Name of app: Hudl Technique
Cost: Free for iPhone, iPad, and Android. Subscription options are Elite yearly at $54.99; and Elite monthly at $8.49.
Target Audience: Ages 12+ (Grades 7-8). This app may assist students with motor skills disorders (e.g., Developmental Coordination Disorder) and student-athletes.
Where to get it: Available in the App Store and on Google Play.
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Description: This app allows physical education teachers and coaches to analyze and improve students/athletes’ performance using the following features:
Slow motion playback
Videos can be (re-)played at four speeds (i.e., 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:8) for users to detect errors and make corrections.
Drawing notes
Videos can be made into lessons with comments, drawings, angles, and voiceovers for students/athletes to review.
Side-by-side playback
Two videos can be played simultaneously to compare with previous performances or other players.
Community feedback
Videos can be shared with other users for feedback, generating a databank of video resources to learn from.
Boston Renegades: Blind Baseball Team Using Video Analysis
Classroom Integration:
In special education, Hudl Technique may be helpful for students with motor skills disorders in order to record and track progress in fundamental movement skills (e.g., squat, lunge, run, jump, throw). Hudl Technique may also be integrated in a physical education class to support and engage all students. Students have the option to record, replay, and analyze their skills. In the process, students may reflect and develop self-awareness of their movement patterns, muscle function, and anatomy. Students may also use the app to provide peer feedback. Multiple videos can be uploaded and shared within a team or class. By using video analysis software, teachers can help students improve their performance by identifying strategies to improve technique in various skills. Furthermore, biomechanical analysis, feedback, and correction may help prevent injuries from compensation errors (e.g., misaligned joints).
According to Foster (2009), “Not only do video projects enhance learning, they bring technology into the classroom; allow students to prepare and deliver on-camera presentations so that they can critique themselves; give students insight into their teaching performance; and, provide an opportunity to identify and address areas of weakness.”
Review:
Hudl Technique is comparable to high performance video analysis software such as Dartfish and Coach’s Eye with similar features. The app is best used by teachers and coaches with a background in physical education, kinesiology, fitness or personal training in order to detect movement errors. That being said, slow-motion analysis can still provide valuable insight for general users to develop self-awareness. The free version of this app does not allow users to save drawings on their videos; however, users can work around this inconvenience by capturing a screenshot of their drawing on the device (hold “home” button and “hold” button on the iPhone or iPad). Overall, the app is user-friendly with tutorials available in-app and on Youtube.
Reference
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Foster, B. (2009). Using digital video recorders in physical education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 80(1), 17-21.
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Hudl. (2016). Hudl – We help teams and athletes win. Retrieved from http://www.hudl.com/
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Hudl Technique. (2014, August 7). Boston renegades: Blind baseball team using video analysis [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnEp0PYeAeg