A method for reacquiring a target in an automated video tracking system is provided. The method includes the steps of: selecting a desired target to be tracked; switching the automated video tracking system to an automatic mode to initiate a tracking sequence to automatically track the selected desired target; switching the automated video tracking system from an automatic mode to a manual mode if the automated video tracking system encounters a period of difficulty in tracking the desired target; reacquiring the desired target in manual mode; and switching the automated video tracking system to the automatic mode for automatic tracking of the reacquired desired target without initiating a new tracking sequence. An apparatus and automated video tracking system for carrying out the methods of the present invention are also provided.