Telestration is the practice of drawing over video to explain what is happening in a movement. The term comes from the telestrator, a device popularized in sports broadcasting that let commentators sketch over replays. In coaching and movement analysis, the same idea is used to make feedback visual and specific.
Typical marks include straight lines, angles, circles, arrows, rectangles, freehand paths, and timing markers. They are usually drawn on a paused frame and may be combined with spoken commentary in an exported clip.
Common Uses
- Drawing a reference line along the spine, shaft, or lower leg to show alignment
- Marking a joint angle at a key position, such as impact or foot contact
- Circling the area of the body the athlete should focus on
- Tracing the path of the hands, bar, or ball across several frames
- Highlighting differences between two repetitions
Practical Tips
- Pause on a clearly defined event before drawing, so marks refer to a specific moment
- Keep the number of marks small; one or two clear cues are easier to act on than a crowded frame
- Use consistent colors for the same meaning, such as one color for the current rep and another for the target
- Level the camera when filming if lines are meant to represent true vertical or horizontal
- Keep camera placement the same across sessions so drawings can be compared meaningfully
Common Pitfalls
A line drawn on the screen describes the two-dimensional image, not necessarily the true orientation of a body segment in space. If the camera is tilted or oblique to the movement, a line or angle can look different from the real position. Drawings also reflect the judgment of the person placing them, so landmarks should be chosen consistently.
In KineVision, lines, angles, timers, and other drawing tools can be placed on paused frames, and annotated clips can be exported and shared. Telestration is most useful when it supports a clear coaching point rather than decorating the video.