All About Pitching

Conditioning The Little League Pitcher

Every parent of a Little League pitcher ages 9-13 wants their child to succeed without getting injured. However, many parents and coaches alike mistakingly believe that Little League and youth pitchers need conditioning to get stronger to improve pitching velocity while staying injury free.

They believe investing time in strength and conditioning is as important to developing a solid mechanical base. Sports science research does not agree with that view. After 13 years experience with thousands of our clients it just does not prove out.

It has, however, been proven that youth athletes or pitchers from the ages of 8-13 are actually far better off investing their time in creating better movement skills than trying to improve individual or overall muscle strength.

It is a well known fact that motor skill development in sports from ages 8-13 is the key to being a better athlete. And this 5 year term of development is a small window of opportunity if a pitcher wants to continue on to play high school baseball.

In other words, at these ages we want baseball players to invest their time in developing better movement skills and mechanical skills rather than investing time specifically in a structured strength and conditioning program. So build better mechanics and movement skills rather than trying to build muscles.

Pitching Is More About Mechanical Skills Than Strength & Conditioning

Possibly the biggest myth that exists in and around baseball at all levels is that pitching velocity is the result of strength or getting bigger and stronger. Or that weight training will reduce the risk of injury. Again, research does not support either idea.

The fact is that pitching velocity at all levels is the result of building forward momentum into a long stride which forces the pitcher's body to stretch out quickly so that it acts like a huge rubber band. This stretching out of the body puts the many muscles on stretch which builds elastic energy.

It is this elastic energy that actually whips the pitching arm through at high speed. Pitching velocity proven to have little to do with building more arm strength but everything to do with building a more explosive delivery with a long stride for not only improved velocity but better control and less risk of injury.

What most parents and youth coaches don't fully understand is that the ages of 9-13 offer a small window of opportunity to develop sport skills. Pitching is a sport skill just like hitting. You had better work on those skills early and often. For pitchers that means invest time in improving pitching mechanics.

Don't Forget - My Complete Pitching Instruction program is the only complete "pitching clinic" home study course available that is backed by real sports science research. It's designed for parents, coaches, and players of all ages. Whether you're a pitcher just starting out, or an advanced pitcher looking for answers, we make it simple to understand for both the parent and pitcher.

"Dick’s program has given me the knowledge I need as a pitching coach to help young people succeed. I highly recommend it to any pitcher Little League through college. From mechanics to conditioning to the mental aspect, everything he does is top notch. His program helped our pitchers go 29-1, have a 0.80 ERA last season, and win a State Championship."

Banks Faulkner, Gilbert Indian Baseball, Gilbert, SC

If you're serious about improving pitching performance without risking arm injury or worse reserve your copy of the Complete Pitching Instruction DVD Set today!