Debriefing skydives with video is one of the most effective tools we have to use in learning how to perfect our air skills. When we have a good skydive, our debriefs tend to be filled with laughter, positive comments, good vibes and peer recognition. On the flip side when our skydives don't go so well our video debriefs can often be disastrous. The reason debriefs go by the wayside is because we fail to communicate effectively. When lines of communication fail, our skydives, attitudes and team relationships suffer. Much of this can be avoided by having an effective system of video debriefing.

I have found that by utilizing the following system of debriefing can be rewarding, encouraging, fun and avoids creating unnecessary team conflict.

1. When everyone is in the room together, watch the video twice through without anyone commenting on the skydive. (Wait until all the teammates are in the video room together before viewing the skydive. It is often frustrating when one person has watched the video five times and starts debriefing when two other teammates have not even seen the video)

2. Only one person can speak at a time when he or she has the floor. (Comments back and forth waste time and energy)

3. When you have the floor, start out by pointing out the positive aspects of the skydive no matter how good or bad the skydive was. (Complementing each other promotes good team vibes and recognition on a job well done)

4. Once completing the positive aspects of the skydive, move onto the 2nd phase. The 2nd phase is when you bring up the aspects of what you need to improve on. Only concentrate on yourself; mention things such as: I need more focus on my turns, I need to work on my eye contact or I could concentrate more on not going around my partner on the Zig-Zag Marquee block. Bringing up overall team improvement is fine; but, limit yourself to overall team needs while avoiding picking on any of your teammates personal performances.

5. Once finished, say "FINISHED" or "DONE". (Avoid wasting debrief time with long gaps between teammate debriefs.)

6. Repeat steps 3-5 for all teammates.

7. Talk about exit frame and presentation.

8. Communicate with your piece partner on what needs to be done to improve piece flying.


Example:

Here is an example of how easy and time efficient this system is and how it works:

Teammates: Sam, Joe, Bob, Sue

Sam:
I really thought my turns in place were the best I have ever done. I enjoyed the Accordian Diamond block and the vertical transition; I feel we are doing it technically right. Bob's keys were pronounced and easy to see; Good job Bob! I feel I could have kicked off better on exit. I need to improve on my flashing between transitions, and I felt that we could stop the momentum between points. "DONE".

Joe:
I finally felt that I had the right picture in the move out of the center on the Accordian Diamond block. I thought the block out the door was quick, and I thought my track off was of a blazing magnitude! I think if I hold my eye contact a bit longer on my Donut turn, my turns will improve. I could be a bit stronger in the center in my random flying, and we need a better presentation of the formation on exit. "DONE"

Bob:
Blah, Blah, Blah, "DONE"

Sue:
Etc, Etc, Etc..... "DONE"

The reason why one person talks at a time:

When more than one person is talking, we tend to not listen to each other causing confusion and a lack of respect for the person who has the floor.

The reason why we need to say "DONE" when we are finished:

Typically we can waste up to 1.5 minutes between each teammates debrief by watching the video in utter silence. 1.5 minutes between debriefs equals to up to 7 minutes of wasted time in every debrief or a total of 45 minutes throughout a training day.

Why should we concentrate on debriefing ourselves when we are discussing the needs improvement aspects?

The reason is because we are a bunch of big babies with fragile ego's!! (Just kidding) It allows us to be up front with our teammates in letting them know that we are not perfect and that we are trying to improve on our personal performance.

Why should we avoid debriefing our teammates before they have had a chance to debrief themselves?

When we constructively criticize a teammate before they have had a chance of debriefing themselves it can do many things:

1. It puts people on the defensive.
2. Can cause people's fragile ego's to be hurt.
3. Create negative energy in the debrief room.
4. Piss people off before they have had a chance to debrief.
5. Create a bad precedent for future debriefs.

Even though you may have a burning desire to rip into someone and tell them how and why they messed up; stop, and take a deep breath and wait till they have had a chance to purge their souls. If you give them a chance, there is a high probability that they will acknowledge their own shortcomings and take the pressure off of you having to say anything.

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