Rest period

I am looking for comments on a rest period for pitchers. my son is 14 and has just started in the last 8 months of working hard to become a solid pitcher and learn the art of pitching. He basically throws 5 days a week most every week right now. I am wondering does he need to have a period throughout the year that he does not throw at all? If so how long a rest period is appropriate for his development. Keep in mind I am looking for long term development with the goal of staying injury free, so he can have the opportunity to develop. I have a lot of questions about pitcher development and am looking for good sound advise based on science and not just what someone believes will work without being able to support their belief. I'll be posting some more questions on other threads in the future, so any comments are welcomed and appreciated. I do have good deal of knowledge but am always looking for more info.

 

The American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI), which is Dr. James Andrews and others, recommends at least 2-3 months per year of NO OVERHEAD THROWING AT ALL.

 

BUT When?????

I agree that this needs to happen but truth is we have created an environment that almost makes that impossible. Between College Showcases, Showcase Travel, Fall ball, High School Season… when are they suppose to shut down. November and December seems to be the perfect time but there always seems to be those important College Events during that time that they “need to be seen at”. How many times have you heard a Coach tell your son, “That event is huge. You don’t want to miss that!!”? It’s sad but the only true down time my son had was when he was hurt. He has been on the shelf the last two months because of an opposite side shoulder injury and now he is worried because workouts are getting ready to start and he has not been ably to prepare. I guess what I am saying is that I hope you get an answer but it has been my experience that your damned if you do and damned if you don’t. IMHO - Take care of his arm and shut him down November and December no matter what.

 

You're absolutely right. But you/we just have to learn to say no. There are events in the fall, but none that are so "huge" that you cannot miss them. We generally (but not always) skipped fall ball so my son could rest his arm. His HS coach was not crazy about our decision. He wanted him out with the other kids on the team. But we stuck to our guns and did it anway. Our shut down period generally lasted from late August until Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was always our sign to start getting ready for HS ball.

This worked out pretty well for us, but your mileage may vary.

 

I’m not sure if you are looking for an answer from the scientific community. If that’s the case, the only one that I’m aware of that is a member would be ATC…and he’s very informative and an excellent resource. I suggest that you PM him to get personal advice.

But keep in mind, even in the scientific community; this subject reveals many diverse opinions, and they equally support their opinions with strong held beliefs.

This forum is fortunate to have many qualified members that are well-respected and very experienced coaches, ex-major league and current professional pitchers. Also, I wouldn’t dismiss the opinions of some very astute members that have made it their priority to seek information that has helped guide their sons to successful pain-less (not free) careers through college.

Although there are some commonalities among the pitching guru’s, it can be confusing and frustrating, at times, to read and hear them each give their opinions with strong convictions and supporting documentation. Yet, they have different conclusions.

I would suggest encouraging all knowledgeable posters to offer their opinion. It certainly will be given with experience—good or bad.

Unfortunately, there is not a specific documented blueprint that will ensure any pitcher a pain-free pitching career. The fact is, as a pitcher matures in his rising level of baseball, he will be pitching with some pain—the difference is in knowing what is sore and what is an injury.

Good luck in your young son’s pitching career. The pitcher’s dad fraternity is unique and only understood by each other.

 

Thanks for all the info so far guys keep it coming, so it sounds like a minimum of 8 weeks. So during this time would you agree it is a good time to work hard on overall conditioning, other then throwing. Also this kind of goes into another area, but along the overall conditioning phase what advice could someone give about weight training. There are differing opinions on the matter from what I have read and would like to hear what some of you have or have not done when it comes to lifting weights. Thanks again,

 

I'll post some links to threads that discuss this topic as well as other area related to this subject. If you find one that you would like to respond to---just reply to bring it back up.

http://www.thisboardrocks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69966&highlight=Winter+workouts

http://www.thisboardrocks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=154801&highlight=Winter+workouts