Wanted to start another post after TJ one. There we were discussing young P arms and how to keep them healthy.
lets take to next level. What are u seeing out there w regards to College-when does coach shut down P?
At sons school(D1, for comparison) they had some Fall scrimmages,and weights program. They are now done so kids can concentrate on finals. Coach wants them to do a little long toss over Christmas break, no mound work, but be ready to go again second wk in Jan.
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At son's school this fall he pitched about 12-14 innings in scrimmages from early October to early November. Starters are then shut down until they return on 1/3, while relievers start their throwing program on 12/14. They have been doing a lot of core conditioning and/or running (every day), as well as low weight training (3-4 days/week)
2013's team ( D1) has the same approach.... some pitching in the fall, then finals and long toss etc over holiday's
My son's experience was similar to those mentioned. Scrimmages and practices in Sept to mid-Oct. Shutdown mid-Oct, Nov, Dec. He'd be running, yoga, lifting and start playing catch with me or his brothers after Xmas and return to school late Jan/Feb in great shape to begin throwing on mound.
Same here for son's D1. Pitched in the fall, shut down late Oct/Early Nov (can't remember exactly) and been lifting on a lighter schedule since. Will start throwing at home after Christmas and be ready to get going when they get back to school in January.
For people in the cold weather states -- is it OK to throw long toss outside in the Winter? Our high school coach said to be very cautions when temperature is below 40. You can hurt the arm easily. Is that true?
It all depends on the school. Son played in the ACC. Pitchers at his school were expected to be in throwing shape as soon as school started. As soon as fall practice started they were all pitching in scrimmages. Even after fall practice they continued to throw, lift, etc. The only actual shutdown was during exams. They were also expected to be in pitching shape when practice started back in January, so they really could not shut down in December. Son would come home for Christmas break and head over to the local JUCO to long toss. JUCO pitching coach was amazed because he had his guys shut down.
After the college season was over it was off to summer ball, and then start the cycle all over again. The only real shut down time that most of them got (unless injured or overworked during the D1 season) was a couple of weeks around exams, and maybe a week or so after summer ball ended.
In my opinion, this is one reason why arm injuries are common in college ball.
