How to improve arm strength

[vdubya]

My 11 yo came to me wanting to know how to learn to throw the ball harder. He was cut from a travel team in tryouts because his arm was considerably weaker than the others. He has a great glove, but would only fit at 2nd base because his throws are very weak. He is on the small side, but cannot throw out a decent 11yo runner from shortstop even if hit sharply.

Are there drills or regimens that could turn him around? I think he's looking to show up in the spring with a night-and-day difference. His 7yo brother throws a little harder and I am not exaggerating here.

I figure with a few months off and his apparent motivation we could bring him up a notch or two. With his bat and glove, he would make almost any team if his arm was even 'average.'

Any help appreciated.
VW

[baseballer6]

Maybe he has poor mechanics and that is why he can't throw well. here is a site that is for pitching mechanics but they can be used for throwing at any position. freedommechanics.com

[Go Cardinals]

put up video of him throwing....

[steve R]

Excellent suggestion. The Politic of Pitching DVD found at freedommechanics is an excellent instructional DVD for learning the correct mechanics. It takes you step by step and Jeremy is always willing to help.

Thanks :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Go Cardinals]

Maybe he has poor mechanics and that is why he can't throw well. here is a site that is for pitching mechanics but they can be used for throwing at any position. freedommechanics.com

bad site......

[vdubya]

Regarding the mechanics, he has been to clinics, and even took pitching instruction for 12 weeks last year from a former AAA player. His mechanics are as taught, though it doesn't look very natural. They had him (basically) turning, facing the ball away from his body with hand high and then throwing.

To me, I guess more of a circular motion with the shoulder looks more natural...something like a freestyle swimming motion, but what do I know. It just seems like he would involve his core more that way.

I can try to get some video, but it will take a while to figure out how to post it.

Thanks for the replies.
VW

[Jon Doyle]

The video will show a great deal. But at such a young age there's only so much you can do while he develops and grows into his body.

Typically helping your son utilize his body in an efficient way is the safest and most effective way to increase "arm strength" at such a young age.

My favorite way to do this is performing a variety of medicine ball throws with a light 2-3 pound medicine ball.

It's fun, safe and extremely effective for his age

[StraightGrain11]

Does he play long toss? My father started me when I was 10 on the advice of an ex minor leaguer. As a freshman in HS, I could out-throw almost every junior and senior on the team (low throws, with high accuracy, and no pain); as a sophomore, I could out-throw them all. My advice is long toss - everyday.

[Ursa Major]

Vdubya said: Regarding the mechanics, he has been to clinics, and even took pitching instruction for 12 weeks last year from a former AAA player. His mechanics are as taught, though it doesn't look very natural. They had him (basically) turning, facing the ball away from his body with hand high and then throwing.

To me, I guess more of a circular motion with the shoulder looks more natural...something like a freestyle swimming motion, but what do I know. It just seems like he would involve his core more that wayI don't think the two types of throwing approaches are necessarily mutually inconsistent. What you described as what he's been taught is a good way to finish the throw, but a little more of the "circular motion" you describe may help get a rhythm going that helps to engage the legs and torso more. Too much instruction can lead to a mechanical set of steps that don't develop the rhythm and muscle tension needed to really wing it.

I'm a big believer in good long toss at that age. You don't necessarily need to do it know -- it's a long way to spring and some of those muscles (including the mental baseball muscles -- need a little time away from the game to avoid burnout. Try getting a mini-football (one that's larger than a tiny won but small enough that he can easily grip it) and play catch with it. One thing that throwing a football does is emphasize the need to keep the hips closed and the shoulders pointing at the target until the last instant.