Thinking of going for a run to stay in shape? Think again. Running is not the best option for softball athletes! Here is a better strategy to create more complete, effective softball conditioning workouts and three example routines.
Read MoreThe majority of windmill pitchers can probably relate to my annoyance on this subject: you buy a shiny new pair of softball cleats, and before ONE SEASON is even over, the field is tearing up your foot through the holes you’ve worn into your shoes. Well, fret no more! I’ve got some suggestions that will help you get a lot more mileage out of your cleats. Your feet (and your parents’ wallets) will be relieved!
Read MoreThis past Monday I received two emails asking for more information on our online strength training programs. For this week’s post I’ve decided to explain exactly how the program works and provide examples of exactly what you receive as an online client.
Read MoreHere are some questions I hear a lot, both in person and online, usually in reference to young pitchers between the ages of 8 and 11: How far along should my daughter be right now? My daughter isn’t doing as well as her peers; is she hopeless? Do you think she has what it takes? Should we quit pitching? The vast majority of the time, these sorts of questions come from very overanxious parents. Before you make a snap judgement about your daughter’s future as a pitcher, take into account these tips that I’m going to share with you today.
Read MoreOk, you’re leading off in the top of the 7th; your team is down by one run; the coach for your top choice school just stepped up to the fence; you lace a first pitch curveball into the right-center field gap, turn on the jets and dive safely into third for a triple. You get up, pump your fist, beat your chest, and strut your stuff to a wildly cheering group of faithful fans. You just showed that college coach everything he or she need to see, right? Not so fast… read on.
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One exercise can help you run faster, throw and swing harder, as well as keep your shoulder healthy. It’s not magic, it’s the traditional barbell deadlift. Overlooked and dismissed as a “football exercise” that can hurt your back, I explain why you should be learning it and show you a video how to do so safely.
Read MoreWhen you’re learning windmill pitching for the very first time, the ball is probably going to go everywhere… and that’s normal! Once you sort of get the hang of it, however, you may notice that when you miss your pitch location, it is often in the same spot, or the same two spots. I find myself constantly reminding my students WHY pitch after pitch lands inside, outside, high, or low; I tell them to memorize the reason so they can self-correct in games and practices. Whether you’re a parent trying to teach your daughter to pitch and you’re not quite sure how to troubleshoot location issues, or you’re a Fastpitch Power student already and you need a cheat sheet to help you remember, this post is for you!
Read MoreDid you ever have the feeling that you were being watched? When you make it to “The Show, ” it won’t just be a feeling!
Read MoreIn this week’s videos I provide an explanation of a common cause of back pain in softball players, how to assess whether your athlete is at risk for a back injury, and demonstrate stretches and core strength exercises that all players, and parents, should try out!
Read MoreThe question of landing on the power line has come up a couple of times now among Fastpitch Power readers, so I want to share my response with all of you. Many people assume that to throw a strike as a windmill pitcher, you want to land on the power line—sounds right, doesn’t it? Well, it’s not quite right. Today we’ll discuss more specifically where you SHOULD be landing.
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