Frequently asked questions about pitchers' health
Q: How can I increase my pitching velocity (how can I pitch faster)?
A: There is no proven way for a pitcher to improve the velocity of his or her pitches. However there are some things you can do to give you every edge in order to maximize your velocity.The first thing to do is to throw. Start by playing normal catch with your partner form 60-80 feet to loosen up. Continue to move back away from your partner until you reach a distance where you can no longer throw the ball on a line. Then incorperate a crow hop by shuffling your feet and throw the ball from a normal release point until you are using all of your effort to throw the ball as hard on a line as you can. Do this for about 40-50 throws. Work on improving your mechanics and direction to the plate. A pitching delivery should use direct all of your efforts to the target. Work on staying balanced so you can use your legs and trunk to drive the ball to the target. Balance and direction are essential in achieving top velocity.
Natural maturity and strength training will also increase your velocity.
Q: When is it safe for me to throw a curveball?
A: Most youngsters should wait to throw a curveball until entering high school. Your arm is not mature enough before this age to handle the stress put on your elbow before this. It is very important to learn the proper way to throw the curveball when beginning to throw one.