Best time of the year to get pitching lessons.

How is it "3 months rest" if he still throws even once a week?   He should have 3 months where he literally does not not throw a Baseball.

To answer your question:  I would start the lessons in November/December.   Just make sure to pick a great instructor.  An average instructor can do more harm than good.

Cressey recommends 3 months of no throwing at all (just Lifting weights) but does that apply to youth Players too? I think it makes sense to not throw anything for 6 weeks or so after the season but wouldn't be some light throwing ok after that? after all mlb Players throw much more innings.

In my opinion it is even more important for youth players to take 3 months off from throwing, than adults, yes.  

The consensus among just about all of those involved in injury prevention & surgery is that 2-3 months / year of no overhand throwing is the ticket. Part of the problem is this: When should the 2-3 months take place given your above plan? He is committed to a November & December throwing program with the HS. If he were to bow out of this, how would it be viewed ?  In my opinion, the ideal time to shut it down is Nov-Dec-Jan & then crank it back up leading into the Spring. This is when he should get the instruction.

My 2C is that many of these Winter throwing programs are a disaster. 80% of the activities are great such as lower body & core explosive actions. Take those activities & run with it. The band work also makes some sense. Skip the extreme throwing & launching of weighted baseballs. This is utter nonsense & has no correlation to increasing velocity. Velocity is not generated from overcoming the resistance of a 5 oz baseball. Yordano Ventura is 5'11" 180 & probably cant bench press his own weight but can throw 100, how? Did he get there from tossing 10 oz baseballs all Winter? I would wager against.

I know I am swimming upstream here against the tide. No offense meant to his / your wanting to improve with the throwing program. There will be pressure because if he does not do it, the perception will be that he is not willing to put the work in. This does not make it the correct decision. Best of luck either way!

Throwing program is mostly long toss and throwing mechanics. I am still new to high school, but I have not heard of anything with weighted balls.. We are in GA and the HS season first game is 2/13 so it is more just ramping up for the season.  I believe the first team practice starts mid January.  My point is that the baseball season is basically year round with some type of activity. Are you better off to ignore the "3 month rule" for lessons. Or take lessons at the same time as the throwing program(optional but " highly recommended") , or just wait for the season?  I am just looking for what others have done that has been successful and healthy.

If you buy into the 2-3 months down time theory, then Nov- Dec would be shut down completely from throwing. He will have to crank it back up in Jan to be ready for opener. Long tossing during the shut down time would be 100% in contrast to what is suggested by those who cut on these pitchers elbows for a living suggest.

I think you are right on schedule.  Last threw in July, take Aug/Sept/half of Oct with no throwing.  Light throw to building up arm strength starting November.  You can sit down with a good pitching coach and map out the build up to tryouts and his whole season.  It should include the throwing with his teammates plus lessons/bullpens with the pitch coach.  Work back from the start of tryouts.

The three months off are for strength and conditioning.  And hunting/fishing and other sports.

This will be a little different for everyone.  There are absolutes and variables.  The absolutes, IMO, include no P lessons during down time or while ramping the arm back up after down time.  The arm should be in good throwing shape when taking lessons.  Otherwise, you defeat the purpose and put the arm in harm's way.  Also, if you are in-season, you must coordinate your lessons carefully as to not interfere with your game innings and/or other team work.  If you are not used much on the team, this can be done.  If you are a regular P/workhorse for the team, it can be a particular challenge to take lessons during season.  Communication with your team coach/es (HS, club, travel, or whatever is in season at the time) on timing and load of lessons is a must.

So, for most, the ideal time for lessons is either immediately before or after season when the arm is in pitching shape.  Advantages of pre-season include that the info is fresh in mind and you can go in for minor "tune-ups" if something isn't working quite right.  Advantages of post-season include that you have time to make habit of mechanical tweaks and get comfortable with them before next season rolls around.  With both, you must commit to what is taught and continue to work on the adjustments for them to do any good.

Periodic tune-ups are fine any time if arm is in shape and proper consideration is given to timing.

Last year, son shut down his arm after last fall tourney Oct 15ish, he started his strength program, but, absolutely no throwing at all till Dec 15th.  2 month complete shutdown. 

Team started weighted ball work Dec 1, he joined them Dec 15th, by second week of Jan he started throwing easy long toss and had 3 weeks of ramp up time, then started working with his pitching instructor.  By March 1 after 6 lessons and an easy ramp up he was ready to go for HS ball. 

We live in the Midwest with a later HS start March 1, bull pens weekly till games at the end of March.

The complete shut down, followed by a well supervised band and weighted ball program really helped him.  Arm didn't hurt once all season.  He's a closer for varsity, normally never more than 40 pitches an outing once a week, so easier to manage.  Son was meticulous with prepping his arm and care for his arm afterward.  

Go44dad posted:

I think you are right on schedule.  Last threw in July, take Aug/Sept/half of Oct with no throwing.  Light throw to building up arm strength starting November.  You can sit down with a good pitching coach and map out the build up to tryouts and his whole season.  It should include the throwing with his teammates plus lessons/bullpens with the pitch coach.  Work back from the start of tryouts.

The three months off are for strength and conditioning.  And hunting/fishing and other sports.

I was thinking along the same lines. If he hasn't thrown since July 20th, you are already a month and a half into three months off. 

The challenge for junior pitchers is to pace your self with rest in August so that you're able to pitch at fall showcases and tournaments which can go till the first weekend in November, then you shut down for Nov, Dec, and hopefully January.  

We have a few pitchers on my son's team that shut down completely Aug 1 and now their trying to go to fall showcases without the proper ramp back up and bull pen schedule. Seems like they have now taken so much time off they're out of sync to perform at the showcases where their target colleges are attending.  They should have been talking with their pitching instructors to establish a time line for rest, ramp back up, then time for complete shut down.

 It's hard for player, different mileage on arms with different fatigue levels, and different college interests with different showcase dates.