quote:
Originally posted by StyleMismatch:
CoachB,
I'd be interested in hearing more details about your throwing program using the softballs. Long toss? Throwing bullpens w/ softballs? # of reps etc.
thanks
We do a series of throws starting on our backs on the gym floor. Arm extended out and the elbow in a 90 degree. We give commands , check elbow (to see that it is a 90 degree), lift (lift your head to see the person you are throwing to), then throw. We check the spin on the ball to be sure that it is spinning correctly. BTW, our feet are spread slightly and we also lift our upper torso on throw. We finish with our throwing hand toward the knee opposite of our throwing hand. After this, we stand and get a chair. We do a drill I once heard Noland Ryan speak of. We put our stride foot on the chair. We then have our arm "up and out" with the elbow in a 90 degree. We throw the ball to our teammate and try to put our chest on the knee which is propped up by the chair. We then switch the chair to the back leg and repeat but now, we are trying to release the ball and then "step over the soda can." Next, we get two of our portable mounds and step onto these mounds but throw from the landing area upwards toward the rubber. This is just more emphasis of what we are trying to achieve with the chairs. After this, we play catch at 80 feet and 120 feet. Then we do a series of band work. We wrap up with wrist roller and heavy jump rope work. I apologize because I probablly didn't do justice to our workout here. We are doing several other activities also and so, our kids rotate to these as "stations."
Our softballs are very safe with the self-tapping screws. We have to be sure that we don't cause damage to the gym and so they are really embedded in the ball. As far as injuries from this activity, we have a trainer monitor all of this work and our kids check in everyday during their homeroom/lunch period to get further work in. NOTHING THAT WE DO IS MY IDEAL ALONE. WE ALWAYS INCLUDE OUR TRAINER IN ANY OF OUR WORKOUTS.
