at what age is it appropriate to begin throwing curveballs?

Every summer, the Little League Earth Series comes on the Telly and I shudder. Why? Because at that place are eleven and twelve year old kids throwing curveball afterward curveball subsequently curveball. Before starting a witch hunt, there is mixed evidence to show that breaking balls does any more harm to young artillery than fastballs or modify-ups. However almost baseball game experts agree that the torque placed on young pitchers' elbows is greater when throwing curveballs and sliders. Ask any bullpen, and they will probably tell you the aforementioned.

There is no ane clear cut answer as to when youth pitchers should offset throwing breaking balls. Today, we will go over the purpose of curveballs, the damage throwing breaking balls tin do to immature artillery, what really matters when protecting pitchers' arms, and give our opinions on when to begin throwing breaking balls.

Youth Baseball is About Developing Skills, Not Winning at Whatsoever Cost

Before nosotros become into the nitty gritty, a cursory reality bank check - youth baseball is non about winning at any price. Coaches, parents, and players all want to win. Equally Herm Edwards would say, "y'all play to win the game". Simply little league is not the MLB, and the health and condom of youth athletes is paramount.

The temptation of instruction immature pitchers to throw curveballs and sliders is unproblematic - they are effective. A pitcher with all directly stuff is much easier to hitting than a pitcher with a 12-half dozen claw. This is why it is important to remember that youth sports is about thespian development from both a baseball game perspective and every bit a maturing young athlete.

Whether or non you personally believe the science of breaking balls being more than or less dangerous than fastballs, y'all must enquire yourself whether information technology is worth the adventure. Pitchers of all levels are already exposed to potential arm injury. Throwing breaking balls earlier the body is physically developed just adds to that adventure.

Does Throwing a Curveball Hurt Youth Athletes?

The science of curveballs and young pitching arms remains largely a grayness surface area. Some studies have shown that the stress put on the arm during a breaking ball vs. a fastball is minimal or non-existent. Other studies have shown that breaking balls can practise impairment. Here are some factors to consider:

• Throwing a "proper" fastball is easier - a variable in these studies which is rarely touched upon is that throwing a successful curveball requires greater torso control. Throwing an unsuccessful curveball can definitely contort the arm in an unnatural and dissentious style.

• Manufacture knowledge and anecdotal evidence - take this with a grain of salt if you choose, merely most players and coaches have seen (or felt) curveballs and sliders put more strain on young artillery. Whether or not a peer reviewed study confirms this, it certainly seems to exist the case that curveballs put the elbow under greater stress.

Well-nigh all pitchers throw majority fastballs - even if y'all find none of the testify compelling, one fact remains truthful: the fastball is the nearly important pitch in baseball. All great pitchers must get-go master the fastball before mastering whatever secondary pitches. At immature ages, this should be the focus of young hurlers regardless of other factors.

Protecting Young Pitchers' Arms

The breaking ball debate may rage on, just the chief way to protect young pitchers' arms moving forward is limiting workload. It is well documented that overusing a pitcher is the number one gamble factor for both short and long term injury.

A full general rule is to limit youth pitchers to less than lxxx-100 innings per flavor. This includes pitch counts per outing and making sure to residuum the arm between appearances. Kids will always tell coaches and parents that they are fine and that they want to pitch. Don't listen. As a charabanc or parent, it is upwardly to yous to keep immature players rubber for the long haul.

The MLB has a fantastic online resource to help programme out your pitchers' innings, pitches, and remainder periods.

When Youth Baseball Players Should Begin Throwing Breaking Assurance

As mentioned above, there is no singular answer to this question. Each immature bullpen is built differently. The brusque answer is that many experts hold that pitchers can begin throwing curveballs between the ages of 13-16. We believe that when an athlete is at least 13 years erstwhile AND tin say "yes" to the following questions, he or she may be set up to begin throwing breaking stuff:

• Is the player able to throw fastballs and changeups (or other secondary pitches similar a splitter) with control and proper mechanics?
• Is the player being taught to throw a proper curveball?
• Does the player have the emotional maturity to know when to throw breaking balls and when to lay off?
• Is the player physically mature plenty to handle the strain of a new pitch?
• Is the player legitimately interested in developing his or her pitching ability?

Note that the final question is oft disregarded. Many players will pitch in spots, just do not consider themselves "pitchers". These players practise not necessarily ever demand to develop a breaking pitch if it is non role of their overall baseball evolution.

Hustle Helps Youth Athletes Reach Their Goals

Pittsburgh startup Hustle Training is quickly rising to ane of the nigh pop sports drill apps out there. Their website, forth with their mobile app puts players and coaches at the top of their game past providing skilled workouts and drills crafted by coaches, trainers, and professional athletes, and informative articles to have your squad to the next level.

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Source: https://www.hustletraining.com/blog/when-should-youth-athletes-start-throwing-curveballs#:~:text=The%20short%20answer%20is%20that,the%20ages%20of%2013%2D16.

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