Prepster, Braves,Dbacks20, and anyone else....

who has a son, or close relationship to a pitcher who has moved to the next level(beyond HS)....I think it would be beneficial to lots of readers as to what the different thoughts are pertaining to taking (or not taking) time off from throwing. Coach27 could talk with Matt Harrison and relay his thoughts. There is a long thread on the HS Baseball Web about this issue. Thanks.

 

Time Off

My son always took a month and a half off around November and December. He wouldn't even pick up a ball but he would increase his running around this time. After his break he would begin throwing again nice and easy and work his way up to long tossing. Many coaches I have talked to recommended taking 4 to 6 weeks off from throwing and having long toss a part of their program. My son has never had any arm problems throughout his High School career. I'm not sure what his program will be in college but I know right now they are running and lifting only.

 

The next time I speak with him, I''ll try to remember to ask my son ("UpandIn) to come to this thread and speak directly to your question. Not only has he put a lot of time into researching training methods; but, he's always looking for opportunities to talk about it.

When he does, I think you'll hear him say that coming off the mound for 4-6 weeks is an important part of his annual cycle; and that what he does during those 4-6 weeks is crucial to both his health and his ability to throw effectively during the ensuing season. I say "coming off the mound" because I think he continues to throw on flat ground on a limited basis during this period. Throwing off the mound imparts several times the strain of flat-ground throwing; something more experts in the field wish coaches of young players knew. Additionally, as IndyDad suggested, this is a time of stepped up running and a very specific, highly targeted regimen in the weight room.

Also, as mentioned by IndyDad, his return to the mound is careful and deliberate. That evidenced itself recently when he pitched limited innnings in his team's "Fall World Series." He'd returned to the mound only two weeks before.

P.S. I look forward to seeing you and "Southern01, Jr." down the 1st baseline this Spring, as well, Southern01! You and Coach27 need to bring me up-to-speed on what's been going on in the NC scholastic ranks!

 

Funny you asked

I was just talking to Matt the other day up at the field. I asked him what was his routine during the off season. He said the Braves told him NO THROWING period untill Jan. He has a running and core program that he is supposed to do untill Jan. Then he starts long toss and flat ground throwing gradually working back into it. He said they wanted all the pitchers and catchers to rest the arm.

Prepster good to see you on here. Im looking forward to the season and I will see you up the line. Seton Hall I guess will be the first victim right?

 

My son Ryan has just returned from Instructional League with the Indians....he is basically shut down from throwing until Jan....he will be expected to work on strength and conditioning until Jan then start back up with his throwing routines to get ready for Spring Training.

 

My son Josh just finished fall practice at Clemson and is now in a conditioning / long toss program. He limited his innings this summer and took about a month off before he got to school. He threw 17 innings during the fall and won't throw off the mound again until sometime in January.

Having said all that, these guys are so dedicated and love the game so much, it's hard for them to "shut it down" even for a few weeks.

 

Kids need rest... and tme to be kids also... why not around the holidays? As long as they are conditioning and not being couch potatoes, rest will do no harm.