When Women Lift Weights..

This week I’m sharing an article from U.S. News regarding the benefits of lifting weights for females. Honestly, I know this is a softball training site and I try my best to tailor my advice to the goals of a softball player. However, I haven’t emphasized enough that strength training is not just for young athletes; it’s a cornerstone for a fit, healthy body.

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Reader Question: Is a “Backdoor Screwball” Possible?

My daughter is a sophomore and her coach is wanting her to throw a screw ball to a left handed batter that looks as if it is going to hit the her and then screws over the plate. The mechanics of the screwball does not allow this with out going way out of the throwing lanes. I tries to explain it to him but he insist that he watches college ball all the time and there is a such pitch. Am I wrong and if so how do I teach her to throw this pitch?

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Total Body Softball Team Workout

As a follow up to last week’s in-season team conditioning video, here is an in-season softball team strength training workout. This workout is space efficient, time efficient, and requires two pieces of equipment, your body and a Cook Band.

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The Biggest Mistake in Conditioning Softball Pitchers

Last week when I answered reader CC’s question I promised I’d talk more about training young athletes and the Long Term Athlete Development Model. Following is an article I recently had published in the Performance Conditioning newsletter for baseball and softball. The information is indispensable for any parent of a young athlete!

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20/20 Conditioning for Softball Practices

In this week’s video, I demonstrate a body weight conditioning circuit that you can install after your preseason or in-season practices. This circuit is easy to coach, will increase or maintain your athletes’ fitness but will not leave your athletes too sore or stiff the next day.

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Reader Question: How Much Should a 10u Athlete Pitch?

Hey Carly! I’ve got twins at the 10u level that both pitch, but in games both of them tend to not reach their optimum speeds/groove until the second inning, and this is after I have given them a complete warm up. As a result I have had them pitch a tad more than most (30 pitches) after warm-up and before the first pitch. We usually throw 100+ pitches in practice sessions so I feel like I have built or I am building their stamina.

We typically practice a couple times a week mixed in with a lesson, so they pitch 3 times a week(If everything falls into place). Does sound right to you? Any tips on how to keep them better prepared without pitching so much before games?

—CC

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