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How often should a pitcher throw offseason?

Author

Emily Ross

Published Jan 24, 2026

In the case of a typical pitcher who just finished his summer season, he should typically take a minimum of 2-3 weeks off to rest (physical and mental) after he's thrown his last pitch of the summer, and spend the subsequent 4-6 weeks to do nothing but “train” and recondition his arm.

Do pitchers throw in the off season?

In the offseason, your intensity is focused on preparation, the building of functional strength and endurance and refilling the tank from the wear-and-tear of the season. You throw year-round, but you don't pitch year round. In the offseason, you never stop throwing.

How many days a week should a pitcher throw?

Once the arm is in shape, throwing three to five days a week is encouraged.

How long should you take off throwing?

If pitchers want to take time off from throwing, it should be for psychological reasons, not for any perceived physical benefit. Time off should not exceed four weeks.

What should pitchers do in the offseason?

Winter and baseball don't usually mix. But that doesn't mean you can't use this time to get better while everyone else loses their edge. For pitchers, the offseason should be about building strength, tinkering with mechanics, and maybe even developing another pitch.

20 related questions found

Should a pitcher throw every day?

Throw every day. Professional pitchers on both the minor and major league levels throw every single day for at least 10 quality minutes.

How often should pitchers lift?

A lot of athletes don't like doing this.

The other question to tackle is when to lift and the amount of days to do so. For the most part, athletes lift one-to-three days in-season, regardless of being a starter, reliever, or position player.

How much throwing is too much?

Pay attention to pitch counts

Kids 7 to 8 years old shouldn't throw more than 50 pitches per game, experts say. That number goes up as children get older, but even 17- and 18-year-olds shouldn't throw more than 105 pitches during a game.

How long should you rest your arm in the offseason?

#1 – Take a four to six-week break

Immediately after the season ends, I recommend you take four to six weeks off from throwing completely. The shoulder and elbow need about a month for the tissue to calm down, regenerate and recover from the season-long wear and tear.

How often should you throw bullpens?

Two bullpens a week is sufficient for most pitchers. To make bullpens more exciting make a game out of it. Every time you hit your target add a point; when you miss your target take a point away.

How many pitches should a HS pitcher throw?

Number of pitches The number of pitches pitchers throw in a game, a scrimmage game, or the bull pen should be carefully monitored by the coach. Number of pitches: (Game) As a general rule, 15 pitches per inning times the number of innings in a regulation game is a good cutoff point.

Is long toss good for pitchers?

However, long toss does increase your intensity to throw the ball and that is a benefit. It can actually help you gain a little velocity, but if you are a pitcher who needs more than 2-3 mph to reach 90 mph you need more than long tossing.

Should you long toss the day before you pitch?

Note: Once a pitcher starts throwing bull-pens/innings in the Fall/Winter, he will find that the days he is going to throw off a mound are actually his best Long Toss days because he will have the most amount of recovery period days between mound work.

Should I throw before or after lifting?

If you really must workout everyday, you will want to lift after you pitch. But keep the weights light! A light workout after you pitch is a good way to keep your body loose, but lifting too heavy may get you really stiff.

Do pitchers have arm problems?

Although pitchers can develop injuries within the lower body, majority of the problems develop within their throwing arm. The most common baseball pitching injuries tend to involve the rotator cuff or the elbow.

What happens if you pitch too much in baseball?

Year-round pitching can lead to devastating injuries for baseball players. A Michigan Medicine orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon and researcher explains why research on the subject is valuable to athletes of any sport.

How many pitches is too much?

Pitch counts, and the types of pitches thrown, vary by age. The USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee guidelines recommend a limit of 75 pitches per game, 100 pitches per week, 1,000 pitches per season, and 3,000 pitches per year in the 11- to 12-year-old age group.

What pitches should a 13 year old throw?

Pitchers who are 13-16 should throw a maximum of 95 pitches; 13- and 14-year-olds need four days rest when they reach 66 pitches, and 15- and 16-year-olds need four days rest when they reach 76.

How fast do 14u baseball pitchers throw?

13 and 14 Year Olds

A typical fastball from this age group is anywhere from 55 mph (on the low side) to 75 mph. A pitcher throwing 75 mph is well above average for this age, and their fastball is at a high school caliber. An average changeup for this age is somewhere around the 50-60 mph mark.

What is the 3 batter rule in baseball?

According to MLB the rule states that "pitchers must face a minimum of three batters in an appearance or pitch to the end of a half-inning, with exceptions for injuries and illnesses.

Are push ups good for pitchers?

Push-Ups are perfect for pitchers, because the shoulder blades can move freely (not locked down on a bench), similar to when you throw a ball. Lots of different variations can make Push-Ups more challenging, like Plyo Push-Ups or Push-Ups with resistance from a weighted vest, resistance band or chains.

How often should you lift during the season?

Do: Keep workouts short.

Volume and frequency should be reduced during in-season weight training sessions, and workouts should be kept to about 30 to 45 minutes each two times per week.

How long should a pitcher take off from throwing?

In the case of a typical pitcher who just finished his summer season, he should typically take a minimum of 2-3 weeks off to rest (physical and mental) after he's thrown his last pitch of the summer, and spend the subsequent 4-6 weeks to do nothing but “train” and recondition his arm.