Chase cam

What it means

A chase cam shot is filmed by someone riding right behind the subject, usually with a helmet or chest-mounted camera. Instead of seeing the world through the rider's eyes, the viewer sees the rider: body position, line choice and the trail unfolding ahead of them.

It is one of the most engaging angles in mountain biking, skiing and motocross because it combines the speed of POV footage with a visible subject. It differs from a follow cam on a pole or drone tracking in that the camera operator is another rider, matching the same terrain at the same speed.

How it works in practice

The chaser needs to be a confident rider, a little faster than the subject, so they can hold a steady distance through technical sections. Two to five bike lengths works well: close enough to fill the frame, far enough to react.

Mount the camera on the helmet for a higher view or on the chest for a lower, more stable one. A helmet mount lets the chaser look where the rider goes; a chest mount keeps the horizon steadier.

Talk through the line before dropping in, and agree on what happens if the lead rider stops or crashes.

What to watch out for

Following too closely is how chase crashes happen. Give the lead rider room on jumps and drops, where they may slow or change line.

Dust and spray from the lead rider can coat the lens on dry or muddy days. A lens cleaning stop every few runs is worth it.

Chase footage can feel repetitive if every shot is the same distance and angle. Change position, ride side by side on wide trails, or pull ahead for a reaction shot. Footage taken while the chaser struggles to keep up is often shaky and tilted, so expect to trim the roughest sections rather than use every second.