Do you want to know the right things to focus on in your off-season pitching program? Do you want to know when you should be up on the mound pitching? When should you be working on command and pitch design? I will show you the solution I used to get Proper Pitching Mechanics. I'll outline how I did it in detail, including what I did in the off-season to ensure I was prepared for the season.
If you're a baseball fan who's been struggling to find the right pitching off-season program, this episode is for you. You'll learn how to assess a pitcher's functional movements and get proper pitching mechanics.
The narrator describes a problem they were facing: off-season throwing programs and how to keep their kid's arm safe and happy. They go on to say that there are many misunderstood ideas about what an offseason pitching program should look like and that people are stuck in outdated mindsets. The narrator then introduces their solution: a specific program they designed with Kevin and Ben's help. The program includes throwing once a week, working on command and pitch design, and focusing on things like Band work and tile drills.
Here are the steps you need to follow also to get Proper Pitching Mechanics:
1. Assessment
2. Movement
3. Plan
1. Assessment
Assessment for a pitching program should include a physical evaluation to check for any limitations in range of motion or flexibility. This will help to identify any areas that may need to be addressed in the training program. A functional movement screen can also help assess movement patterns and identify any potential issues. Once any limitations have been identified, a pitching coach can create a program to help improve those areas.
A physical assessment is not the only assessment that should be conducted for a pitching program. A coach should also assess the pitcher's mechanics. This can be done by filming the pitcher throwing and then analyzing the footage. This will help to identify any flaws in the mechanics that may be causing the pitcher to be less effective. Once any deficiencies have been identified, the coach can then work on correcting them. It is also essential to assess the pitcher's strength and conditioning. This can be done by conducting tests such as the vertical jump and the bench press. This will help identify areas where the pitcher may be weak and need to focus on in their training. Once the areas of weakness have been identified, the coach can create a program to help the pitcher improve.
2. Movement
The second step of the process is to focus on movement. This means working on drills and exercises that help improve your range of motion and flexibility. This is important for pitchers because it helps them stay healthy and prevents injuries. It is also important for developing proper mechanics and increasing velocity.
Working on your movement can also help you develop better control of your pitches. This is important for pitchers who want to be able to consistently throw strikes and get batters out. By improving your range of motion and flexibility, you will be able to better control your pitches and throw them with more accuracy. It is also important to focus on your balance when working on your pitching mechanics. This is something that can be improved with proper exercises and drills. By improving your balance, you will be able to throw pitches with more power and accuracy.
3. Plan
The third step in the process is to assess the pitcher's movement patterns and identify any areas of concern. This can be done through a variety of different methods, including video analysis, physical assessment, and/or strength and conditioning testing. Once any areas of concern are identified, a plan can be put in place to correct them. This may involve a variety of different techniques, including corrective exercises, manual therapy, and/or strength and conditioning training.
It is important to note that not all movement patterns are considered equal. Some may be more important to the pitcher's performance than others. For example, a pitcher with a poor arm action may be more likely to experience elbow or shoulder problems down the road. As such, it is important to prioritize the areas of concern and address them in order of importance. Finally, it is important to remember that the goal is not to completely eliminate all movement flaws. Instead, the goal is to reduce the risk of injury and improve the pitcher's overall performance. This can be done by correcting the most problematic areas and then working to improve the overall efficiency of the pitcher's delivery.
The right things to focus on in your off season pitching program are command and pitch design. You should also work on things like Band work and tile drills. Proper pitching mechanics are important for developing proper mechanics and increasing velocity.
I'd love to hear how you apply The Offseason Pitching Program to get Proper Pitching Mechanics. Leave me a comment on how it went for you or drop any questions you want me to answer!
