Long toss vs. medicine ball

They should be doing both.

Definitely both.

quote:

He's thrown long distances and says he's lost distance and velocity.

Then he is doing the medicine ball drills incorrectly. He is allowing the weight to slow his body down.

Other than that, I would agree with doing both UNLESS this is a "rest period" which I believe is important for a thrower's arm..

Definitely do both. We usually work the long toss after light medicine balls. Of note, I think that using too heavy balls slows things down. The baseball is only, what, 5 and a quarter ounces?

Not to pile on but these are two completely different things; long toss is for shoulder health and throwing mechanics where med balls are usually for developing rotational strength used in hitting or fielding. Unless he has a new program that no one else in the baseball world is aware of, it sure sounds like they should be doing both. Maybe he meant weighted balls ala Tom House?

There a number of exercises one can do with medicine balls. Obviously, the rotational work is important, but one can also do slams (just like it sounds, slam the ball to the ground with both hands), "punches" (use a light medicine ball and push it with one hand, then the other against a wall), overhead throws and more. There is a site, Stack.com, that has a lot of great exercises. Strongly recommended...
OBC

Long toss should be done 1-2 times in-season and 2-3 times off-season...throw line drives.

Med Ball is the best tool for athletes who have not previously done a training program and should also definately be done even for higher level athletes.