Flexibility in Elbow

I think you mean the shoulder since the elbow does not flex. The "sleeper stretch" is probably what you are interested in, but you need to be careful as there are those who think you can create problems in the shoulder area. Google it and google youtube.

Yes, good point about that elbow joint! I don't think I want to "stretch" that!

My pitcher son only goes back to about 120 degrees. His brother can get to 180 or so and hits 91-92. My younger guy is stuck around 85. I am told if he can increase his flexibility in this area his velocity should improve.

edit..

It's my understanding that a joint has a particular "range of motion" but doesn't flex per se. Ligaments "stretch" as a result of damage. Also, range of motion decreases, as a RESULT of the pitching motion.

quote:

Also, range of motion decreases, as a RESULT of the pitching motion.

In the elbow, that is true sometimes. Your biceps tendon can shorten causing a causing contracture which does not allow you to fully extend your elbow.

Most baseball players, especially, pitchers do not need to stretch their shoulder into external rotation. Though they may not be able to voluntarily do that motion to the fullest extent, most of them do so during a throwing motion. Also, if you stretch those muscles too much, it could decrease velocity because you can weaken those muscles.

It sounds like you are talking about the ability to externally rotate or lay back the shoulder. I'm not sure what you are saying with 45 degrees vs 70 degrees. Usually if the hand was pointing up with the elbow bent (flexed) 90 degrees then that would be 90 degrees of rotation. If the arm was then rotated back another 90 degrees such that it was parallel to the ground with the fingers pointing back that would be 180 degrees.

Pitching could reduce the overall range of motion but it will generally add to the ability to externally rotate the shoulder until age gets in the way. Range of motion is usually lost in internal rotation (rotating the shoulder the other direction, i.e. palm facing back fingers pointing down with the elbow bent 90 degrees) and that is where most stretching is done to restore that part of the range of motion. Suprisingly, that can add velocity when there's a deficit in internal rotation, although the purpose of the sleeper stretch (google it) is primarily to allow for a safer follow through. If there's a significant deficit in external rotation it could cause a velocity loss but I'd be careful about stretching it as pitching will generally do so on every pitch in any case.

Shoulders...elbows...45 degrees or 180 degrees...

Gee, I must not have had enough sleep last night! I am glad that you guys can figure out what my question was, with so many errors present in the original composition!