How to film a pitch
Film the same way every time and your coach (and Glove Pop) can see every phase and compare pitches fairly. Setting up takes a minute.
1 Where to put the phone
- From the side, on her throwing-arm side, level with the middle of her stride, pointing straight across (not from in front or behind).
- Phone sideways and held still: a tripod, a fence or a bag, at about waist height.
- Whole body in the shot from the set to the follow-through, with a little room around her.
- From the side is what counts. Timings work from anywhere, but knee, elbow and stride measurements need a side view, and compare best from about the same spot.
- Light behind you, not behind the pitcher.
- Want a speed reading too? Step back until the catcher's glove is in the shot as well.
2 Film at 120 frames a second
120 fps keeps the arm sharp enough to measure and makes every timing about 4 times more precise than normal video. It plays at real speed, so Glove Pop knows the timing exactly; slow it down to watch with the speed button under the video.
iPhone
- In the Camera app, choose Video.
- Tap the frame rate at the top and pick 120. HD is plenty.
Android
- In the camera's video settings, pick 120 fps (names vary by phone).
- No 120? Use the highest it offers, or Slow motion.
Start filming before she gets set and stop after the follow-through. Glove Pop finds the pitch and the phases for you.
120 fps needs good light: outdoors or a bright room. Indoors in dim light the picture gets dark and grainy, and Glove Pop tracks her less well. No 120 on your phone? Slow motion (SLO-MO on iPhone) works too; Glove Pop works out how much it's slowed down.
3 Check the view
Once the phone is set up, check what it sees. Have her stand in her set position and take a stride.
This only checks the view; nothing is recorded. Then film with your camera app (at 120 fps) without moving the phone.
Then share it
On New pitch, tap Choose or record video and pick it from your photos.
New pitch