PITCHING 11-12 YEAR OLDS

Question
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW SOME OF THE BEST DRILLS FOR HELPING YOUNG ASPIRING PITCHERS REACH THERE HIGHEST POTIENTIAL AS FAR AS SPEED AND ACCURACY, ALSO, I FEEL THAT CURVEBALLS AND "JUNK BALLS" SHOULD BE LEFT TO MUCH OLDER KIDS AND PREFER TO ALLOW THEM TO THROW ONLY FASTBALLS AND CHANGE UPS, AM I RIGHT ON THIS THINKING?

THANKS IN ADVANCE

JEFF S.

Answer
Jeff,

Thanks for the question and I agree with you.  I feel that it takes a very special kid who has talent and discipline to be able to throw breaking pitches properly, without risking injury.  I have taught these pitches to the pitchers on our team of 13 year olds and with a lot of work, 2-3 pitching practices per week, our kids have the pitches down and throw them correctly.  The problem with most dads teaching their kids to throw the breaking ball is that they put more emphasis on the wrist snap than the grip and release technique.  A properly gripped and thrown curveball does not require any wrist snap.  This is the technique we use and it works great.  In 10 years of coaching, I have never had a pitcher experience an injury due to throwing a breaking pitch.

With that said, I agree that the younger kids should stick to fastballs and changeups. Mainly because they tend to try to "make" the breaking pitches curve, instead of just using good technique and grip.  Then they end up with added stress to the forearm resulting in injury.

At any age, speed is great. But you don't always have that big kid who can overpower someone.  We have 4 starters on our team, all of whom throw the fastball from 65 to 70 mph.  This is definitely not overpowering, but very adequate at this age.  The difference is that we have worked to learn how to control our fastball and spot it where we want.  I call the pitches during the games and I don't just call a fastball.  I call the pitch type and the location, i.e. inside/outside, up/down.  

We have a specific bullpen session to get the control we want and it has worked great.  If you can teach your pitchers to throw low and away, even the best hitters will not hurt you. They will still get their strikeouts, but they must understand that outs are the name of the game, not strikeouts.  

I cannot attach files to these emails, so if you would send me your email address through allexperts.com, I will be happy to send you the bullpen sessions that we use to improve control.

Much of pitching is psychological.  We stress two things: 1)the most important aspect of pitching is: CONTROL; 2)the most important pitch in baseball is: STRIKE ONE.

As for strengthening the arm and increasing velocity, that is for off season.  During the season, long toss is the best way to increase strength and stamina.  Off season, we go through a good regimen of throwing, long toss, strength training with rubber tubing, running and throwing with a weighted ball.

My son is of average size for his age of 13 but throws at about 68 mph.  The average velocity for a 13 year old is about 60mph.   8 mph from 54 feet pitching distance makes a huge difference.  Throw in nasty curveball at 52-55 mph and a slider at 56-59 mph and he is almost unhittable, unless he makes a mistake.  They are still kids and they will make mistakes, you just want them to stay in CONTROL of themselves, their emotions and their mechanics.  Then they will become good pitchers.

I will be more than happy to send you the copy of our bullpen sessions if you send me your email.  Remember that baseball is a great game and must be made fun.  When they are having fun, they will win.

Coach Boss