While it’s safe to assume that the vast majority of major leaguers possess great arm strength, a closer look may reveal something you might not expect. Players seldom during a game “air it out.” Not every pitch or play requires a player to use 100% of his arm speed/strength. But when they have to, how do they do it?

They use their lower body. We are all impressed by the shortstop who can throw 90 mph from the hole, but watch his feet. He gets his lower half in a strong position before he throws. That is the only way to accomplish it. I don’t think I ever saw a fielder or a pitcher throw 90 from an off-balanced position.

So as you start your winter training sessions, work first on getting the players in a strong, balanced athletic position before they throw. Do your fielding/throwing drills that focus from the ground up and get them moving toward their target. Not only will you find that your players can throw harder with better accuracy, but it will also help take stress off their young arms.

Baseball Zone’s Practice Planner [1] makes creating practice plans quick and easy. With over a hundred different drills to choose from, creating a well thought out plan is only a few clicks away.