How to Train With a Pitching Coach Online (and Actually Get Better)

You don't need to live near an elite pitching facility to get elite coaching. With good video, a real evaluation and a coach who adjusts your plan week to week, pitchers can make big gains training online. VeloU's remote athletes average a 3.5 mph velocity gain in their first six months.

But online coaching only works if it's done right. Here's how to train with a pitching coach online, what to look for in a program, and how to get the most out of it.

How online pitching coaching works

A good remote program follows the same steps as in-person coaching. The difference is that you film the work and your coach reviews it.

1. It starts with an evaluation

Before you throw a single programmed rep, your coach needs to know where you are. A real remote evaluation should include:

• A mechanics breakdown from multiple video angles
• A full-body movement screen
• An arm care assessment
• A strength and power profile
• Your throwing history, schedule and goals

If a program skips this and hands you the same plan as everyone else, it isn't coaching. It's a spreadsheet.

2. You get a plan built for you

From the evaluation, your coach builds one plan that combines throwing, lifting, mobility and arm care. It should change with your season: building in the offseason, maintaining in season, and ramping up carefully after time off.

3. You film, your coach adjusts

You upload video of your throwing and key drills. Your coach looks for what's working and what isn't, then adjusts your drills, volumes and focus. This feedback loop is where most of the progress happens.

4. You retest

Velocity, strength and arm care numbers get retested regularly so progress is measured, not guessed. Many remote athletes also visit a facility to test in person a few times a year.

How to film your throwing for a remote coach

Your coach can only coach what they can see. A few simple rules make your video far more useful:

• Film from the side and from behind. Side view shows timing and stride; the back view shows direction and arm path.
• Get your whole body in the frame, from your feet to your glove at its highest point.
• Keep the camera still at about hip height. Use a tripod or a fence clip.
• Use slow motion if your phone has it.
• Film real reps, not just your best one. Coaches learn the most from your typical throw.

What to look for in an online pitching coach

• A real evaluation first. Every plan should start from your own data.
• Individual programming. No cookie-cutter plans or preloaded templates.
• Regular, specific feedback on your video, not just a thumbs up.
• Arm care and workload tracking, so you get better without getting hurt.
• Proof. Look for athletes who trained with the program and went on to college or pro ball.

What remote training looks like at VeloU

VeloU Remote runs on the same system as our on-site program in Pleasantville, NY. Athletes get a custom program in the VeloU app, with daily throwing, lifting, mobility and recovery work, video feedback on mechanics, weekly check-ins and regular progress reports.

"I've been a VeloU Remote athlete for 3 years... Ever since, it has been life changing. My velocity has jumped significantly and so has my overall strength and pitchability." — Duncan Davitt, Cincinnati Reds

Dylan Vigue started VeloU Remote as a high school senior throwing 88-91 mph. Training remotely, he reached 95-97 mph as a starter at the University of Michigan, and in 2026 he was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 7th round.

Common mistakes when training online

• Skipping the boring stuff. Arm care, mobility and recovery are part of the plan for a reason.
• Only filming good days. Your coach needs to see your normal throws to help you.
• Maxing out too early. After time off, the first 4-6 weeks of throwing should never be max effort.
• Not communicating. Tell your coach about soreness, schedule changes and games. Plans can only adjust to what your coach knows.

Frequently asked questions

Can you really get better with an online pitching coach?

Yes. VeloU's remote athletes average a 3.5 mph gain in their first six months, and remote athletes like Duncan Davitt and Dylan Vigue reached pro baseball while training remotely.

What equipment do I need?

A phone for video, a place to throw and access to basic gym equipment. Your coach adjusts the program to what you have.

How often will I hear from my coach?

At VeloU, athletes can message their coach directly, get video feedback on their mechanics and have weekly check-ins on goals and workload.

Is remote training good for high school pitchers?

Yes. Many of our remote athletes are high school pitchers who want to throw harder and get recruited without traveling to a facility every week.

Get started

The first step is a remote evaluation. Or see everything included in VeloU Remote Training. Live near Westchester, NY? You can also start with an in-person evaluation at our facility.