Pitching Analysis - How Pitching Coaches Can Make Effective Use Of Pitching Video Analysis In The Practice Setting

By Steven Ellis, former pitcher in the Chicago Cubs organization

The goal of any pitching analysis is to determine the mechanical efficiency of a pitcher's delivery. One way for pitching coaches and instructors to assist you in the understanding of mechanical efficiency and baseball pitching injuries is to analyze your pitching mechanics. In order to do so a technique known as motion analysis will be used as a tool for evaluating your performance.

Use Of Pitching Analysis In The Practice Setting

I am often asked how important the use of pitching video analysis is. In my opinion, it is one of the most important tools for learning both pitching mechanics and pitching technique - and should be used in your baseball practices, bullpen and training sessions throughout the season.

Here are some bullet items to help you utilize video in practice.

A picture is worth a thousand words - a video is worth one million.

Although, video analysis is used a lot for scouting other teams and pitchers, much more time should be spent using this valuable tool in the practice-training environment. Skills will improve more quickly and you will have a permanent record of the improvement.

You do not need to use video in every practice. Also, it is best to use individually with each pitcher.

Script and choreograph what you want prior to the bullpen session that you're going to video tape and later analyze.

Have someone other than yourself operate the video and playback system. So there is a separate camera operator and pitching coach to instruct the pitcher and give feedback of mechanics, technique, etc.

Execute the skill or pitch five to eight times and video it; view it immediately on a nearby monitor. Please give your feedback and comments - especially the first time through. If you have digital video (not a linear analog tape format) sort it immediately into right and wrong. Immediately after viewing go right back to the mound and have the pitcher once again execute the skill five to eight times, video it; view it - repeat again. Do this sequence of video of skill execution and viewing video a minimum of three times.

You may want to model the right execution of the skill with another player actually performing it; a back up could be a video of the right execution - or you can compare the pitcher's mechanics to the mechanics of big league pitchers on PitchingClips.com.

Player self-evaluation checklist - create a list of 3-5 pitching criteria or mechanical cues that the player can look for in his skill execution. Make the player responsible for checking these off as they view the video.

Keep a tape for each pitcher - excellent visual record of improvement, also a visual record to refer to compare present day technique to several weeks or several months ago.

Consider making a tape of only the right executions of the pitching skill.

You can utilize video for every practice and use it for a certain segment - the key is the immediacy of the feedback (viewing of video) - it must occur as soon as possible.

How To Video Analyze Baseball Pitchers

Throwing a ball is one of the fastest known human actions, but with the use of high speed videotape, computer programs, and muscle testing devices, researchers, bio-mechanists and coaches are able to study and analyze the throwing motion in specific detail.

For a coach, the use of video analysis, even done with a regular VCR, is a very effective way to study and learn about the specifics of the pitching motion and their pitchers. A coach needs to be able to recognize proper techniques during the various phases, then be able to identify specific faults. Finally, to be an effective teacher, the coach must be able to teach the pitcher how to overcome and correct various faults with technique adjustments and drills.

For a pitcher, the use of videotape allows him to see how he actually throws. Usually, a pitcher cannot "feel" what he is doing wrong because it feels natural to him. But, by comparing himself to other pitchers who have proper mechanics, he will be able to see the difference and try to copy the correct technique. It is also effective for a pitcher to practice various techniques in front of a mirror; this gives him instant feedback.

Remember, not all pitchers throw, or should throw, exactly the same way. Let the pitcher use his own style as long as his mechanics don't limit his effectiveness, his potential, or cause undue stress on the arm.

Most long term, injury free, and consistently effective pitchers display the following traits:

1. Good balance and stability throughout the motion
2. Good body and arm alignment to the plate
3. Proper weight transfer onto a strong and stable stride leg
4. A strong horizontal rotational force (torque) squaring the shoulders to the plate as the stride leg braces.
5. A smooth but explosive and consistent arm action
6. A long smooth arc of deceleration

A pitcher only needs to throw 8-10 pitches at full velocity from the windup and set position to get a good read of his mechanics.

I. Film his normal throwing (not pitching) motion from 3 angles; no shirt, in shorts.
A. From side angle
- Throwing arm action
- Lead arm action
- Cocked position - head in top center of triangle
- Stride leg - flexion to bracing
- Trunk squaring

B. From the back
- Stride alignment
- Hand and arm alignment
- Trunk rotation vs. tilt
- Arm slot
- Body over the stride leg

C. From the front
- Lead arm action
- Trunk squaring
- Arm slot - Release angle
- Arm deceleration

II. Look for players with:
- A loose shoulder; a continuous motion; no hesitation
- A full range of motion, proper cocked position, good shoulder external rotation, full arm extension in front
- A loose wrist at the release point
- Throws in a 45 degree downward angle
- Has a long smooth arc of arm deceleration

III. Demonstrate various segments of the pitching motion
A. 3 segments of the motion
- Forward
- Rotational
- Trunk flexion