Trying to get my pitchers to throw harder...

[jbolt_2000]

I have about 6 kids (9-10 y/o) that are good pitchers on our team, but none of them have the power in their pitches that I have seen other teams have.

Is there something I can help with to get more power/speed out of their pitches or is does it just come down to arm strength at that point?

I have my kids throw and do long toss drills a couple times a week but it doesn't seem to improve power or speed. Could it be something in their mechanics? They can all use a little adjustments here and there, but for the most part they are on point with mechanics.

Could it be that the kids on other teams I've seen just have stronger arms? I'm wondering if my kids just need to build arm strength or if I need to adjust their mechanics a little.

If it is mechanics, what do I look for (pushing off back leg, rotation, arm slot, etc...)???

[Mark H]

The long toss is good (read Jaeger for the how details) but what they show may be all they have. Do they throw harder in the field than they do in pitching. If not, may be time to start hitting spots and changing speeds all the while continuing the long toss.

[TG Coach]

In 9/10's you work on their throwing and pitching mechanics. Often 9/10's lack good balance. They're too young to be concerned with physical training.

[stejay]

Where are you from? You could get a former pitcher to come and help you. We had a former CF for the Indians come and help out for a few weeks at my team when I was younger, but I can't remember his name.... It made us hitters play more varieties of strokes, and techniques into hitting the ball that I still remember today.

[metrotheme]

They're 9-10 ... what do you expect. There is a WILD range of developmental levels in this age group. The more they throw, the stronger their arms will get. It's not about having a hard throw at this point, it's about them learning the fundamentals and trying to pitch with some degree of control. Speed will come. Getting them to try to throw hard may just lead to injuries as they will try to totally alter their mechanics.

[korp]

I would say stick to some long toss, keep good mechanics and maybe a little fun conditioning but remember they are young and no need to burn them out on a great game. Also kids develop at different speeds due to genetics so that can play a role.

[Brian McKenna]

The main problem with kids that I see is they don't throw enough between games to build up the arm strength.

[jamesh23]

what happened to good ol little leage 9-12 year olds and only the the 11-12 yr olds got to throw cuz they threw the hardest? dont worry about having your babies doing long toss, let them have fun.

[jbolt_2000]

I guess I'm not really saying that they have to throw harder. I was just curious as to why some others may throw harder than every one of my guys. I would have figured that one or two would be hard throwers, but that's not the case.

I definitely focus on throwing strikes and location. I am not worried too much that my kids don't throw hard, because at this level most of the batters will striking out or getting on with walks. We usually only see about 3-4 hits per team per game. And that is on a good day!

I was just thinking that maybe I was missing something while trying to develop the pitchers.

It looks like I am not, and should just keep working with them. And eventually they will get the speed.

[jbolt_2000]

I would say stick to some long toss, keep good mechanics and maybe a little fun conditioning but remember they are young and no need to burn them out on a great game. Also kids develop at different speeds due to genetics so that can play a role.

This is what I've come to conclusion with.

Thanks!