Posts Tagged ‘ball’
Baseball Weighted Ball Training
Author: Baseball Bob
The Most Important Factor in improving a pitcher’s speed and control is pitching mechanics
Football is a physical sport, so it makes sense for players to want to bulk up with plenty of muscle and weight to fly across the field and make tackles. Baseball, on the other hand, is not a contact sport. While physical skills are certainly beneficial in the game, brute strength isn’t one of them – most especially if you’re a pitcher (who people don’t expect to be the world’s best hitter or runner). Why, then, do too many pitchers train for strength when they should be working on their baseball pitching mechanics?
Which physical skill do you think helps more: strength or speed? When it comes to pitching a baseball, speed wins. No, strength training isn’t necessary to gain speed, either. First, the mind has to understand pitching mechanics, then the body has to practice them – so that executing proper position and form is as natural as slipping a hand into a batting glove. Since the body and not the arm controls speed, once a player learns the proper body positioning, everything else falls right into place.
What are some things to think about that will encourage a pitcher to gain velocity through good pitching mechanics instead of attempting to increase strength? Don’t do weight training, throw weighted balls, or focus on the long toss. Remember, this will only make the arm stronger, not the pitcher. In fact, these are sure ways to simply increase chance of injury, so it is doubly important to avoid them. Neither are pitching drills or other excessively repetitive exercises helpful.
Should the pitcher, then, instead do the complete opposite and simply practice by playing “catch” or doing anything less than game intensity pitching? No. Just because the pitcher should be concentrating on training his whole body to use proper pitching mechanics – instead of focusing on his arm through tunnel vision – doesn’t mean his practice shouldn’t be intense.
Keep the body under control by limiting unnecessary and speed-decreasing movements. Don’t rotate your trunk or hips. Don’t step to the side before lifting your leg or lift your leg too high. Implement a longer stride, however, to put you closer to the plate and add to your overall control. While position is important, don’t obsess over “staying tall”, as this can actually shorten your stride. Don’t forget: In baseball, speed outranks strength, and speed is gained not through strength and baseball pitching drills, but through mechanics. With good mechanics, a pitcher will simultaneously acquire both faster speed and better control.
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SKLZ at Americas Baseball Camps
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Rawlings 3-Inch Weight Balls $23.24 A weighted ball program is the key to building your arm strength. This set of 3 weighted balls features 1 7 oz., 1 9 oz., and 1 11 oz. ball. Hand sewn cover. Includes: Pro drills and instructions…. |
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TAP Extreme Duty Weighted Ball The 7 oz TAP Extreme Duty Weighted Ball is a pliable, sand-filled ball that is squeezable and easy to handle. It is the approximate size of a baseball and can be used for both throwing and hitting drills. These balls were designed to be used in close quarters or in environments where rebounding is not desired. These balls can be used as tools to improve arm strength and increase arm speed throug… |
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Markwort The Cannonball Weighted Ball $26.00 Throw against a solid wall, such as concrete or brickPerfect for rehabilitation, toning, therapy, muscle memory, strengthening and warm-upSmaller than official size softballs allowing men, women, and youth to warm up with the same ballWarning: Weighted balls should be used with caution and with proper supervision and instruction. The seller hereby expressly disclaims all warranties, either express… |
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SKLZ Weighted Baseballs 2-Pack (Yellow 10 oz, Black 12 oz) $24.86 Strength Training Baseballs. Build greater throwing and pitching strength with heavy standard sized (9 circumference) baseballs. 2-packs include 9 oz. (yellow) and 12 oz. (black) weighted balls. Same construction and materials as an official baseball… |
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CANNONBALL – WEIGHTED TRAINING SOFTBALL $18.95 Slightly smaller than a softball. Weighs 16 oz. Great tool to strengthen muscle groups in the forearm and shoulder. Not recommended for distance throwing…. |
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Champro Advanced Weighted Baseball Set $19.95 Weighted training baseballs used to improve throwing and arm strength. Training program included…. |
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Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Softball $9.99 The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Softball is the most comprehensive and up-to-date softball-specific training guide in the world today. It contains descriptions and photographs of over 80 of the most effective weight training, flexibility, and abdominal exercises used by athletes worldwide. This book features year-round softball-specific weight-training programs guaranteed to improve you… |
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Valeo WFB6 6 lb. Weighted Fitness Ball (6 lb) $11.07 Weighted Fitness Ball 6 lb Available in 5 weights: 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 lbs. Soft vinyl covering for superior grip 5″ Diameter for easy grip Helps develop strength Great for all fitness levels Includes exercise wall chart… |