velocity

Jis velocity back up to what? 80 mph? 90 mph? 6- mph? what? All we;ve benn toold is well.. noting. We have no idea what he threw earlier as compared to now. We have no given clue why he's throwing less harder except for the fact that he's been working out less frequently.

How can he get his velocity bsack up to what? 70, 80, 90?
The only clue as to his decrease in velocity is because hie hasn't thrown enough so he;s in less phyisical shape, so the answer would obviosuly be....because he hasn't worked out and thrown enough? And who cares about his velocty....does he throw his pitches with any control or command? Does he have any breaking ball or off-spead pitch to compliment his fastball? Whether it be a changeup or a splitter or a breaking ball?
Does he have any mechanical flaws that result in him throwing to soft? or from throwing too hard but with no control/command?

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velocity back up to what? 80 mph? 90 mph? 6- mph? what?

My guess is that he would like to get his velocity back up to 82-84, as stated.

It's impossible to say without seeing the kid. All I could offer is the admonition, a la Neil Young, that "rust never sleeps". Good mechanics have to be constantly reinforced to be maintained. Bad mechanics creep in overnight sometimes it seems, and then are the devil to get rid of.

If he got off the straight and narrow path at some point, this could explain the loss of velocity. If there is no pain and no reason to feel there is a deep-seated fatigue problem, start from the basics and make sure he is doing the right things as far as arm action, hip action, etc.

The truth is, most high school teams do not have anyone on staff who knows diddly about pitching mechanics. It's not unusual for minor deviations from what's right for that kid to creep into his throwing motion, yet no one on the staff would notice or offer corrective instruction.

Get the kid to a pitching coach who knows what he's doing.

He/we would like to get velocity back up to 82-84 consistantly. He's started on a workout program again and travel coaches all either played college ball or at least AA so I'm sure they will help tremendously. First summer game is tommorrow so we'll see how it goes.

My name is Nick, and i am Sophomore. I am about 5'11, 150 pounds. Last year, i lsot 50 pounds. I finished off my Freshmen year with an ERA under 2 and i led my team in stikeouts. They are talking about putting me on varsity this year. My only problem is my velocity, i cant get it above 70. I dont know what im supposed to to. I am enrolled in a camp but nothing is working, please help me.

Thank you

Larsen

Larsen,

You said last year you lost 50 pounds? I am guessing you lost a lot of muscle with that weight (muscle weighs more than fat) and thus a lot of stamina and velocity. This off-season: #1) Train aerobically 4-5x week for the heart and lungs, and to build your base stamina #2) LONG TOSS 4-5x week! If you want velocity don't skip this! #3) Find a pitching instructor to perfect your mechanics. #4) Start lifting to add muscle and strength. Join a gym. #5) Do core and arm-health exercises. #6) Eat right (no pop, fried foods, carbs at night)! Especially in your case, eat protein-rich meat. Good luck. My son did all of these things and gained 9 MPH in one year.

P.S. If you have ANY medical issues check w/doc first!

From experience, gotta watch the lifting and make sure that proper form is used in weight room and pitching compatable weight exercises, less weight more reps. There are some exercises that are big no-nos for pitchers in weight room. This is because often weights decrease flexibility and arm speed. My kid was 15 and worked out like a football player his Soph. year of High School. He was built and could hit the ball a mile, but he was down on his Velo when the season started because he had built his upper body up too much and lost arm speed. So season started and less weights during season, got more limber and more the kid pitched the harder he threw. By summer after Junior year in 90s.
Long toss, Long Toss, Long toss (will increase arm speed), running, sprints and flat ground. And stretching is very important before and after all work-outs.
Each kid is different and needs to find out what will work for him individually.
My son usually goes long toss, day one, long toss, flat ground day two, Long toss flat gound day three and then bullpen or outing. Day after pitching, light toss to stretch arm. But it depends on rotation. He adjusts if it is 5-Day or as soon as three-days.
But all the pitchers run, a lot. Endurance is in hips and legs. No knee bends with chain weight machine, better to do leg presses with stable foot support. And NO military presses with the arm, bad for pitchers. Jobe exercises best for pitchers.
Always run after a pitching outing to get the lactic acid out of the body, quicker recovery time if you run after outing on mound or bullpen on mound.
Son knew a player in minor leagues and he let him copy work-outs from minor league team and they had pitchers do specific weight program very differnt from hitters/position players.
So I would say get a pitcher specific weight program and do not overdo weights. I've seen a lot of boys hurt themselves in weight room by not stretching properly, incorrect form etc.
Also Nolan Ryan used to throw a football in off-season. And that works, too.
This is some of what worked for my son, so might be what works for others.
Son also ate a ton of lean meat and vegetables.
No caffiene and limits himself to a couple of sodas a week, if that. Lots of water, my son is fond of Propel (he likes a flavor to his water)
Yogurt Smoothies great way to put on weight.
2-Yoplait yogurts (he liked strawberry/blueberry)
1-banana
handful frozen strawberries or blueberries
1-cup 1 1/2 cup milk
four-five ice cubs
Blend in blender or make your own variations.
And that's a good amount of calories about 500-600. Healthy fresh calories.
Lean steak every morning for breakfast. Nuts and trail mix is good, too. Several healthy snacks in between meals and eat throughout the day.
No need for suppliments as best to go about things naturally, it worked good that way for my son.
Hope that helps and have fun watching your boy play.

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Originally posted by Bum:
My son did all of these things and gained 9 MPH in one year.

Really? 9MPH? What was his velocity prior to this, and was he in good shape prior as well?