How to Care for a Throwing Arm

Whether you are a pitcher or a position player, your arm is an important part of your baseball game. Proper care for your throwing arm is essential to ensure you have a strong, accurate arm and prevent injury. The rules of proper arm care are simple and should be followed by players of all ages and abilities.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Allow time before practices and games for stretching. Stretching your arm before throwing will help prevent injury.

2. Warm up before throwing full speed. Start with soft throws from a short distance and work up to hard throws from a long distance.

3. Routinely stretch out your arm with long toss. Play catch from a normal distance and gradually back up until you are 120 feet or farther apart. Try to throw the ball in a straight line instead of in a rainbow because a high arm angle can be more stressful for your arm.

4. Stop throwing and consult a coach, trainer or doctor if you feel any pain in your wrist, elbow or shoulder. Placing ice on your arm may solve the problem, but it is best to take precautions in case something is wrong with your arm.

5. Use a proper grip with throwing a baseball. Grip the ball across the long seams.

6. Wait until you are 16 or older to throw off-speed pitches such as curveballs, sliders and knuckleballs.

7. Take care of your throwing arm in the offseason by continuing to throw. Throw twice a month or more to keep your arm in shape.

Tips & Warnings

• Stop throwing when you get fatigued. Throwing often is good for arm health, but throwing past the point where you are tired can lead to injury.

Who Can Help:

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!