Posts Tagged ‘strength training’
In Season Workout Advice for Softball
When’s the last time you heard anyone say “Softball’s a great workout”? Face it, playing sports is not an adequate stimulus to develop and maintain the physical capacities such as strength and flexibility that allow athletes to perform at a HIGH level SAFELY season after season. But scheduling workouts during the season is tough! In this video I review the physical consequences of a long competitive season and provide some guidance on how arrange workouts around practices and games.
Read MoreHow to Workout In Season and Not Get Sore
Unfortunately, nowadays, athletes feel they don’t have enough time to fit in workouts during the season. They, and their coaches, also fear working out will lead to sore and stiff muscles. In this video, I explain how to schedule workouts appropriately around your in-season commitments, and demonstrate a few new exercises that are less likely to leave you sore, while building total body strength.
Read MoreInterview with Dr. James Andrews
Dr. James Andrews is a world famous sports orthopedic surgeon who, in this interview, weighs in on the current state of competitive youth sports. Dr. Andrews brings up some very disturbing trends in youth sports including the rise in injuries and coaches trapping athletes into playing one sport all year round.
Read More5 Minutes to Feel Better and Get Flexible
In this week’s video, I give you a detailed introduction to the foam roller, a self-massage tool that is used to improve flexibility by reducing stiffness in muscles and connective tissue. Unfortunately, most people never see a foam roller until they are already injured and end up in physical therapy, but I’m telling you to buy one now.
Read MoreQuick Tip: A Trick for Sticking to your Workout Routine
If we haven’t made it clear enough, strength training is NOT OPTIONAL if you want to be a serious softball player, especially if you have aspirations of playing in college. I’ve also lived through a teenaged softball career, and I remember clearly how busy I often felt and how when I was feeling overwhelmed, the workout was often the first thing to go. Though it’s a little late for my pitching career, I’m now working out more than ever, and I’ve come up with a simple little system that keeps me from slacking off.
Read MoreAre Preseason Fitness Tests Hurting Your Athletes?
As spring approaches, many of my athletes are worried about ‘how much running’ their coaches will have them do during tryouts. As a former athlete, I remember this fear all to well. What do the mile-run or post-practice conditioning have to do with a speed and power sport like softball? Coaches, are preseason fitness tests hurting your athletes?
Read MoreIs Weightlifting Safe for Softball Players?
In this week’s video blog, I explain why Olympic lifts are extremely beneficial and safe for softball athletes when coached correctly. I’ve also included a video from the UMass Lowell softball team’s off season workouts. This is the best collegiate softball training video I’ve seen to date.
Read MoreMedicine Ball Exercises for Hitting and Pitching Power
Poor exercise technique can contribute to poor hitting and pitching habits. In these videos, I explain how to correctly perform medicine ball exercises to improve hitting and pitching power while also reinforcing proper hitting and pitching mechanics.
Read MoreThe Best Exercises to Reduce Softball Shoulder Injuries
Put down the tubing and light dumbbells. In these two videos, I explain why old school exercises like pull ups and rows are the best upper body exercises to reduce softball shoulder injuries.
Read MoreThe Softball Core Training Commandments
In these videos, I define my core training philosophy and show you how to identify and execute proper softball core training exercises.
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