To evaluate if gait compensation strategies for selected kinematic variables can be identified in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient non-copers using two-dimensional (2D) clinical gait analysis.Prospective observational design, repeated measures.University hospital, out-patients department.Sixty-three patients that attended the acute knee screening service were diagnosed with an acute ACL rupture and consented to participate. A sub-set of 15 copers/adapters and 13 non-copers were eligible for final analysis because they were contactable for sub-classification and had gait analysis at 1 and 4 months post-injury.2D video gait analysis for sagittal plane hip, knee and ankle kinematics and time–distance variables.At 4 months post-injury non-copers demonstrated significantly less recovery of knee angle (F (1,1) =5.79, p<0.024), hip displacement angle (F (1,1) =4.89, p<0.036), step length (F (1,1) =6.80, p=0.015), cadence (F (1,1) =5.85, p=0.023) and velocity (F (1,1) =10.89, p=0.003), compared to copers/adapters. Also non-copers demonstrated altered correlations between gait parameters.At 4 months post-injury non-copers had an inferior gait performance compared to copers/adapters for kinematics and time–distance variables. 2D clinical kinematic gait analysis, particularly of the hip and knee can inform early rehabilitation techniques and monitor recovery.