Why Every Remote Pitching Coach Must Prioritize Elbow Health in Velocity Training

For athletes searching for the best remote pitching coach, the goal is often singular: throw harder. But there's a critical cost that often comes with that power—increased valgus torque on the elbow, especially dangerous for remote athletes who don’t have day-to-day biomechanical supervision.

What Is Elbow Valgus Torque?

During the high-speed throwing motion, the elbow joint is subjected to powerful forces. One of the most dangerous is valgus torque, the outward force that causes the forearm (radius and ulna) to deviate away from the upper arm (humerus). This rotational stress falls squarely on the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), the main stabilizer of the elbow during pitching.

The Physics Behind Velocity and Torque

From a biomechanical standpoint, increased angular velocity of the arm—how fast the arm whips forward—correlates directly to higher torque loads at the elbow.

➡️ More arm speed = more valgus torque
➡️ More torque = more UCL strain
➡️ More strain = higher injury risk

Peak Elbow Torque by Velocity

Studies show a linear relationship between pitch speed and valgus torque:

• 70 mph → ~30 Nm of torque
  
  
• 80 mph → ~50–60 Nm
  
  
• 90 mph → ~90 Nm
  
  
• 100 mph → 120+ Nm
  
  

🚨 The UCL’s max safe threshold is ~64 Nm for most adults.

For high school and college athletes training remotely, this often means increasing velocity without concurrently improving deceleration capacity, trunk stability, or mechanical efficiency—creating a dangerous imbalance.

Why Remote Pitching Training Must Address This

As the trend toward velocity continues, remote training programs must account for the biomechanical stressors that accompany it. A qualified remote pitching coach should not only help an athlete gain velocity, but must also:

• Monitor mechanics via regular video breakdowns
  
  
• Emphasize deceleration patterns and posterior chain strength
  
  
• Program progressive workload based on biomechanical efficiency
  
  
• Track adaptations and pain markers in weekly check-ins
  
  

At VeloU, we’ve seen firsthand how unaddressed torque loads—even in technically sound throwers—can lead to overuse symptoms, elbow irritation, or worse, a torn UCL. That's why our remote training plans are tailored with force plate data, throwing video, arm care metrics, and strength progressions that evolve as the athlete does.

The Injury Epidemic Tied to Torque

The data is clear:

➡️ UCL injuries have exploded over the past two decades, with Tommy John surgeries now common among teenagers.
➡️ Higher pitch velocities in youth and amateur baseball correlate with increased injury incidence.
➡️ Remote pitchers without access to biomechanical labs or in-person feedback are especially at risk.

The Real Trade-Off

Velocity is valuable. But velocity alone—without structural balance, deceleration capacity, and proper arm path—builds torque faster than the body can handle. The result? Accelerated wear on the elbow's most vulnerable tissue.

How VeloU Supports Remote Pitchers

If you're a high school or college athlete seeking to improve velocity while staying healthy, VeloU’s remote pitching coach program offers:

✅ Free mechanical analysis
✅ Strength and power development tracking
✅ Individualized throwing programs
✅ Monthly appraisals and performance reports
✅ Communication with coaches 1–2x per week

🧠 Our job isn’t just to help you throw harder. It’s to make sure you’re built to handle that velocity—safely and sustainably.

There’s no doubt that throwing harder can be a difference-maker. But power without structure is a ticking time bomb. Whether you're working with a coach in person or training remotely, addressing valgus torque risk should be non-negotiable.
If you want long-term development, not short-term velocity spikes, invest in a program that understands this biomechanical balancing act.

➤ Ready to Train Smarter?

Start your journey with a free mechanical breakdown and two free weeks inside the VeloU app.
👉 Sign up for remote pitching training