| Every kid that loves baseball has fantasized | | | | tendency, especially in kids, is to simply |
| about being a great pro pitcher and throwing | | | | try to throw the baseball as hard as they can |
| a perfect game. It's one of those universal | | | | each and every time. Again, this invites |
| American dreams of little boys everywhere. | | | | injury and can actually rob them of speed on |
| While dreams like these should never be | | | | every pitch. |
| quashed, its important for responsible adults | | | | |
| to teach kids how to pitch a baseball with | | | | The proper form is to train the elbow to lead |
| the correct form and control. Without such | | | | the hand. The elbow should stay ahead of |
| guidance, overly enthusiastic children run a | | | | hand until just before release of the |
| real risk of doing damage to their arms, | | | | baseball. This takes some practice, but once |
| elbows, and shoulder joints when throwing | | | | a child learns to do it without forcing it, |
| baseballs. | | | | he s on the path to better control, more |
| | | | power, and (most importantly) a safe baseball |
| The first thing ever kid needs to learn | | | | throwing motion. |
| before he takes the mound to pitch in a | | | | |
| baseball game is the correct form. Not only | | | | Caution: in conjunction with this move, |
| will this give his pitches more power and | | | | baseball pitchers must learn to keep their |
| control, it will also put less strain on the | | | | throwing arm's shoulder in close to their |
| important and vulnerable parts of the body. | | | | body. One of the biggest hazards is letting |
| There are two big keys for baseball pitchers. | | | | the shoulder jut forward or to the side early |
| First, it must be taught to youngsters that | | | | in the pitching motion. The elbow moving |
| effective and safe pitching is powered mainly | | | | ahead will put strain on the shoulder joint |
| by the legs, not the arm. | | | | if it isn't kept close in. Again, this takes |
| | | | repeated practice, especially for kids for |
| A good training tip is to have players watch | | | | whom baseball pitching is new and whose |
| several pro baseball games, paying close | | | | bodies are not yet under their full control. |
| attention to the form of the pitchers as they | | | | |
| wind up and throw. Have them note how the | | | | A good idea is to impress upon the young |
| legs are what propel them, and that the arm | | | | pitcher that speed isnt the top priority in |
| is really just a means of directing the ball. | | | | good baseball pitching, control is. This |
| Kids arent analyzers, and most of them will | | | | serves two purposes. First, it will help you |
| attempt to pitch a baseball using all arm | | | | slow him down in order to ingrain the proper |
| strength. This is sure path to injury! | | | | and safe movements outlined above. Second, |
| | | | its generally easier to build up speed after |
| The other crucially important aspect of | | | | control is learned when throwing a baseball |
| pitching a baseball that must be taught early | | | | than it is to learn control after speed. |
| is the role of the elbow. The natural | | | | |