The frontal plane, also called the coronal plane, is an imaginary vertical plane that divides the body into front and back portions. It is commonly used to describe movement observed from the front or rear.
Examples of Frontal-Plane Movement
- Shoulder or hip abduction and adduction
- Side bending of the trunk
- Pelvic drop during walking or running
- Side-to-side movement during cutting and landing
Front- or rear-view video can help a coach or movement professional examine alignment and symmetry in this plane. Common observations include the relative positions of the shoulders, pelvis, knees, and feet.
Because ordinary video presents a three-dimensional movement as a two-dimensional image, apparent frontal-plane alignment can change with camera height, rotation, and subject position. A centered camera and consistent setup make comparisons more reliable.