What are some drills/lifts that a high school pitcher can do to improve velocity?

Question

Please give me links to websites, suggestions, anything would be helpful...

Answer 1

Todd Jones (closer for the Tigers) recommends long toss for keeping velocity and stamina up. Additionally I would recommend Plyometrics and resistance band exercises. Resistance bands are key to developing strength in tendons and other areas (rotator cuff) that are common injury problems in pitchers.

Also, develop your core muscle groups, such as your abdominals and back muscles. Just ask Roger Clemens how much work his hips/mid-sections do while he's pitching.

Answer 2

The founder of the National Pitching Association(NPA) Tom House. Recently spoke at a convention in which I attended. He said that keeping your butt going forward before your body improves velocity. A drill to work on this is crossing your front leg over your back leg. Then, pitching the ball to the catcher while throwing a bullpen. Another thing to work on to improve velocity is to increase your flexibility in your legs. You can do this by stretching often. Do multiple stretches. Do them while you are standing around not doing anything. One more thing he said to work on was pinching your shoulder blades together. This relieves stress on your shoulder and helps to increase velocity. In Japan in order to become a pitcher a player must be able to pinch a chop stick between his shoulder blades for fives minutes. You can do this while you are sitting in class while your teacher is giving a lecture.

Answer 3

I found that throwing long toss to be an effective drill, and lower impact on your shoulder than actually pitching. I disagree with the other guys. Do work you legs, but you should also strengthen your shoulders, not only for more speed but for injury prevention. Also work the triceps.

Answer 4

each and each of the above are stable tacticts if finished good, besides the indisputable fact that, your difficulty would purely be detrimental mechanics. See a pitching coach at a education facility (that is going to cost some $) for stable diagnosis. maximum youthful pitchers (severe college age) can upload a minimum of 5mph to their fastball purely via impoving their mechanics.

Answer 5

My boys always stood at home plate and threw to the center fielder...it gave them ACCURACY and then when you move to the mound it's SO close that the ball just speeds up...same thing catchers should do so they can hit 2nd base on a pick off.

Answer 6

Work your legs! This is where all of your power comes from. Usint the proper throwing techniques to take the strain off of your arm helps too.

Answer 7

Work on your leg strength strong legs means you can dive off that mound and give you more velocity