"Band Work"

That is a blessing

WB22 that's a great story.

You said that your 15 year old son had a UCL partial tear, but that his growth plates were still not closed. I've been told by local doctors that with open growth plates that UCL tears are improbable because the arm breaks down at the point of least resistance. That the medial epicondyle growth plate typically separates as long as it's open, before the UCL will tear. No need for MRI's to examine the UCL. So, I'm glad you shared your eye-opening experience. Thanks.

 

The reason most kids don't use bands is because they are trying to kill two birds with one stone, i.e., look big for their buds and girlfriends and work out for baseball. They bypass the baseball basics to impress people, i.e., I benched X, I squated Y, etc... therefore I'm a great player. Working with small weight and bands are look upon as sissy / boring work. When the complete opposite is true. Its similar to going to the cage and hitting of the machine cranked up to 90 vs hitting off the T.

 

Braves and all,

My purpose for this polling question was misleading... I wanted to see where the discussion went in terms of pitchers preparing themselves.

I was very happy to see the discussion take a turn towards the scapula. The scapula is the transition point between the trunk and the arm. Without a sound foundation at the scapula energy doesn't get transferred efficiently to the baseball.

I admit my question didn't ask specifically about this but I wanted to indirectly see where the discussion went. Wanted to see if the "instruction" that our pitchers are receiving includes work on other areas (and I am sure it does)...

Band work is important - we all agree on this. The scapula is important - we agree on this. The core is important - we agree on this. My question is WHY???

Kinetic energy (energy in motion) is created from the ground up - we get out of what we put into the ground. That energy is transferred from the ground up throughout the rest of the pitcher's body. The degree in which the pitcher can efficiently transfer this energy from one body segment to another can determine velocity and utlimately reduce stress on vulnerable areas.


The role of the core is threefold:

1. Receive Energy
2. Control Energy
3. Dissipate Energy

If the core is unable to do this effectively, then the kinetic energy isn't used to its potential or the energy is transferred in too great of an amount to a weakened link in the kinetic chain.


The scapula is a core unto itself. The scapula has the same three jobs:

1. Receive Energy
2. Control Energy
3. Dissipate Energy

The shoulder (band work) needs to be accompanied by scapula and core work (and other areas) to make the pitcher more efficient and effective.

 

Post 15 your information is very much correct. Our son was almost 16, the growth plates were very close to being closed and he had also broken his ankle in December so he really probably was overusing his arm given his physical condition. You are also right about the MRI's and how they were used. The first ortho guy we saw was a friend who primarily works with hips and knees. He ordered the first MRI and both the other local ortho guy and Dr. Andrews just used the results to confirm what they diagnosed by manipulating his arm and elbow. Dr. Andrews did order the second one but again just to confirm his diagnosis that the elbow was in good shape. Amazing to me how these guys are able to manipulate the arm and elbow and have a pretty good idea of what they are dealing with. It is an art and a science.