Match on Action

A match on action is where there is a continuous flow in the movement of a character, detailing certain aspects of the movement; such as the footfall of the character- if they're going fast or slow, creating a tenser atmosphere or relaxing the viewer. This type of cut can also show a disturbance in the movement of a character, for example the opening of a door- where the disappearance of the character from one angle is followed through with the close up of a hand, following through again to the appearance of the character again from a different approach.
This cutting technique is used to allow a breach in setting or scenery, or to create a fast paced scene, or slow paced scene, depending on other aspects of the sequence- such as speed and sounds. Match on action is also vital in the continuity of a scene, allowing the viewer to fully understand the sequence, even if it's a completely new set