System and method for determining impact characteristics of sports ball striking element

A system, comprising:

• an imager configured to capture a sequence of images, wherein at least a first image and a second image are captured within a predetermined time span prior to an impact of an object with an object striking element;
• a radar configured to capture radar data of the object and the object striking element over a time span including the impact time;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• identify a first point on the object striking element in at least a first and a second image of a sequence of images portraying an object and an object striking element, wherein the first and second images are captured within a predetermined time span of an impact of the object with the object striking element;
• determine an impact time of the impact of the object with the object striking element;
• determine a distance from the imager to a location at which the object and the object striking element impact one another;
• determine a rate of change of a distance from the imager to the object striking element during the predetermined time span;
• and
• determine a three-dimensional direction of movement of the object striking element during the predetermined time span.