It’s no secret that windmill pitching is not easy. It requires not only a tremendous amount of practice and aptitude for the skill, but also a tremendous amount of strength and stability. Core strength is something that is lacking in many—if not most—young female pitchers, yet it is absolutely essential to pitching with sound mechanics.
Read MoreHow much softball is too much? Does your daughter play all year round along with other seasonal sports? This type of schedule might enhance skills temporarily but ultimately will lead to overuse either physically or mentally. I’m not going to convince too many parents that they should give their daughter some time off, but I can do my best to help athletes stay healthy and prevent injuries if they are playing all year round. Here are a few examples of at-home workouts that give you NO EXCUSE not to start an exercise program as soon as possible!
Read MoreDo you need to improve your flexibility? Could you actually be TOO flexibile? This week I’m offering a free assessment and exercise plan for anyone who submits their video of this simple, three-exercise test!
Read MorePush ups and pull ups are the best upper body strength training exercises for softball players. However, most girls believe they’re not strong enough to perform them! In part two of this series I demonstrate how I every female athlete performing perfect pull ups as soon as possible.
Read MoreAre you looking for a softball specific workout? What exactly do you think makes a workout softball specific? In this post, Joe explains how some “sport specific” exercises are not the best choice for athletes and will actually lead to worse performance on the field.
Read MoreWant to start a strength training program but don’t know where to begin? The hardest part is getting started! In this post, I provide a workout-template and exercise demonstrations of every training component that should be included in a complete, softball-specific workout.
Read MoreAh, crow hopping. This topic has been causing frustration and controversy among windmill pitchers, softball coaches, parents, and probably umpires for years. MANY pitchers—even many elite pitchers, some of whom you may have seen on television—do it, yet it’s illegal according to the rules of fastpitch softball. Over the next two posts, I’m going to talk a bit about what crow hopping is, what causes it, and how to fix it.
Read MoreWho doesn’t want to get faster? In this blog, Joe explains what factors contribute to running speed, and demonstrates a lower body speed and strength training routine that requires minimal equipment and space.
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Everyone likes to get a massage, and they don’t just feel good—they’re pretty good for you too. Massages increase blood flow to areas of tension and promote muscle health and healing, and can thus be particularly beneficial to athletes. Unfortunately, we can’t all get a personal masseuse to pamper us regularly. It is possible, however, to give yourself a pretty decent massage with a few simple tools, some of which you probably already have lying around your home.
Read MoreIf you’re a female athlete, parent, or coach, this post should scare you. Females inherit a number of physical deficits that predispose them to sports-related injuries. These deficits manifest during puberty, which is also a time when sports responsibilities tend to increase. Here is a review of what adolescent females must overcome if they want to reach their athletic potential, while avoiding major or chronic injuries.
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