If you are not redirected automatically, follow this link to example.

logo actionstick
    Contact · fred(at)animationsports.nl · +0031 (0)6-47595051 · hayo(at)animationsports.nl · +0031 (0)6 33401109




Supplier Actionstick© monopods.

A unique way to set up your camera quick and easy 4 to 6 meter high.

Perfect for all sports (and events):
- for organizations starting with or expanding video analysis,
- coaches wishing to record matches and trainingsessions,
- players wanting to record themselves for progession and portfolio sake,
and of course...
- for parents recording those fine moments (it's that easy!).

News

We have a new website and domainname: please visit www.actionstick.nl

The Actionstick© monopod: filming from up high.

Every analysis depends on good quality footage, filmed from height. Period.

For this reason we developed the Actionstick©. Unlike any other monopod (or mast pole) the Actionstick© uses existing high - metallic - structures along pitches e.g. lighting poles and nettingframes behind the goals or even streetlanterns. Record everywhere along the pitch: home and away.
The Actionstick© works with actioncamera's and many other lightweight configurations e.g. gimbals and handheldcamera's.
A camera is easily placed at 4 to 6 meters high: this guaranties a clear view of team tasks, player movements, unused spaces etc.

The Actionstick excells in speed of set up: click and mount with magnets.

See instruction movie
* Current Actionsticks differ slightly from the type shown in the clip.

...from the corner of the pitch 6 metres high up...

Recorded with Actionstick© + actioncamera. The actual of this video frame is full HD (1080 x 720 pixels), that is 2x larger than this image.

The corner of the pitch ensures a perfect view for a fixed camera setup.
Click picture to enlarge.

Step 1: your eye in the sky!

Recording: what camera do I need?

Making a decision...

Our monopods are suitable for most actioncams, actioncams + gimbal, cameragimbals and some handheld camera's.
Brands come and go, but these should be the most important characteristics for your camera:
- remotely controllable (stable Wi-Fi app on your mobile or tablet, or physical joystick control),
- battery power,
- lense settings (wide, medium, narrow + horizon correction).

Fixed camera

Point and shoot: using an actioncam does not require a cameraman. This is the most basic way for creating footage suitable for analysis.
Even the coach him/ herself can do the set-up and then focus solely on coaching. See picture below.

...point and shoot en focus op coaching...

Photo: here the camera is operated by the coach via mobile tucked away in his jacket pocket. All focus on coaching the lads!

Adjustable camera

Quality actioncams (e.g. GoPro, Sony and Garmin) can be used with a gimbal. Gimbal configurations require someone controlling the camera during the game.
See an example of this below. The Removu K1 all-in-one cameragimbal is app operated by swiping your mobile or tabletdevice.
If gameplay is followed the preferable place for the Actionstick© along the middle of the pitch.
We tested also GoPro + Feiyutech G5 gimbal, and Garmin Ultra + Removu S1 gimbal.
Keep in mind these are just examples of gear that works. As stated above, brands and cameratypes come and go.
Note that we de not promote any particular brand.

...easy does it 4 to 6 metres high up...

Detail: A Removu K1 mounted on an Actionstick and two Actionsticks© ready for transport Belgium after testing.

Example following the game

* The footage was shot with a Garmin Ultra + LanParte gimbal. Current Actionsticks differ slightly from the type shown in the clip.

Step 2: A fixed camera or not?

Processing footage

You have your footage, now what?

There are several ways to handle your footage, as there are many software solutions to choose from varying from webbased to local use on your computer (or both).
Our advice is to tryout different solutions first prior to purchase. It may even be that analysis software is not needed for your specific needs.
Consider the free VLS player with it's chapter functionaltiy. Handy for teamviewings is to show clips on the fly, instead of endless scrolling through footage.
Also we like the Zoomplayer from Inmatrix. A free version (14.5.0)can be downloaded here. With both solutions a small chapter file with your chosen moments is saved locally on your computer. This is a very basic way to master analyzing footage and viewing it to a team or player. If more features are necessary specific analysis software comes into focus.

een videoplayer met chapter functie

The still from this clip was made with the Actionsick + Removu K1. Footage was processed with the free Inmatrix Zoomplayer. The inset shows the chapter box with moments. Just by clicking on a specified line makes the video playhead jump to the specific moment.

Consider that using software and analyzing footage is a skill by it's own. Keep it simple if you are new to this.

Step 3: The difference between looking and seeing. Tag moments, draw conclusions, review, view...in short: analyze!

Pricing

Actionsticks © are telescopic and consists of dedicated parts, assembled in our workshop in Amsterdam.
Actionstick© €295,- (0% VAT)
For orders outside the Netherlands 0% VAT (a valid VAT number needs to be provided)
Costs for transport is not included.

Mail us for ordering


A basic Actionstick© is composed of:
- a glass fibre telescopic rod (4 metres)
- a magnetic bottom handle
- a magnetic top
- 1/4" universal camera screw


Remarks
* Upon request customization is possible, e.g. mounting solution, carbon rod, rod length etc.
* Adding bodyheight to the 4 metre pole gives an extra 2 metres.

Mounting extra's
- GoPro mount €5,-
- ballhead mount €15,-

The photo's and footage found on this site were made with actioncamera's GoPro (an outdated Hero3) and the Garmin Ultra.
Also we used the Removu K1 cameragimbal. We tested FeiyuTech G5 and G6, Removu S1 and LanParte gimbals.
Conclusion: with an Actionstick© and a quality camera, perfect footage can be me made for under the €700.

Contact

About us: Fred van Mourik is designer and creator of the Actionstick©. Fred finished Visual Communication Arts at the Willem de Kooning Academy, Rotterdam.
Many years a qualified KNVB/ UEFA coach and developer of a soccer template for Microsoft Word.
Visualize drills and more with 3D players. More info here. The page is in Dutch but the screenshots speak for themselves.

Hayo van Mourik is student en qualified KNVB soccer coach..

fred@animationsports.nl · 06-47595051
hayo@animationsports.nl · 06 33401109

We assemble and supply Actionsticks© since 2015. Users are mainly rugby, hockey and soccerclubs throughout the Netherlands and Belgium.
As our users are enthousiastic about the product we are looking forward to expand business to other countries.

Our philsophy is that video is great for - and should be part of - any sporting learning process.
The Actionstick© evolved out of a form follows function principle and can be easily handled by players themselves, involved parents or fans.

The Actionstick© allows different type of lightweight camera solutions. Even some handhelds (e.g. Canon Legria) can be mounted.
As camera types and brands come and go (as goes for software solutions) we do not promote dependency of any particular all-in-one solution. Usually these solutions come with yearly subscription costs. We say: stay flexible with an Actionstick©!

FAQ

Since when is Animation Sports/ Actionstick© operational?
The first orders for Actionsticks© were end of 2016. The concept of the stick originated in the season 2014/15. At the time I was soccercoach and youth coordinator at ASV de Dijk in Amsterdam and very interested incorporating the use of video throughout the club. I couldn't find a system that fitted within the club's budget and started working on it myself. The first stick worked with a mount and without magnets. Colleague trainers became enthusiastic and were able to make their own footage quickly without any supervision. As coaches and managers of opponents saw the stick in action during games, they made inquiries resulting in the first orders for the Actionstick©. After the Actionstick© became magnetic and the launch of the website, orders came from outside the Amsterdam region.
Over time enhancements have been made to the stick allowing to expand actioncamera's with a gimbal.

We don't advertise with the organisations of the Actionstick users yet, but customers are among others are located:
- near near our own location: Amsterdam, IJburg, Wormerveer, Uithoorn, Amsterdam, Amstelveen en Monnickendam,
- but also through out the Netherlands: Boxtel, Heesch, Heerenveen en Wassenaar,
- and a university in Wageningen.
- in Flanders, Belgium: Leuven, Tongeren, Aalst, Mechelen, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver.

The Actionstick© is multi-purpose and not only for ball sports. It has also been used to inspect gas flaring installations, buildings and record festive events.

How to order an Actionstick© and what about warranty after purchase?
The Actionstick is a custom built product. By mail or phone we will have personal contact with you in advance. Once an order has been placed we start assembling the Actionstick©. The delivery time of an Actionstick© can vary but is usually within a week. After set on transport we also mail a scan of the parcel barcode (trackingcode).

Each stick is always tested before transport. Of course we give a guarantee in case something is not right.
We are not a webshop with large stock. The Actionstick© is not a mass product from a distant country. In the production process we think circularly. For example, for parts we use as much locally sourced wood as possible. Especially elm from the inner city of Amsterdam.
(see: www.stadshout.nu).

Can an Actionstick be tried out first?
A stick can always be viewed and tried out in advance at our test location (de Volewijckers) in Amsterdam Noord.
Depending on the distance, we can give a demonstration at your location for a fee.
We don't have sticks for rent.

What if the masts around a pitch are not suitable for magnets?
Then it is also possible to use an Actionstick©. In fact, the first Actionsticks© were non-magnetic and worked with a socket. These docking sockets do need to be placed at 4 to 6 metres high. This can easily be done with straps.

On the website I see 2 types of Actionsticks©. How about that?
The first Actionsticks were specifically designed for action cameras such as the GoPro or Garmin Ultra. This is a very light and small configuration. An action camera can then be placed right at the very top of the Actionstick.
With the upcoming of the slightly heavier gimbals and gimbal cameras, the design of the Actionstick has evolved: the camera is placed just under the top. We can deliver both types but advise the latter: this suits both action cameras as well as gimbals. Some handheld cameras can also be placed on the stick with a small adjustment (e.g. Canon Legria).
On our to do list is to update all video and use the latest version of the stick.

Which camera is the best?
In our demonstrations we make use of the Garmin Ultra action camera and the Removu K1 gimbal camera and Removu S1. Are these the best? We can't say, but they meet the basic criteria for video analysis:

For actioncameras, the latest versions of GoPro cameras (6/7/8) and Garmin Ultra meet the criteria easily.
We know that some of our customers use Sony actioncams or Canon Legria handheld.
Of the camera gimbals we believe the Removu K1 is a good choice (this camera also has zoom functionality). Camera types and brands, gimbals and camera gimbals come and go, call us in case of specific advice on a particular camera. Keep in mind that the Actionstick© can be used for present and future camera's.

Which analysis software is the best?
We maintain contacts with various developers and suppliers and are well informed. The best solution depends on your wishes and budget. But the success of video analysis really depends on the people who have to work with it. It is best to first make an inventory of your criteria. Is software for personal use, or is it to be used throughout the organisation? Answer all your questions before making a choice.

Can I film myself?
Yeah, sure! For example, the stick is suitalbe for making a personal sports portfolio, observe your swing, service or horse dressage.

I prefer an Actionstick© made of carbon, is that possible?
Yes, but this costs extra. As pricing for materials differ please contact us for exact quote.

Is an Actionstick© storm-proof?
Pretty much. We made footage at wind force 6. It is important to place the stick on the lee side of a lighting pole. But as for any mounting system, suitable weatherconditions are up to the judgement of the user.

ASV de Dijk-UDI

Wind force 6 over the 't IJ at ASV de Dijk against UDI. March 2017

Final remark: the brandname Animation Sports shall evolve into Actionstick over 2020. www.actionstick.nl redirects to this site.

Fred van Mourik
April 2020