✓ Fully offline	✗ Requires internet	✗ Requires internet
Instant replay (no save needed)	✓ Rolling buffer	✗ Must save first	✗ Must save first
Slow-motion playback	✓ Included	✓ Included	✓ Included
Video annotation	✗ Not included	✓ Drawing tools	✓ Drawing tools