When to start throwing?

When the doctor/PT recommends it.

As long as he has a release, I would think you could start very easy throwing now. Maybe every other day just to get the arm/body moving. I would get some advice from your Dr on this however. I think a slow ramp is better than trying to get him ready in 6 weeks...this seems a little short to me. Like CADad suggested, find out from your Dr.

He's been released for some time. I was just trying to hit the sweet spot between total rest and starting the program.

We have actually thrown some since July just short stuff out to 90ft after a good stretch warm up.

I might go ahead and start this weekend if it's not snowing, in Houston if you can believe it!

quote:

Originally posted by cball:
I might go ahead and start this weekend if it's not snowing, in Houston if you can believe it!

Be careful if it is very cold.

My Son went through a nine month lay off due to tendenitous in his throwing shoulder and this caused him to miss his entire Junior season, so I would be very careful. Listen and get advise from PT who hopefully is experienced with baseball injuries.

If he is a Pitcher and PT says it is good to start throwing, like ours, this is how he slowly came back, remember this is after doing extensive streaching exercises before throwing:

Mid December (1-2 weeks, depends on arm):
- 15 to 20 min. light throwing 40-45 ft, concentrate on location nothing hard, then ice and run. (T-Th-Sun)
- Band execises, provided by PT, 20-30 min then run (M-W-F-Sat)

End December/Beginning January (1-2 weeks):
- Same as above only 90 ft. then run and ice.
- you can start light mound throwing, 1/2 speed, NO OFF SPEED, with location, location, location in mind, 15-20 min. Then ice.
- Band exercises stay the same, then run and ice.

2nd week in January to 3rd week:
- Long toss up to 120 ft. not too hard, just accurate, run then ice.
- Band exercises stay the same, then run and ice.
- Light Mound throwing, 1/2 speed (1st week) 3/4 speed (2nd week) NO OFF SPEED, location, location, location. Run then ice.

4th week January to 1st week February:
- Long toss up to 120 ft. a little harder and on line, just accurate, run then ice.
- Mound throwing, 3/4 speed NO OFF SPEED (Maybe Change up every now and then, depends on feel of arm), location, location, location. Run then ice.
- Band exercises stay the same, then run and ice.

I think you are getting the idea that you must not rush back too fast, especially if he is a freshman. He has a lot of years of ball left to bring him back too fast. You should also run any throwing program through your Doctor and PT to see if it is proper for your boy and keep them informed of progress.

Good Luck and enjoy these times!!

OH, and by the way, my son came back for his senior season and became 1st team All State as a Pitcher and POY for their Region. Team went to the States, so I guess he did it right.

He has to listen to his arm and not try to over do it or be tough.

If it still feels funny, take more time.

Good Luck

It seems to me that as a 14yo, the LAST thing you should be worried about is "showcasing the arm" Worry about increasing the velocity, learning how to pitch, and most importantly, your sons LONG TERM health. If he continues to hurt in the future, it really wont matter what he does this year. Youve got 2 years to get ready for the showcase time, use if wisely, and youll be putting him on the right path. Listen to his arm, and please, get a good professional pitching coach, and perhaps an ASMI certified doc.

HighCheese,
You are the only one who picked up on the showcase remark, I agree, take it slow, one doesn't have to showcase his arm at 14 (especially after injury).