Whitepaper · 2026

SnatchPhysics Whitepaper

From Olympic weightlifting analysis to a template-based sports movement measurement framework.

Current proof case: Olympic snatch · Future expansion: sport-specific movement templates

1. Executive Summary

SnatchPhysics currently analyzes Olympic snatch videos through a measured workflow: Upload → Measure → Finetune → Remeasure → Record → Export.

The current snatch model is the first proof case for a broader movement measurement platform. The same measurement-first architecture — locked baselines, tuned profiles, confidence flagging, and exportable review packages — is designed to generalize to other movement-based sports through sport-specific templates.

2. What the System Does Today

Uploads a lift video and reads frames.
Estimates pose and keypoints using a 17-point MoveNet model.
Measures bar path, horizontal drift, phase timing, hip–knee sequencing, turnover speed, catch stability, and left/right symmetry.
Shows confidence warnings when input quality is insufficient.
Preserves a locked Academic Baseline for every analyzed lift.
Allows the Engine Finetuner to produce separate tuned profiles without altering the baseline.
Compares Baseline vs Tuned interpretations side by side.
Saves session history per lifter.
Exports JSON, CSV, and Academic Review Packages.

3. Why the Baseline Is Locked

The Finetuner does not change the athlete's lift. It changes the measurement model.

The original Academic Baseline remains locked. Every tuned recompute becomes a separate Tuning Profile with a timestamp, full parameter snapshot, confidence flags, and exportable data — so any reviewer can reproduce what was measured and how.

4. Why This Helps Coaches

The coach can already see the movement. SnatchPhysics helps measure what the coach is seeing.

The system creates memory, comparison, and exportable records — turning a single viewing into a permanent, reviewable artifact that can be revisited, compared across sessions, and shared with researchers or governing bodies.

5. Beyond Weightlifting: Movement Templates

The same architecture can support other sports by changing the sport template.

Each sport template defines:

movement phases
required camera view
key body landmarks
implement tracking method
timing events
performance metrics
fault rules
confidence rules
export schema
coach language
research language

Hip–shoulder separation · Block-leg stability · Release angle proxy · Rotation timing · Recovery balance

7. Current Limitations

2D video cannot fully replace 3D lab motion capture.
Camera angle, lighting, occlusion, and clothing affect measurement confidence.
Current bar path may use a wrist/grip proxy unless true implement detection is enabled.
Sport templates require validation before being treated as research-grade.
Missing events are reported as N/A, never as zero.
The system is a coaching and research measurement assistant — not a medical diagnostic system.

8. Mission Statement

SnatchPhysics turns sports video into measured movement data.

The coach remains the expert. The system becomes the measuring instrument.