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How often should a high school pitcher practice pitching and for how long? In my case 15y.o. freshman also told will play a lot of 3rd base, has no time outside of practice (in all honors classes--Yes I know I bragged about "all honors classes" so no one needs to bring that up). He has practiced all winter with summer team and saw pitching coach 2X wkly, so he is already in pretty good shape. Thanks
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TRhit -I guess I should be more specfic--How often should he practice his pitching specifically-pitcher to catcher -to stay sharp-how many pitches? How many Xs a week? I know a regular basis, a regular basis to one person is everyday to another it is 2X week. I know on this site there are many people who have been there and done that, I am only to the high school freshman level and am trying to tap into the wealth of experience on this site. Thanks agian.
I would say before the season starts to throw everyday off of flat ground. Take a bullpen probably 2-3x per week consisting of about 25-30 pitches.

Once the season starts, you have to work around pitching starts. I would say to take one, maybe two bullpens a week. Throw everyday except maybe the day after you pitch, depending on pitch count.

If you are not doing it, continue with band work in addition to the throwing.
Long toss every day including a healthy pull down session to 60-80 ft this can be his flat ground work. Partner should have his glove on opposite hip and he should throw to it. This takes time 20-30 mins and most coaches don't get it but try anyway.

Light throwing day after pitching, lots of running.

Agree with bbman 2-3 bullpens per week. This has to work around his playing/pitching schedule. More pitching less bullpens.

Bull pens should have the same pattern. FB work at corners (6), CU's x 4 - FB work at corners - CB's x 4. End work from the stretch. 1-3 simulated batters. 30 pitches. This will allow him to keep his feel.

If the coaches are not putting him in the pitchers work outs then they don't see him as a pitcher for some reason.

There is no reason he can't recruit a catcher to catch him after practice. If he is not pitching in games then do a bull pen on the side, during or after a game. If he wants to pitch he has to arrange to get the work in without you. Encourage him but it should be his deal at this point.

Pitching lessons are for the off season as most HS programs have 2-3 games per week, practices daily and you don't want to burn him out.
Last edited by BOF
Baseball Dad 46,

quote:
“How often should a high school pitcher practice pitching and for how long”

This all depends on his Biological age, not his chronological age. If he is biologically 19 he should train all year and compete all year, this is when all of his growth plates in his elbow and shoulders areas have finally closed. Your child could be biologically 19 and chronological 17 years old When you start training you train every day, when you start competition you still train every day but at half the time and resistance.
If he is biological aged 16 to 18 the elbows have solidified and more vigorous specific training and motor skill activity can be. He should take off Aug, Sept. Then in October start a Sport specific interval-training program timed to peak in March no breaks. If your child is chronologically 15 and biologically 14 you hold off on the longer inning competitions and training.
quote:
“ In my case 15yo. freshman also told will play a lot of 3rd base.”

Throwing from third base will make him a better pitcher because he we be practicing a more upright rotational throw where he will learn to line up.
At this biological age 13 to 15, half of your elbow growth plates are still only open and subject to damage with ballistic overstress and at any time. Evulsions at this age are many (tendon off bone).It is important for you hear at this age to get the biological age right. The only way you can actually know is to get x-rays of both his elbows and let you radiologist tell you if they are still open. It is most important to get elbow X-rays at his sixteenth birthday and it must be both sides. Glove and ball. The training for this group is the same as the 16,17, 18 group except lesser resistance and lesser competition.
Biologically aged 10 thru 12 should be training lightly 60 days before competition and only for 3 months of the year. They should be allowed to go thru the first nine batters no matter how well or bad then be relieved. Once a week.
Biologically aged 8,9 year olds should train lightly 60 days before competition and compete no more than 6 batters a week, with this approach all youth would have to participate and spread the destructive load of maximal ballistic competition
quote:
“ has no time outside of practice”

I only hear this excuse from baseball people never from Olympians of the same age.
quote:
“in all honors classes”

This is where you have an advantage, show him the science of human motor movement and exercise physiology and he will learn the way it is done by serious elite athletes.
quote:
“He has practiced all winter with summer team”

He plays one sport? This means the training schedule is easy.
quote:
“saw pitching coach 2X wkly”

Is he now capable of videoing and training himself from using this service?

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