Weighted Balls • Long Toss; Arm Strength • Arm Speed

How about it? How does a pitcher build velocity? Please dispell some of the myths. Who do you listen to? Everyone seems to have an opinion but how do you decide what is right for your son?

 

Supervise carefully...
The weighted balls are good until you change to a regular ball.... dont over throw .. it takes several tosses to get used to the lighter ball and you can hurt your shoulder and arm...

Just Sayin" it didnt hurt my sons arm.. but it killed mine....
btw... make sure you have a good padded glove... or make sure you use the web .. dont catch it in the hand

 

"Long Toss" is usually recommended by most coaches both HS and College for helping pitchers build their arms.

Make sure your son has "good pitching mechanics"....this is probably as important as the Arm Strength and Arm Speed.

 

Depending on age & strength you should not even use the heavier balls....
dont be tossing beyond the 60' to 75 ' range either...

just my

 

Long toss and surgical tubing exercises.
Do both arms with the surgical tubing to not overcompensate one arm.
Combine distance and wind sprints running.
Mechanics is definitely a factor.

 

We use this in softball as well........

 

The weighted balls may seem to be the latest hot gimmick, but they aren't new. They surfaced back in the 60's and have continued to have a wash of popularity every 7 years or so. The experts are divided over their usefulness.

Long toss needs to be done as part of a regimented program, not just something to do occasionally. A good program of long toss will increase Arm Strength while maintaining flexibility. Use the tubing and run on a regular basis.

As far as work, I've heard one estimate that it takes the same amount of work, training and physical improvement to go from 65MPH to 85MPH as it does to go from 85MPH to 90MPH on your fastball. Once you go over 80, part of it is technique, part is training and part is god-given.

 

Long toss is really good for developing arm strength. The one important thing to remember for long toss, is that you dont want to start throwing rainbow throws, meaning dont throw it as high as you can. You want to throw the ball on a line or a good level plane. Even if the ball takes some hopes or rolls to the next person, thats ok as long as they are really getting out there and throwing the ball on a good plane. As they are working their way back in, remind them to throw the ball on a line. As they are working their way back in, dont let them come in to early, make sure they are wokring in gradually and really getting on top of the ball and developing good arm strength. Another really good thing for kids is arm tubs. You can find these tubs at your local Medical store. These are great for warming up before a game or getting stronger. These tubes work your elbows and your shoulders. You can call a lot of these colleges and ask for their tubing workouts or what they do, many if them are very willing to sit down and talk to you and let you know what to do. I'm at Louisburg College and we have a workout we go by on practice days and game days. But call the area coaches and ask them what they do, they wont turn you away.

 

Mom,,,, listen to these guys, they know whats best. Remember anytime you are skeptical about something, your instincts may be right. Ultimately, it don't matter what folks tell you, remember he's still your son.

A well-respected strength & conditioning coach once was talking about all these young teenagers today taking all this creatine and protein shakes, and the man told me the best thing a teenage athlete can do is simply eat a good breakfast, take a multi-vitamin and work hard on his favorite sport.

There's no magical formula or no secret to success,,,, all you need is hard work and dedication.

If your son takes care of his body and works hard at baseball,,, his improved performance will show on the field, and by playing it safe he shouldn't suffer from any abuse of his body down the road.

 

There's no greater teacher than experience! I knew I could count on the members of this board for some sound advise. Thanks to those who have responded and to those yet to respond and may I wish everyone a a very H a p p y N e w Y e a r ! ! !