Fastball–Changeup Mirror
Pair fastballs and changeups through the same lower lanes to compare location patterns, target hits, and noncompetitive misses.
Foundation
Pitch Development · Pairing
Level
L2 — Core Pair
Length
24 pitches · 16–20 min
Pitches
Fastball · Changeup
Goal: Determine whether the changeup can be delivered to the same planned lanes as the fastball.
Warmup
Before the first pitch.
Complete a proper throwing warm-up before scoring pitches. Use full-body movement, progressive catch play, and enough mound-ramp-up pitches for the arm, fastball, and delivery to feel ready.
Warm-up throws are not included in the workout score, but they still count toward the pitcher’s total throwing workload for the day.
Coaching Focus
- Use the same lane definition for both pitch types.
- Keep fastball and changeup intent committed through release.
- Do not force identical movement—compare usable finish locations.
- Watch for one pitch type consistently leaking out of the lane.
- Stop if fatigue changes arm speed, effort, or command.
Set Up Your Pitch Track Session
Choose Bullpen Session. Create two markers:
+
FB
Use for every fastball in the session.
+
CH
Use for every changeup in the session.
Results
Score the Session
Count pitches that finish inside the assigned lane. Use the FB and CH markers to compare target hits and noncompetitive misses by pitch type.
18–24 target hits
Great
Both pitches repeatedly reached the planned lanes. Confirm whether the changeup mirrored the fastball across all three locations.
14–17 target hits
Competitive
The pair was usable but one pitch or lane created a clear drop-off. Build the next session around that comparison.
0–13 target hits
Keep Working
The fastball and changeup location patterns separated too often. Widen one lane and reestablish a shared plan.
Sequence
- 2 FB — Arm-Side Down Windup
- 1 FB — Arm-Side Down Stretch
- 1 CH — Arm-Side Down Windup
- 2 CH — Arm-Side Down Stretch
- 1 FB — Middle-Down Windup
- 2 FB — Middle-Down Stretch
- 2 CH — Middle-Down Windup
- 1 CH — Middle-Down Stretch
- 2 FB — Glove-Side Down Windup
- 1 FB — Glove-Side Down Stretch
- 1 CH — Glove-Side Down Windup
- 2 CH — Glove-Side Down Stretch
- 3 Alternating FB/CH — Coach-Called Lane Windup
- 3 Alternating FB/CH — Coach-Called Lane Stretch
Location Lanes
- Arm-Side Down: The lower arm-side lane within the established strike window.
- Middle-Down: The broad lower-middle lane.
- Glove-Side Down: The lower glove-side lane within the established strike window.
- Mirror: Both pitch types use the same called lane, not identical movement.
Compare the finish locations without forcing the fastball and changeup to move the same way. Pitchers who work exclusively from the stretch may complete the full session from the stretch.
Development or preseason: 1–2 times per week with about 48 hours between structured mound sessions.
In season: 0–1 development bullpen per week. A game appearance or other meaningful mound session replaces it.
