What Separates the Best Remote Pitching Coach from the Rest?

At VeloU, our goal is to provide athletes with cutting-edge remote pitching training that not only improves velocity but also protects the arm from unnecessary stress. New research has highlighted an often-overlooked aspect of pitching efficiency: the elbow’s role in optimizing mechanics. Understanding these biomechanical insights allows us to refine our remote coaching strategies, ensuring that athletes maximize their performance no matter where they train.

How the Elbow Influences Biomechanical Efficiency in Pitching

A recent study has redefined how we look at pitching mechanics, showing that the elbow’s positioning during the arm cocking phase plays a direct role in both velocity generation and joint stress. Historically, most pitching efficiency models focused on lower-body mechanics, but this new data nearly doubled predictive accuracy by incorporating elbow-specific variables.

Key Takeaways from the Study

📌 Elbow Flexion Angle & Pitching Efficiency

• Pitchers with a lower maximum elbow flexion angle during the arm cocking phase exhibited greater biomechanical efficiency—meaning they produced more velocity per unit of elbow torque.

• Excessive elbow flexion at MER (max external rotation) may disrupt force transfer through the kinetic chain, increasing elbow stress.

📌 Shoulder External Rotation (ER) at MER is Critical

• A greater ER angle at MER correlated with higher biomechanical efficiency.

• This suggests that adequate shoulder mobility allows for better energy transfer and may reduce unnecessary elbow loading.

📌 Trunk & Pelvic Rotation Timing Impacts Force Transfer

• Pitchers with a shorter time interval between peak pelvic rotation velocity and peak trunk rotation velocity displayed better biomechanical efficiency.

• Proper sequencing of trunk rotation helps smooth energy transfer, reducing compensatory loads on the elbow.

How VeloU Uses This Data to Improve Remote Pitching Training

1. Optimizing Early Throwing Mechanics

📌 Key Focus: Monitoring Trunk Rotation at Stride Foot Contact (SFC)

• Remote athletes often struggle with early mechanical inefficiencies, which can affect elbow flexion angles later in the delivery.

• Our video analysis system allows us to monitor trunk rotation at SFC, ensuring that athletes maintain the correct sequence before reaching max external rotation.

2. Stacked Trunk Positioning for Efficient Rotation Timing

📌 Key Focus: Maximizing Kinetic Chain Efficiency

• Many pitchers fail to maintain a stacked trunk over the pelvis, leading to mistimed rotation that disrupts force transfer.

• Through remote mobility assessments and drill programming, we help athletes improve trunk control and rotational timing, maximizing energy transfer.

3. Managing Contralateral Tilt to Maintain Shoulder Abduction

📌 Key Focus: Preventing Unnecessary Shoulder Stress

• Maintaining an ~85° shoulder abduction angle at SFC is critical for biomechanical efficiency.

• Using mobility assessments and customized drills, we guide pitchers in adjusting contralateral tilt, ensuring proper arm positioning for optimal force output.

👉 Want to see how our remote pitching program works? Take advantage of two free weeks in our app and start improving your velocity, efficiency, and arm health today!