How to Improve Arm Strength For Baseball

How to Improve Arm Strength For Baseball
By guest author: Jack Perconte

When people speak of improving arm strength they are basically asking "How can a ballplayer throw a ball faster?" This is one of the most asked questions I received from parents in my twenty one years of teaching baseball and softball. Throwing the ball faster and building arm strength for baseball and softball is basically the same thing. The answer to the question is very simple, "Throw correctly and throw often." There is no magic formula. The secret is all about good, solid throwing mechanics and throwing at least six to nine months out of the year. Of course, many experts will tell you that arm speed is based on genetics; that players are predisposed to being able to throw top speed based on their genetic make-up. I am sure they are correct, however until a player gives it everything they have, meaning the mentioned blend of good mechanics and continual throwing, players do not know what speed they are genetically capable of throwing. Every player is capable of greater arm strength if they put in the practice time. Of course, weaker armed players need to practice more than strong armed players, but weaker armed players have the most to gain, also.

With this in mind, following are tips for helping players improve arm strength:

1. At a young age, parents should have players' throwing mechanics analyzed by a professional throwing coach. Any suggested deficiencies should be addressed until correct throwing fundamentals are attained. Without the correct fundamentals, a player will not reach their potential and probably will be unable to avoid arm (shoulder or elbow) injury at some point.

2. About a month before their team practice begins, players should begin throwing two times a week, followed by three and four times a week.

3. Players should gradually increase speed and distance of throws until they are at maximum line drive distance. Players should throw at least 10 throws from this "long toss" distance and stop when their arm begins to tire or their throws begin to lose distance. Long toss is when players throw at maximum "in the air" distance without putting a big arc in the throw.

4. Once the season begins, position players should throw up to 5 days a week. No extra throwing than normal game day throwing is required. Of course, pitchers must take rest days after pitching.

5. Players should continue throwing a few days a week after their season concludes, up to nine months of the year, with two days a week performing long toss.

Players may not notice immediate improvement in arm strength, but over time they will see much stronger arms. As a coach, I have seen all players improve greatly when they stuck with a long term throwing program. Although strength training exercises do not lead directly to increased arm speed and throwing strength, it can lead to over all strength and quicker arm recovery time. Therefore, a controlled, age oriented strength training program is advised. Read more.

==========
Thanks to our sponsors:


XtenderBattingCages.com
Xtender Batting Cages For Home & Youth Baseball
Heater Combo Pitching Machine & Xtender Batting Cage Package
Heater Pitching Machines

How to Hit a Baseball : Hitting an Inside Pitch in Baseball

How to Hit a Baseball : Hitting an Inside Pitch in Baseball
expertvillage
Be quick with the hands to hit a baseball pitched on the inside of the strike zone. Learn how to hit an inside baseball with swinging instructions in this free video lesson.

Expert: Eric Herrera
Bio: Eric Herrera is a hitting instructor in Phoenix. Since playing in the College World Series, he has coached little league teams and provided hitting instructions for five to eighteen year-olds.
Filmmaker: Dustin Daniels

==========
Thanks to our sponsors:

XtenderBattingCages.com
Xtender Batting Cages For Home & Youth Baseball
Heater Combo Pitching Machine & Xtender Batting Cage Package
Heater Pitching Machines

SKLZ Reaction Ball

SKLZ Reaction Ball
ISGvids107
The SKLZ Reaction Ball is hands down on of the best fielding tools on the market. If you know of some great/bad equipment you have used or are using, share it with our Forum. http://www.isportsgallery.net/forum/

===========
Thanks to our sponsors:


Quality softball and baseball equipment

http://baseballmitts.org

http://nokonaglove.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Ripley

Baseball Fielding Drills

Baseball Fielding Drills
CoachBuford
Visit http://www.BaseballTutorials.com to see more online baseball coaching videos.

In this edition, we review some baseball and softball fielding drills you can use with your teams.

=============
Thanks to our sponsors:

http://baseballmitts.org

http://nokonaglove.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Ripley

Baseball Tips : Workout Program for Pitchers

Baseball Tips : Workout Program for Pitchers
eHowSports
There are many workouts for pitchers to do, and the essential tools you'll need are a BOSU ball, a baseball and 2- to 3-pound weights. Perform these workouts for pitchers with advice from a professional coach in this free video on baseball workouts.

Expert: Ricky Scruggs
Contact: www.centerfieldhits.com
Bio: Ricky Scruggs was a state champion in high school, played in the junior college world series two years in a row and was on the division 1 all-big west team at UNLV.
Filmmaker: Antonio Villagomez

==========
Thanks to our sponsors:

XtenderBattingCages.com
Xtender Batting Cages For Home & Youth Baseball
Heater Combo Pitching Machine & Xtender Batting Cage Package
Heater Pitching Machines

Baseball Batting Drill Video - Front Arm and Bottom Hand BatAction Drills

Baseball Batting Drill Video - Front Arm and Bottom Hand BatAction Drills
Coach2winVideos
Video shows two advanced batters using the BatAction Hitting Machine to do two popular drills used to increase bat speed and power. The BatAction Machine is a popular training tool because it is so user friendly. The BatAction Machine sets up in minutes, weighs under 35 pounds, and requires no power source. The BatAction is popular with both baseball and softball teams.

============
Thanks to our sponsors:

Recommended Baseball Sites:
Baseball Coaching Digest
Baseball Coaching Digest - Today's Post
Baseball Coaching Digest: Daily Post Archive
New Articles for Coaches
Baseball Coaching Articles by Coach Nick Dixon
New Baseball Blogs
Videos for Baseball Coaches

3 Ways to Increase Bat Speed

3 Ways to Increase and Maximize Bat Speed
By Guest Author Jarrod B.

Despite what you may think, bat speed is the single most important factor when it comes to how far you can hit a baseball. Increasing your swing speed by only 5mph can add up 25 feet of distance when you hit a baseball. Most people have the ability to increase bat speed by using a few simple methods.

1. Use the lower half of your swing more efficiently: Most players primarily swing with their upper body. As far as hitting is concerned the upper body is the weakest part of the swing. Power in the upper body is generated from the lower half. Watch your swing on video in slow motion. If the upper body starts first and your lower half follows then you know that you are losing a lot of power. Practice initiating the swing with your lower half and you should instantly be able to increase bat speed.

2. Use Overload/Underload Training: Even though it may sound complicated all this means is you should train using different weight bats. Rotate between a bat that is heavier than normal, one that is lighter than normal, and your regular bat weight. Take around 150 dry swings per day and make sure that you swing correctly each time. You don't need to go too heavy or too light, only around 3-4oz difference each time should do. Swinging wooden bats of different size and weight is a great option for overload/underload training to increase bat speed.

3. Increase Core Rotational Strength Hitting is predominately a rotational movement and power is generated by the torque created between the upper and lower body. Good hitters have a strong, stable core and are able to make powerful rotational movements. Work on core strength by doing exercises with medicine balls, stability balls, and resistance bands.

If you can increase bat speed you will become a much better hitter and hit for more power.

www.PurePowerHitting.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jarrod_B.

--------------------------------------------------

Thanks to our sponsors:

BattingCagesDirect.com
XtenderbattingCages.com
HurricaneMachine.com
QuickSwingTrainer.com
AdvancedSkillsTee.com

Suggested Links:

RottenSports.com
RottenCoaches.com
Blog4Coaches.com
WildSportsVideos,.com
BaseballCoachingDigest.com
YouthBaseballDigest.com
LittleLeagueDigest.com
SoftballBloopers.com
FunnyBaseballVideo.com
BaseballBloopersandBlunders.com