Choose a safe side-on position
Put the phone outside the sideline, roughly beside the area near the baseline where you expect to make contact. Aim across the court at the player. Keep the phone clear of feet, balls, court equipment, and normal movement around the fence.
A tripod helps, but a secure fence mount or stable support can work. Never balance the phone where it could fall onto the court.
Keep the full movement in frame
- Include the player’s head and both feet throughout the swing.
- Leave room for the racket at the start and end of the motion.
- Avoid placing the player at the very edge of the picture.
- Keep the horizon level and avoid an extreme upward angle.
- Record a short test before beginning the full drill.
Do not trade useful detail for extra background. Move close enough to see the player clearly while keeping every part of the swing in frame.
Use steady, even light
If possible, keep the strongest light behind or beside the phone rather than directly behind the player. Strong backlight can turn the player into a silhouette. Avoid changing angles halfway through a comparison session.
Reduce interruptions
Charge the phone, check available storage, clean the lens, and silence unnecessary notifications. On a busy court, minimize bystanders in frame and tell your practice partners you are recording.
Check privacy before recording
Tennis courts are shared spaces. Get permission from people who are intentionally part of the practice, avoid recording minors or neighboring courts without appropriate consent, and follow the facility’s camera rules.
Keep the setup repeatable
Use an existing court feature to remember the phone position, then hit from the same area when comparing sessions. A similar distance and angle make changes easier to see.