The Importance of REST for Pitchers

Hey There Friend!

I just wrapped up all my in-person summer training events this week and it was SO MUCH FUN to be able to get together again after having to cancel everything last year due to the pandemic!

I know many of you have completed your summer seasons (or will be soon) which made me think it was a great time to talk a little bit about the importance of taking time AWAY from pitching and softball at least once a year!

Here are THREE of the many benefits of putting the ball and glove away for a few weeks:

#1: Give the body a BREAK

Every athlete benefits from giving the body time to rest and recover from training and competing. Even if your pitcher has great mechanics and isn't showing any signs of fatigue, training and competing all year without any time off can eventually lead to over-use injuries!

Pitching should never be painful!

While muscle soreness after a challenging workout or a weekend of competing is not unusual, it shouldn't "hurt" to pitch. If your pitcher is experiencing pain when she pitches that should be a red flag for you that something is wrong and she needs to take a break (and perhaps have her mechanics checked). This is the time of year that you will tend to see over-use type injuries like tendonitis show up.

Pitchers that ignore pain and try to "pitch though it" because "their team needs them" could be putting their health in danger!

It's important as parents/coaches that we listen to our athletes and pay attention to changes in things like mechanics, velocity and command of the zone that may indicate there is a problem. Winning a couple of games is never worth putting a young athlete's health in jeopardy!

#2: Give your pitcher a chance to MISS it!

Burnout is REAL!

While your pitcher may LOVE to play, it's important that you schedule breaks for her so that she has the opportunity to MISS practicing and competing.

If you can take a break after summer ball ends and before fall ball begins, consider going on a non-softball related vacation or make time to see family/friends you don't spend time with as often as you like when you are playing ball!

Taking time away allows you/your pitcher get excited to start practicing again!

#3: Fresh Start - New Goals!

I strongly encourage pitchers that train with me during the off-season to find a few weeks away from pitching before they begin my program in the late fall.

Taking the time away from practice and competition allows you/your pitchers to reflect back on the things that worked last season and the things that can be accomplished before next season.

Taking a break often is the key to creating a "fresh-start" mindset and being motivated to WANT to WORK during training!

Each new off-season is an opportunity to begin new and create the goals and habits that will help get the results you want from training.

How LONG of a break do pitchers need?

That really varies based on each pitcher's goals and other commitments!

Some pitchers take a longer break at the end of the summer (4-6 weeks) and a short break over the winter holidays (1-2 weeks) while others take more frequent, smaller breaks (2 weeks a few times throughout the year).

Make the time to sit down with your pitcher and discuss what type of a break schedule works best for her.

If she's involved in deciding when her breaks will be throughout the year, she will likely be more invested in doing the work during training AND using her "off-weeks" to recover both physically and mentally!

As always my friend, let me know if you have any questions OR stories to share about things that may work for you/your pitcher!

You can reach me anytime HERE!

Enjoy your weekend!

All My BEST,

Myndie

 

Let's GET BETTER together!

Join the BreakThrew Fastpitch mailing list to receive the weekly blog posts, and updates about new in-person and virtual training opportunities for pitchers, parents and coaches!

Close

Join BreakThrew Fastpitch!