I've haerd that throwing a football can be benificial for catchers. Similar throwing motions.What do you guys think. Thought I'd tap into some knowledge in here for advice. Thanks in advance
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Apparently nearly all positions and pitchers think it's a good throwing workout at my sons college. He just made me aware of the practice this past year.
I've never heard of it for catchers. It kinda makes sense.
I have been told, though, that Nolan Ryan used to warm up with a football before throwing a baseball...
I have been told, though, that Nolan Ryan used to warm up with a football before throwing a baseball...
It's not so much the football as it is the correct motion for a catcher. But if the football is what makes it happen then so be it.
What was the reason for pitchers? I remember Tom House was the guy who really supported it and brought it en vogue but I can't remember what it did.
What was the reason for pitchers? I remember Tom House was the guy who really supported it and brought it en vogue but I can't remember what it did.
my son has never used footballs for catcher training.
My son does the football once in awhile.
He does do a softball for his long toss throwing program. Then the last couple of tosses he uses a hardball.
He uses Greg Maddux's Throwing Program
LONG TOSS PROGRAM
"I'll start playing long toss in January. If I can throw it 200 feet, I try to throw it 300 feet. I don't stop at 120 feet; I throw it as far as I can." –Greg Maddux, Atlanta Braves
"Without the opportunity to long toss the arm isn't able to gain the strength, length, and endurance it needs. Your arm will eventually reject you." - Seth Etherton, Cincinnati Reds, Former 1st Round Draft Choice
The way to develop big league arm strength is simple: throw.
The following is a sample long toss throwing program. It can be performed in the off-season and in-season, as a general maintenance throwing program.
If you're going to use it in the off-season, to get your arm in shape, perform the routine about two times a week.
It takes about 12 minutes to do.
1. Warm up by playing light catch
2. Throw at 60 feet for 4 minutes
3. Throw at 90 feet for 3 minutes
4. Throw at 130 feet for 2 minutes
5. Throw at 160 to 180 feet for 2 minutes
6. Cool down at 45 feet for 1 minute, working on spins
Try to throw with a limited arc on the baseball, and use proper throwing mechanics by taking a small crow hop with each throw. It's OK if a player has to bounce the ball to his partner, particularly at the start of the throwing program, in the off-season. After a couple of weeks with this routine, you'll be amazed at the improvement, and you should find that you're able to get the ball to your partner without having to bounce it. Once the arm is use to the distance feel free to add some time or lengthen the distance.
STICK TO THE PROGRAM AND YOU WILL SEE RESULTS!!!
He does do a softball for his long toss throwing program. Then the last couple of tosses he uses a hardball.
He uses Greg Maddux's Throwing Program
LONG TOSS PROGRAM
"I'll start playing long toss in January. If I can throw it 200 feet, I try to throw it 300 feet. I don't stop at 120 feet; I throw it as far as I can." –Greg Maddux, Atlanta Braves
"Without the opportunity to long toss the arm isn't able to gain the strength, length, and endurance it needs. Your arm will eventually reject you." - Seth Etherton, Cincinnati Reds, Former 1st Round Draft Choice
The way to develop big league arm strength is simple: throw.
The following is a sample long toss throwing program. It can be performed in the off-season and in-season, as a general maintenance throwing program.
If you're going to use it in the off-season, to get your arm in shape, perform the routine about two times a week.
It takes about 12 minutes to do.
1. Warm up by playing light catch
2. Throw at 60 feet for 4 minutes
3. Throw at 90 feet for 3 minutes
4. Throw at 130 feet for 2 minutes
5. Throw at 160 to 180 feet for 2 minutes
6. Cool down at 45 feet for 1 minute, working on spins
Try to throw with a limited arc on the baseball, and use proper throwing mechanics by taking a small crow hop with each throw. It's OK if a player has to bounce the ball to his partner, particularly at the start of the throwing program, in the off-season. After a couple of weeks with this routine, you'll be amazed at the improvement, and you should find that you're able to get the ball to your partner without having to bounce it. Once the arm is use to the distance feel free to add some time or lengthen the distance.
STICK TO THE PROGRAM AND YOU WILL SEE RESULTS!!!
My son has thrown footballs and just about everything else you can mention but to my knowledge has never thrown footballs as a baseball specific workout. But I agree with coach2709 when he says: "if the football is what makes it happen then so be it"