How do I improve my arm strength in baseball? I play right field in high school.?

Question

Also, I sometimes have a hard time judging where line drives land (whether the ball will go over my head or drop in front of me) Any tips?

Appreciate it.

Answer 1

Long toss is one of the basic building blocks of improving arm strength, it can and probably should be done almost everyday. It is important to understand that long toss is not throwing on a line as hard as you can to a partner...many people don't perform long toss correctly and end up doing more damage than good.

When long tossing you should be striving to throw for maximum distance. You should be throwing the ball at about a 45 degree angle with a long smooth throwing motion...it's not the kind of throw you would make if you were trying to throw out a runner. Any long toss session should last at least 20 minutes to be effective.

Also, Theraband workouts are great for arm strengthening, they allow you to work a wide range of motions without risk of injury.

http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitching_workouts/tubing_program.swf

It is also important to work the back and core (abs and lowerback) as well, these muscles aid in throwing and are used in decelerating your arm after the throw. If they are neglected you could pull something in your back or arm. And be sure to work opposing muscles evenly. If you're working your biceps, work the triceps equally. If you're work your back, work the chest equally. If you don't work opposining muscles one group can get stronger than the other and will lead to more pulls.

I am a firm believer in theraband routines...my arm strength dramatically improved when I started using them a few years ago.

Answer 2

Like someone else said, lifting weights definetly helps. When you do focus on your core, triceps, and shoulder muscles and that will strenghthen the major muscles you need for throwing. Long toss as much as you can helps the most because it also strengthens your arm. Also when you field a ball remembr to have an exaggerated "crow hop" and that helps too.

For fielding line drives like you mentioned (I had problems with those as well, I currently play high school ball and am much improved on this) make sure you always remember to take your first step back and if you wait a little bit you should be able to judge it. Playing deeper also helps , but the main thing is first step back. Repition is also big, when you take lots and lots of fly ball practice judging the ball will come much easier, it did for me. Good luck, hopefully this helps.

Answer 3

To improve arm strength lift weights not heavy though. Use light weights and do a lot of reps. Make sure you stretch your arms before and after. Play long toss daily. Stand in right field and have the other person stand in the infield. As far as judging line drives that takes practice....the more you practice the easier it gets.

Answer 4

The easiest way is to get your coach or someone to smack line drives or pop flys into right field. Stand in between Center Field and Right field. When the ball is hit run towards the ball. Try to go atleast 8 for 10. I'm sure this'll help a lot

Answer 5

Well, what you first got do is start a running practice program, start it with an instructor or without him, this way your legs and upper boy will help you impulse in the moment you thorw the ball. Another thing to help you get flexibility and ressistence is doing running lines, for example you draw 20 lines, in parallel with 2 or 3 meter of distance each other, start running from the first to the second, and then run back to the first, then from the first to the third then go back to the first, then from the first to the fourth, then run back to the first, keep doing this until you get to the 20th. Every time you get to a line you have to touch it in the floor with your throwing arm (right or left).

Dependeing on your age, you can't throw in a manner that could get your arm injured. Try to get to a gym to examine your strenghts, and get revised by a trainer who will get the best cardiovascular and other exercises that best fit your needs for right now.

Remember that this is something that you odn't do from night to the other day, this requires a lot of discipline and you'll see progress as time passes by...

Answer 6

long tossing is the best way to improve arm strength. i play right field as well and the only way i know of to improve on line drives hit at you is to just take alot of them. stay after practice and get coach to hit fungo right at you and get a couple crates every day. also you can sometimes tell how well the ball is hit by the sound the bat makes. the louder sound usually means the ball is hit well and you should probably drop step for it.

Answer 7

Long toss and lifting weights focusing on the shoulder, bicep, and tricep. As far as line drives go. You need to take a step to try to get to the side of the ball to get a siide view of the trajectory. Line drives are the hardest ball to judge so don't feel to bad if it takes a little while to adjust.

Answer 8

My son also plays but not for high school "yet". He's too young. Weights should help, but also try push ups which help upper arm strength. As for the line drives, I recommend to always play back. It's always easier to run forward then to have to run back on the ball. Once you see that the ball is going to land infront of you, run in for the catch and throw, that way you have a shorter distance to throw. Hope this help

Answer 9

listen lifting weights properly will do anything but restrict your arm streangth, you need to lift positives and negatives. if you work your chest make cure to work your back and shoulders, if you work the bicep work your deltoid and tricep as well. long toss will help your arm streangth and accuracy but most important is you technique, you dont want to short arm the ball and tear your rotator cuff, make sure to explode with your legs and chest torwards the plate and let your arm follow. As for line drives its all about practice and even with practice your not going to be able to judge every ball properly but you need to learn how to adjust to the ball. never take your eye off, take long strides, and never cross your feet over (easy to fall, and slow recovery). just practice and work on the little things.

Answer 10

Junior baseball.com has a whole section for building a cannon arm. It gives u great workouts not only for your arm but for your bat and glove ect. Also use the brim of your hat to judge the ball. when it is hit if the ball is over the brim of your hat it is over your head.