High School Starting Pitchers Throwing Schedule

by Darrell Coulter

Opening Day is  here.  Are you fired up yet?

I received a great email question about setting up your starting rotation’s throwing schedule or plan.

This is what I recommend to my pitchers and coaches.

All throwing sessions should start with a 5 mins of light jogging and a Dynamic/ Static Stretching Warm Up Routine.

Game Day : Starters : this is my game day throwing routine

Pre Game Flat Ground Warm Up
50 feet – 3 throws
60 feet – 3 throws
70 feet – 3 throws
80  feet  - 3 throws
90 feet – 3 throws
100 feet – 3 throws
110/120 feet – 3 throws
100 feet – 3 throws
90 feet- 3 throws
80 feet- 3 throws
70 feet- 3 throws
60 feet- 3 throws

Bullpen / Pitching Mound  (35-40 pitches)

First 13 from stretch at about 60% working on mechanics and feel
5- Fastballs alternating both sides of plate
5-Change Ups alternating both sides of plate
3 Curves for strikes

Next 10 pitches from wind up @ 75 % working the strike zone and finding feel
Fastball,Ch,FB,Ch, FB, Curve,Fb,Curve,Ch, and Fastball.

The Last 12-17 pitches at Game speed.
Pitch the 1st inning of a game.  Either a Strike out or walk.  Focusing on 1st pitch strikes and location.

Day 1 after Starting- Light Catch 10 minutes at 50 -60 feet.

Day 2 - 10 to 15 minute bullpen at about 60 to 70 % to work on feel and mechanics or if no mound available Long Toss Program 18 minutes. Max 120 feet. (in Pre season program)

Day 3- The Game day Bullpen warm up above. The pitches should be based on what each pitcher throws.  Above is just an example. Try to make this bullpen session as game like as possible.  If you do you will find that their focus is better when it comes to game day.  Plus they will start to trust their preparation and you will be able to make mechanical adjustments as needed if they are throwing some game speed pitches.

Day 4- Light Catch 10-15 minutes 50-75 ft. to stay loose.

Day 5- Start Again

Repeat as the schedule dictates.

Relievers should throw based on their use.  Their rest should be based on pitches thrown.  If a reliever isn’t going to pitch this week I use the starter throwing program to keep them fresh.  Long Relievers will need more rest than short relievers obviously.  Their use should be based on how they feel and what kind of shape they are in.

Role and Rotation will determine throwing and bullpen sessions after the games begin.

Once you have your rotation set you can adjust the days accordingly.  I like to throw everyday but Sunday, unless they are pitching on a Tuesday, then I might sneak in a bullpen session with the Tuesday starter.

Some pitchers will want to throw more and some less.  You will have to find what works best for them and make the adjustments that fits them best.

High School Coaches what are you doing?

I would love your feedback on what you do to prepare your starting pitchers.

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High School Baseball Tryouts Are Over, Now What?

by Darrell Coulter

So you made the team…

That’s Awesome.

Don’t get cocky now.

Now the real work begins.

Don’t let the coaches regret their decision.

There is no time to relax.  Make sure you stay on your daily throwing program.

Do not waste your practice time.

Your practice habits will decide what your role is going to be.

Here is how I evaluate pitcher’s.

  1. Talent.  There is only so for you will get on your God Given Talent.  I promise you the pitchers that learn great practice habits will get the most out of their talent.
  2. Preparation.  Your practice habits, pre-game routine, pitching mound routine and post game routine will all have a major impact on your pitching success.  If you don’t have any of the above you are in for a short pitching career.
  3. Competitiveness.   What motivates you?  What drives you to want to be the best?  Are you mentally tough?  Are you starting to get the point?  The desire to win isn’t enough, you have to be the smartest player on the field.  I truly believe more games are lost between the ears than on the field.

Most baseball games are won on the practice field.

Don’t be satisfied with just making the team.

You won’t get better by accident.

Your work ethic is what truly defines you.

What does your work ethic say about you?

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It’s Time!! 2012 High School Baseball

February 26, 2012

The Countdown is Over! High School Baseball season is here. Are YOU Ready? Tryouts can be tough. Just be yourself. Do what you do best.  Leave it all on the field. Just be careful, if you haven’t been throwing take it slow. This is the time of year when a lot of young pitchers ruin their [...]

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Week 8 of Pre-season Throwing Program

February 20, 2012

1 Week and Counting,   Are You Ready? Don’t let YOUR opportunity get away. Your life we be defined by how you take advantage of the opportunities you get. Baseball will be no different. Don’t be satisfied with just getting by. Don’t be satisfied with just barely making the team. Don’t be satisfied with being [...]

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Weeks 7 & 8 Of Your Pre-Season Throwing Program

February 12, 2012

Baseball Season is less than 2 weeks away… ARE YOU READY? Hopefully you have been throwing for at least a few weeks by now. If you haven’t, Please take it slow, don’t ruin your whole career before it even gets started. Now you finally get to throw some game speed pitches.  Try to throw  on [...]

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Will Your Coach See a Difference?

February 5, 2012

Are you making it easy for your Coach to see all the hard work have done? Can they see a Real Difference in your Pitching? Have you put in the Off Season work to make their heads snap around when they hear your pitches popping the catcher’s mitt. If all the work you have been [...]

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Weeks 5 & 6 of Your Pre-Season Throwing Program

January 29, 2012

The Official Countdown is on. High School Baseball season is just a few weeks away. ARE YOU READY? The next couple of weeks we are going to keep the same throwing routine as the last couple of weeks, but we are going to start increasing the intensity of the Pitching Mound sessions. For weeks 5 [...]

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Week 4 of Pre-Season Throwing Program

January 23, 2012

33 Days and Counting! It’s time to start getting in the Baseball Mindset.  Your arm should start feeling pretty good. Great time to work on your mechanics and any new pitch grips. Make sure to be patient and get all your throwing in. Repeat last week.  Your arm will thank you later.

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Weeks 3 and 4 of Your Pre-Season Throwing Program

January 15, 2012

Final a little Mound Time! In weeks 3 and 4 we are going to mix in a little mound time. Make sure that it is truly only at 60%.  Take your time to get the feel of throwing off a mound again. By throwing off the mound 2 times a week for the next 2 [...]

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Week 2 of Your Preseason Throwing Program

January 9, 2012

This week you will be playing catch for 6 minutes on Mon, Wed, and Fri. You will be adding 18 throws on the back-end of your Long Toss Program. Be patient and make sure you complete the program.  It should not take more than 20 to 30 minutes a day. Make sure your use a [...]

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