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Arm Strengthening & Injury Prevention

Intermediate 50/70 · League ages 11-13 · 50-foot pitching distance · 70-foot bases

Respond to pain

A player reports elbow pain during throwing. The training decision must protect the player even if a game is close.

What is the right response?

Coaching Points

Let the player report symptoms without losing face.

Common Mistakes

No scoreboard result justifies pitching through elbow or shoulder pain.

Alternative Considerations

This training module cannot diagnose an injury or clear a return.

Rules/safety: safety

Notice a change

Accuracy drops and the pitcher looks tired. The adult considers fatigue even before a numerical maximum is reached.

What does the pitch limit mean?

Coaching Points

Watch how the player moves and responds, not only the count.

Common Mistakes

Legal eligibility and physical readiness are different questions.

Alternative Considerations

Stop throwing for fatigue and adjust the plan with the responsible adult.

Rules/safety: pitch-limit safety

Count calendar rest days

A league-age 13 pitcher starts and ends the final batter within the 36-50 pitch rest band on Monday. There is no threshold exception to apply in this example.

What rest does Regulation VI require?

Coaching Points

Tuesday and Wednesday are rest days in this example; also check all other eligibility conditions.

Common Mistakes

Do not count the pitching day as a completed rest day.

Alternative Considerations

A batter spanning a threshold needs the first-pitch-to-that-batter provision, not this simplified example.

Rules/safety: rest

Coordinate all teams

A player has school, league and practice throwing commitments. Adults compare schedules before adding work.

What is the useful approach?

Coaching Points

Share the workload with responsible adults without putting identifying health details in training notes.

Common Mistakes

Separate uniforms do not create separate recovery.

Alternative Considerations

The eligibility rules and the safety plan both need attention.

Rules/safety: safety

Use supervised physical preparation

A player asks for an arm-strength plan. The coach keeps general athletic development separate from medical rehabilitation and avoids promises that a drill guarantees injury prevention.

What should this page provide?

Coaching Points

Choose qualified instruction appropriate to the player's development.

Common Mistakes

A video or checklist cannot evaluate an individual injury.

Alternative Considerations

Stop an activity that causes pain; get qualified advice before resuming.

Rules/safety: safety

Plan time away from throwing

The family and coach look beyond this week's games. Recovery planning includes an off-season and other enjoyable physical activities.

Which long-term plan fits the safety guidance?

Coaching Points

Discuss ASMI's published off-season recommendations with the responsible adults.

Common Mistakes

Calling a session optional does not remove its throwing load.

Alternative Considerations

Age-specific guidance and the player's clinician may require a more conservative plan.

Rules/safety: safety