Comprehensive Pitching Program

If you are in New England the first name that comes to mind in Eric Cressey at Cressey Sports Performance in Massachusetts.  If you are a little further north in New England then Austin Wasserman in Nashua, NH is worth a look.

Oldest son worked out at Cressey last year. Very reasonable $ IMHO.  Really helped him get back on track  

He also threw with Christian and Matt a couple times per week. 

Highly recommend Cressey!

My son is a catcher and works out at AB Athletics (Austin Wasserman) in Nashua.  AB has been tremendous, for both strength and conditioning and throwing (mechanics, velocity...).  A lot of pitchers there.  Can't say enough good things about AB.  My son has also caught bull pens for Christian at Cressey. I think Cressey's reputation and client list speaks for its self.  

Thank you for your responses - very helpful.  From a velocity perspective, I'm interested in hearing whether people feel that with proper mechanics (lessons), growth and strength training, that velocity will take care of itself if the athlete has the potential to throw that hard.  Or do most high school pitchers who eventually make it to the high 80's and 90's incorporate some velocity-specific training and if so, is that something that they usually do on their own outside of lessons and strength training?

Well certainly proper mechanics, growth and strength training are all important.  I think the better question is what is the potential negative to doing velocity training?  I suppose with poor mechanics or supervision it could lead to injury, but if it's done in concert with properly coached mechanics and strength training at a reputable facility like Cressey or AB Athletics, what would be the reason not to do focused velocity training?   A well coached program will encompass all of those variables.  I would think you'd set up a meeting with a qualified coach/facility where they can evaluate your son and offer educated suggestions, based on his needs and potential.

Cressey & AB/Wasserman know their stuff.  I would trust either.

Driveline's Hacking the Kinetic Chain covers mechanics, strength, velocity, arm care, etc. and is fantastic--if you're looking for a remote/do it yourself type solution.  Also check out TreadAthletics remote training.

In the end, it mostly comes down to working your butt off with any of those solutions.   They would give you a good roadmap.  I would not rely on local pitching lessons for the most part, unless the coach has been committed to learning the latest and greatest stuff.  Most teach what they were taught/worked for them, but that doesn't guarantee success (in fact it may hinder it for others--due to cookie cutting).  I say all this as both a high school pitching coach and dad of a pitcher.   

If you are in New England, you should make the trip to Cressey Sports Performance in Hudson, MA. Definitely a no brainer. Throwing trainers there and Eric himself are familiar with our weighted ball programs and can help you integrate it if that's something you want to get into. I do not know Christian there, however.

Austin Wasserman is excellent as well in Nashua, NH. Two great options.

Driveline's remote training (Driveline U) is a very intensive four-month course that teaches your son to teach himself. It's for a very specific targeted niche of clientele who want very hands-on work, very customized planning, and regular tests by Matt, our lead pitching instructor. It's a great program that I'm happy to stand behind, but it is a large commitment with a defined timeline. Our experience with monthly remote training packages at a lower price flooded our trainers and frankly the quality was not up to our standards, so we went in another direction.

2020pitcherparent posted:

Thank you for your responses - very helpful.  From a velocity perspective, I'm interested in hearing whether people feel that with proper mechanics (lessons), growth and strength training, that velocity will take care of itself if the athlete has the potential to throw that hard.  Or do most high school pitchers who eventually make it to the high 80's and 90's incorporate some velocity-specific training and if so, is that something that they usually do on their own outside of lessons and strength training?

I have a 14 year old 2020, lol, love this age gap!  He is also a pitcher and has been told to:

1. LONG TOSS twice a week (absolutely vital)

2. Core strength training at a facility that will take into account any deficits he has, i.e. weak hips, left side not as strong...etc. while strengthening his core.

3. Arm conditioning program in the off season that deals with bands, plyoballs, and strengthening his shoulder muscles.

All of that will help with muscles, then it is about repeatable mechanics (lessons). Specifically working on the ground, because without the down hill slope of the mound the ground is what really tells you if he's coming out of the pitch correctly.  Biggest problems at this age seem to be dropping the elbow, flying open too soon, and not staying on their line.

2020, I sent you a PM.  Look for the red number above your name on the right hand corner of the screen.