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  In baseball there is hardly any pitcher who does not want to know how to improve pitching velocity. The reason for this is simple. Having a blazing fastball is a great way to dominate the batter. Good velocity on your pitchers can be a tremendous competitive advantage for a pitcher. Fortunately there are ways to learn how to improve your pitching velocity.
     Where do you start when you want to improve your pitching speed? As with most athletic skills the proper mechanics are vital. A relaxed wind-up should be followed by leg drive, hip rotation, arm acceleration and then a complete follow through. The release point and arm angle should be kept consistent. A good pitching motion with proper mechanics can take stress off the arm and shoulder and allow for increased efficiency.
      There are many good training drills for baseball. Long Toss is one of the very best for developing good arm strength. This holds for any position player as well as pitchers. To get maximum benefit from Long Toss it should be done correctly. It should not be over done. In other words you should not do it too often and your sessions should not be too long. This could lead to a sore or tired arm.  After a sufficient warm-up, you and your throwing partner should gradually move further apart. Your throws should be made ina strong manner with good form. Do not just lob the ball to reach the other player but think of it as if you are trying to “throw through” the target.
     A few other pitching velocity tips that will help improve pitching velocity include icing your arm and shoulder after pitching. This will reduce any internal inflammation and help your arm recover from the stress of pitching. Mental focus on each pitch is important. Do not allow yourself to just do through the motions but to concentrate on every pitch as if it was the World Series. Another mental approach to improve youtr pitching velocity is visualization. This is a highly effective technique used in many sports with great success. When you are in a non-athletic and relaxed setting simply close your eyes, relax and mentally visualize yourself pitching as the ideal pitcher that your desire to be. As you do this see in your mind your fastball being thrown easily with great velocity and pin point control. Later, after having programmed your mind like this for a high level of performance you will be on your way to improvement when pitching.

      One of the important aspects of your pitching performance is physical conditioning. Obviously the arm and shoulder need to be strong in order to throw hard, have endurance and recover from throwing stress. So how do you achieve the muscle strength you need? Itwas once thought that muscle strengthening exercises would actually interfere with a pitcher’s performance. it is now known that a good program of strength training can be extremely useful. This is true for both performance and injury prevention. Muscle strengtheningshould not just be for the arm and shoulder but the entire body should be made stronger. All the major muscle groups, arms, backchest, abdominal, arms and shoulder muscles should all be properly conditioned with a sensible weight training program. Weight training exercises should always be performed in a slow and controlled manner with no jerking or fast movements. Each muscle group should be exercised until fatigued but this should not be overdone. Short but intense workouts performed with several days rest between with allow for good muscle strengthening results.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/baseball-articles/baseball-how-to-improve-pitching-velocity-4428809.html

About the Author

For more dtails on how to improve the velocity of you pitching please visit http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-throw-a-baseball-harder

David Waters is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and author of The Fitness Center Handbook. He is a avid fitness enthusiat and a former fitness professiional. In addition David is an expert outdoorsman with extensvie experience in fishing, hiking and camping. He is also a founding member of The Nahanni Camping and Fishing Club.

An ankle sprain can be very troublesome for an athlete.

In the area of sports injuries, the most common of all is the ankle sprain.  Ankle sprains are evidenced by the following:

Pain (sometimes accompanied by a sharp noise like a pop.)  Weight bearing leads to increased pain

Swelling and discoloration.  The swelling will begin rapidly from bleeding into the ankle tissues and will usually reach the maximum swelling within 24 hours.  The bruising will also be evident.

Range of motion.  There will be a severe limit to the flexibility of the joint.  Most motions will cause pain and the amount of movement will be hindered.

Causes of the ankle sprain.

These injuries most often occur in the sports requiring quick forward, backward, lateral and sudden stopping motions and jumping and landing akwardly.  The ankle is susceptible to rolling, twisting, and turning, resulting in pain and swelling of the ankle and damage to the ligaments that enable the ankles to work correctly.

The damage to ligaments can be, but is not limited to tearing, stretching and weakness.  These ligaments are needed to stabilize the joint and while incredibly flexible, cannot sustain extreme movements.  The sprain occurs when the joint is flexed beyond its capability.

The degree of the sprain can vary.  Extreme cases result in the tearing of the ligaments, especially above the ankle joint – most commonly referred to as a high ankle sprain.

Should one seek medical attention for an ankle sprain?

Medical attention might be required.  It is best to seek medical attention to rule out other causes of pain and swelling, such as a break or other damage.  Ankle sprains, however, need to be attended to immediately to reduce the swelling and bruising and shorten the duration of the incapacity.  Complications can result from delay in treatment.  Being susceptible to future sprains can result from the weakening in the joint if not treated.  Numerous ankle sprains can lead to arthritis in the joint, causing future disability and difficulty in mobility.

In some instances, support will be recommended, such as ankle braces and other ankle supports.  Following the guidance of the medical professional regarding types of supportive care will be important for future health of an ankle sprain.

Here is a website where you can buy some ankle braces…