Developing Healthy, Strong Pitching Arms

with Steve Smith,
Tennessee Tech Head Coach;
former Auburn University Assistant Baseball Coach;
coached Casey Mize, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2018 MLB Draft;
former Baylor University Head Coach; inducted into the Baylor Athletics Hall of Fame (2006);
5x Big 12 Coach of the Year; 2012 Midwest Region Coach of the Year;
President of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) in 2008;
over 740 career wins; USA Baseball National Team Head Coach (2005), USA Baseball Pitching Coach (1998)

and

Chris Joyner,
Auburn University Baseball Strength and Conditioning Coach;
former MLB Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the Milwaukee Brewers ('07-'10) and Toronto Blue Jays ('14-'17)

and

Anthony Sanderson,
Auburn University Senior Athletic Trainer

Pitching is one of the most taxing positions in baseball. The stress placed on the pitching arm from repeatedly throwing as hard as possible, from an elevated mound, can easily lead to injuries.

In this video, veteran coach Steve Smith explains his arm care program, including how to prepare the arm on game day or the day after a game, as well as his favored mobility work and preventative care.

Day After Game Day

A challenge pitching coaches face is what to do the day after a game or heavy bullpen session. The player must continue to be productive, but cannot have a heavy strain on their arm. Coach Smith gives you a variety of low impact drills that will help your pitcher improve while keeping their arm healthy.

Preventative Arm Care

Preventative arm care is an important element to building a durable pitcher. Pitchers can prevent many arm problems by constantly working on their arm strength and mobility. You'll learn strength exercises and stretches that will keep a pitcher's arm strong, yet loose enough to throw a baseball hard with whip. Strengthening drills are offered for the shoulder and forearm, which are common areas of injury for pitchers.

Mobility

Better athletes typically make better pitchers. Teach your pitchers how to move like athletes to help them develop body awareness. Helping pitchers understand how the body moves in space will help them learn how to use their body to produce force.

Two Days Out and Bullpen Day Arm Care

Building up to game day, Coach Smith shows the work his pitchers put in two days before a game. Additionally, you'll see how to teach your pitchers to warm up properly before a bullpen session with band work to prepare and activate the arm.

This video is packed with tons of drills and exercises to keep your pitchers' arms strong and healthy. Let Coach Smith show you how to take your hurlers to the next level with his proven arm care system!

87 minutes. 2019.