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