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7 replies

Another long toss question

G gimages100+ posts
Son usally takes November away from baseball. No throwing or hitting. He will still continue to lift and condition all the way up to spring BB. Firt offical practice is on Jan. 28th. He plans on long tossing with a teamate every other day. He wants to start in December with long toss. That will give him two months of long toss when he starts spring practice. I suggested he also take December away from throwing. My thought is to give arm plenty of rest. Here is the question (finally). Will the gain in arm strength of two months of long toss be that much more significant than only long tossing for one month?

I put more value in resting the arm after a 2008 spring season then a full summer season followed by fall ball.
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J jdfromfla100+ posts
My opinion is that when you shut down for a month, it includes all throwing. This way you allow all of the throwing muscle groups to heal from the year of throwing they have endured. I do advise that the rest period be "active" and that contiuning to condition is good. I came by this through several recommendations of college level coaches as well as pro's.
Steven EllisSteven Ellis10+ posts
JD's right on in that most college and pro pitchers actively rest their arms for at least one month (usually two) during the off-season. No throwing, no pitching, no long toss, no light toss ... just cardio, plyos, core and strength like Bum said. You know, a lot of times, pitchers even play other sports like basketball or do cross training in the off-season. This allows them to stay active and competitive, but get their mind off of baseball for a bit.

Bum also brings up a great point that a gain in arm strength will some from long toss. And more of it. Well said!
BOFBOF10,000+ posts
Pretty much got the answers you needed above. The guys at ASMI suggest 12 weeks of "active rest" as JD mentioned - particularly for young pitchers. This is a great period to really hit the weight room.

What we did was shut down in August, he is playing in a fall ball league with no pitching. He throws a little during the game but not much. We started long tossing this week and will build up during the winter. I can see his arm strength is up after the lay off and weight/core work.

I don't think it will matter too much either way. Maybe split the difference with him Smile More rest is good, but building up arm strenth prior to season start is key to preventing injuries that carry through the season.
B BobbleheadDoll5,000+ posts
My son LT all year 3 times a week except a couple weeks at Xmas.
In college most pitchers go right into summer collegeate ball so there is very little shut down.
The guys I know in Pro ball work out all off season. One did it with my son. As soon as they get home they start callinmg to work out and throw.
At well conditioned athlete needs very little recovery time. After a tough outting they only beed 5-6 days max. Take too long and you start losing what you gained. Use it or lose it.
G gimages100+ posts
Thanks all for you great input. Son has read posts and will split the difference and start long toss somewhere around the middle of December. This will give him 6 weeks of good rest. He then will get about 6 weeks of long toss before the first practice. Sounds like a good plan. As all have suggested is is preently and will contiue to lift, carido, plyo up until practice starts in late Jan.. Thanks again.

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