As you transition into each new Phase, please keep in mind that some of the Phases may start earlier or later based on how the previous Phase went. For this reason, if the dates don’t line up exactly, it’s no problem at all because there is a great deal of time allotted to add or subtract time if need be.

Also, based on how heavy your workload was this season, you may find that you want more or less time for Phase 2, Complete Rest. Again, you will have an additional 4 Weeks during the Active Rest Phase (Phase 3), and another 7 Weeks in your Build-Up Phase (Phase 4), so you will have plenty of time to add and subtract with each Phase.

The Complete Rest Phase is designed to provide you time to rest, restore, and reset the body and mind. For some, that may mean to do absolutely nothing with regard to Throwing or Arm Care. For others, it may mean to do some very light movement, and even some extremely light throwing a few times a week throughout this Phase (similar to what you would do in Phase 3, Active Rest).

Naturally, how much time you take off from any type of throwing and arm care is a personal choice, and again, may depend on many variables like how late your Season went. But we tend to lean more toward taking “less” time off of doing absolutely nothing, and integrating some type of “light” movements, which can include Range Of Motion exercises, light band work, and even some very light throwing (approximately 3 times a week).

Again, you have the luxury of having 5 months to “play with”, so it may serve you best to let the body completely rest and reset after your De-Load, and for the long run, have some time away from training to simply relax, or enjoy other aspects of your life, like traveling and going on vacation. Thus, you can have a lot of peace of mind knowing that even if you completely rest in this 4 Week period, you have a ton of time to get yourself into optimal shape for Spring Training.