Four Little-Known Baseball/Softball Training Secrets, PART 1
By Steve Zawrotny
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Train for POWER
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Baseball and softball are not games of strength, but of EXPLOSIVE POWER. Just how strong do you have to be to pick up a 5 oz baseball, or a 30 oz bat? On the other hand, propelling that 5 oz ball 90+ mph, or hitting a ball 400+ feet with that 30 oz bat requires tremendous power - the ability to perform work. In this case, the work of playing baseball and softball at a high level.
In both games, while they can be slow in duration, the various activities that comprise a game are short and quick. Rarely does a play take longer than 6 or 7 seconds. There are exceptions, of course - an inside the park homer, or an extended rundown or "pickle." But, for the most part, things happen very quickly on the diamond.
Why does this matter to you?
Well, let me ask you this: how often have you heard coaches tell pitchers to condition themselves by running laps - Long, Slow Distance (LSD) training, or to spend a lot of time pedaling a bike?
If you've been around as long as I have, you've seen this a lot. Here's the problems: these coaches (and many players) incorrectly think that LSD (or aerobic) conditioning improves player performance. In fact, studies show the aerobic demands (the amount of oxygen needed by the body) of baseball and softball to be very low.
In fact, the oxygen uptake of a baseball pitcher (the most active position) is a low 45% of the maximum needed. Apparently the rest pitchers get between each pitch and in-between innings is sufficient to replenish the main energy system used.
Baseball and softball are considered to be "alactic anaerobic" sports in terms of the energy system utilized, with pitchers in both sports the busiest players on the field. What this means is that there is little to no lactic acid buildup as a result of this activity. That burning feeling you get when you lift weights really hard is a result of a buildup of lactic acid, a by-product of that (and other) short-term, intense types of exercise.
Have you ever heard of a ball player complaining of this problem?
Consider the baseball pitcher: it takes about 0.15 seconds from the time the front foot contacts the ground until the ball is released. Very little lactic acid can be built up in this short burst of activity. The primary source of fatigue in pitching is not metabolic, but neural. [1]
Again, why does this matter to you?
Because studies show that LSD training significantly detracts from power, strength, and speed development.
Reduce these characteristics, and you educe your ability to throw with high velocity, hit with power, and run at high speed. Look at the bodies of sprinters vs. marathoners. You don't have to be built like a sprinter to be successful as a ball player, but this illustrates how training affects one's body, conditioning, and hence, ability to perform.
Put another way: Train Slow, Perform Slow.
As mentioned earlier, aside from the game itself (which can be be long and slow) things happen quickly on the ball field. Playing softball and baseball requires high velocity, ballistic movements like throwing a fast, well located pitch, taking a hard swing at this high velocity pitch, and exploding out of the batter's box to sprint down the first base line.
So how should you train?
To augment the aforementioned activities, concentrate on developing power, flexibility, and speed. Weight lifting, plyometrics, flexibility, and short burst sprint interval training should form the basis of conditioning for baseball and softball players.
[1] Gambetta, V. A Big Windup. Training & Conditioning, p. 43 March 2003
Steve Zawrotny, MS, CSCS 405.373.3253 steve@baseballfit.com FREE REPORT: "Harmful Resistance Exercises Baseball/Softball Players Should Avoid" VISIT: http://www.BaseballFit.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Zawrotny
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/33462
FastpitchSoftballSupply.com
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
A Better You With Softball Training Aids
A Better You With Softball Training Aids
By guest author: Marc Dagenais
Today, the surge of interest for softball is steadily increasing. Due to its wide popularity and well-publicized events, many are now into softball mania. Beginners, as well as the professionals do need to train. Beginners should train to learn and eventually master the skills needed in softball. The professional players need it for them to hone more of their skills and to keep at pace with their opponents.
In softball training, one should always do some routines to warm up themselves. This is a must in order to flex their muscles and stay away from any pains like muscle pain or back pains. Running, brisk walking, aerobics, and jogging are some of those routines. With softball training, exercising their arms, feet, and mind is required to wake up all those systems in the body.
While training, we use some tools or equipments in enhancing further our vigor, agility, stamina or speed. For a good softball player, just like any sports, one should have sound body and sound mind. Softball training aids like training bats, swing trainer, softball videos and power gloves and many more are made to help the coaches and the players to strengthen their abilities and serve as a substitute for those softball equipments.
No matter what position are you, one should really starts with batting. You do not know, you might then be doing it at some point of time. Batting aids are used to challenge and force you to correct the problems when it comes to swinging. By using the available training bats, one might begin with a pitching machine that varies the speed and the height of the pitches. With this training, you will learn how to estimate how fast the balls are being pitched and how high are they. You can also try weight rings that will test your endurance and strength.
Then move on to throwing aids. Just like batting, throwing or pitching is also important in softball training. You can use the catch-all nets. These are just simple mesh screens that allow you to pitch at full speed towards a target. You can make use of cans as an alternative if there are no catch-nets. Place the cans in different heights and be it your target. Getting a throwing sleeve will also help by keeping your arm warm and correcting your pitching form as you throw.
Same as other sports, the more you train your softball skills, the better you play. Softball training aids can help you improve your skills to a higher level by correcting your poor form, intensifying the softball drills and most important, allow you to practice by yourself!
Gripping the balls should also be a part of your softball training. Rotate the balls into some of your softball drills and exercises. The heavier balls force you to improve your strength. Plus, training balls are inexpensive ones.
Watch how the professionals play. Get some softball videos. They are great aids for training. By looking at their ways and techniques, one would always benefit from it. Find training videos that would teach how to do it the better way! Consider videoing yourself and compare it to the best players.
Marc Dagenais, MHK, CSCS, is a softball peak performance coach that helps players and teams hit with more power, run faster, throw harder, become mentally tougher, and be more dominant on the softball field. Visit us to get tons of great FREE softball drills to boost your game!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Dagenais
=======================
Thanks to our sponsors:
SoftballrUs.com/FastpitchSoftballSupply.com is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. SoftballrUs.com has Batting Trainers,Pitching Training, Training Bats,Defensive Training Equipment,Coaching DVDs & Books, Softball Pitching Machines, Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages, Batting Cage Nets, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, and BatAction Hitting Machines, and much, much more. Visit Softballrus.com now!
By guest author: Marc Dagenais
Today, the surge of interest for softball is steadily increasing. Due to its wide popularity and well-publicized events, many are now into softball mania. Beginners, as well as the professionals do need to train. Beginners should train to learn and eventually master the skills needed in softball. The professional players need it for them to hone more of their skills and to keep at pace with their opponents.
In softball training, one should always do some routines to warm up themselves. This is a must in order to flex their muscles and stay away from any pains like muscle pain or back pains. Running, brisk walking, aerobics, and jogging are some of those routines. With softball training, exercising their arms, feet, and mind is required to wake up all those systems in the body.
While training, we use some tools or equipments in enhancing further our vigor, agility, stamina or speed. For a good softball player, just like any sports, one should have sound body and sound mind. Softball training aids like training bats, swing trainer, softball videos and power gloves and many more are made to help the coaches and the players to strengthen their abilities and serve as a substitute for those softball equipments.
No matter what position are you, one should really starts with batting. You do not know, you might then be doing it at some point of time. Batting aids are used to challenge and force you to correct the problems when it comes to swinging. By using the available training bats, one might begin with a pitching machine that varies the speed and the height of the pitches. With this training, you will learn how to estimate how fast the balls are being pitched and how high are they. You can also try weight rings that will test your endurance and strength.
Then move on to throwing aids. Just like batting, throwing or pitching is also important in softball training. You can use the catch-all nets. These are just simple mesh screens that allow you to pitch at full speed towards a target. You can make use of cans as an alternative if there are no catch-nets. Place the cans in different heights and be it your target. Getting a throwing sleeve will also help by keeping your arm warm and correcting your pitching form as you throw.
Same as other sports, the more you train your softball skills, the better you play. Softball training aids can help you improve your skills to a higher level by correcting your poor form, intensifying the softball drills and most important, allow you to practice by yourself!
Gripping the balls should also be a part of your softball training. Rotate the balls into some of your softball drills and exercises. The heavier balls force you to improve your strength. Plus, training balls are inexpensive ones.
Watch how the professionals play. Get some softball videos. They are great aids for training. By looking at their ways and techniques, one would always benefit from it. Find training videos that would teach how to do it the better way! Consider videoing yourself and compare it to the best players.
Marc Dagenais, MHK, CSCS, is a softball peak performance coach that helps players and teams hit with more power, run faster, throw harder, become mentally tougher, and be more dominant on the softball field. Visit us to get tons of great FREE softball drills to boost your game!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Dagenais
=======================
Thanks to our sponsors:
SoftballrUs.com/FastpitchSoftballSupply.com is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. SoftballrUs.com has Batting Trainers,Pitching Training, Training Bats,Defensive Training Equipment,Coaching DVDs & Books, Softball Pitching Machines, Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages, Batting Cage Nets, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, and BatAction Hitting Machines, and much, much more. Visit Softballrus.com now!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Fast Pitch Softball Bats
Fast Pitch Softball Bats
By guest author: Rately Gardie
Fast pitch softball has been a popular American sport for decades, but it wasn't until the sport was added to the 1996 Olympics and got worldwide recognition, that it became the hugely popular phenomenon that it is today. Unlike many other team sports, the appeal of fast pitch softball is that a player can get satisfaction and recognition from their own success, as well as help propel their team to championships. The success of the individual player depends on several factors: as usual practice makes perfect, but knowing the strategies of the game and investing in quality equipment such as high end fast pitch softball bats can also give a player a big push towards success.
Fast pitch softball is different from slow pitch in the way the ball is thrown to the batter. In fast pitch, pitchers use a "windmill" type pitch that starts at their hip then rapidly bringing it up over their head and back around to the hip. The skill in this pitch lies in knowing exactly when to release the ball and how to perfectly flick the wrist at the end. The perfect release will give a spin to the ball and contributes to the speed of the pitch. The pitch is so fast at 70mph that reaction time on a standard diamond with 40-43 feet from mound to plate is the same as a baseball pitch at 100mph from 60 feet away.
And this is where practice comes into play. The player really needs to be familiar with the types of pitches thrown at them, and comfortable with the weight and feel of their fast pitch softball bat. Having the perfectly proportioned bat is very important. The right length and weight can make a tremendous difference in how far the player hits. In general, the bat should be long enough to reach the players wrist when they stand it on end. To pick the correct weight, the player really needs to practice swinging the bat and testing how well they can control it without strain. What you're looking for is a bat that is the heaviest the player can manage without losing swing speed.
The material the fast pitch softball bat is made of also makes a big different. Bats are made of graphite, carbon, aluminum, or a composite. Composite bats offer the greatest variety of weight to length ratios, and can withstand more of an all-weather beating than their aluminum or carbon compatriots. Brands that make high quality composite bats include Miken, Combat, Anderson, and DeMarini.
For more information about FastPitch Softball Bats please visit on http://www.wcsportinggoods.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rately_Gardie
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2660645
====================
Thanks to our sponsors:
SoftballrUs.com/FastpitchSoftballSupply.com is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. SoftballrUs.com has Batting Trainers,Pitching Training, Training Bats,Defensive Training Equipment,Coaching DVDs & Books, Softball Pitching Machines, Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages, Batting Cage Nets, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, and BatAction Hitting Machines, and much, much more. Visit Softballrus.com now!
By guest author: Rately Gardie
Fast pitch softball has been a popular American sport for decades, but it wasn't until the sport was added to the 1996 Olympics and got worldwide recognition, that it became the hugely popular phenomenon that it is today. Unlike many other team sports, the appeal of fast pitch softball is that a player can get satisfaction and recognition from their own success, as well as help propel their team to championships. The success of the individual player depends on several factors: as usual practice makes perfect, but knowing the strategies of the game and investing in quality equipment such as high end fast pitch softball bats can also give a player a big push towards success.
Fast pitch softball is different from slow pitch in the way the ball is thrown to the batter. In fast pitch, pitchers use a "windmill" type pitch that starts at their hip then rapidly bringing it up over their head and back around to the hip. The skill in this pitch lies in knowing exactly when to release the ball and how to perfectly flick the wrist at the end. The perfect release will give a spin to the ball and contributes to the speed of the pitch. The pitch is so fast at 70mph that reaction time on a standard diamond with 40-43 feet from mound to plate is the same as a baseball pitch at 100mph from 60 feet away.
And this is where practice comes into play. The player really needs to be familiar with the types of pitches thrown at them, and comfortable with the weight and feel of their fast pitch softball bat. Having the perfectly proportioned bat is very important. The right length and weight can make a tremendous difference in how far the player hits. In general, the bat should be long enough to reach the players wrist when they stand it on end. To pick the correct weight, the player really needs to practice swinging the bat and testing how well they can control it without strain. What you're looking for is a bat that is the heaviest the player can manage without losing swing speed.
The material the fast pitch softball bat is made of also makes a big different. Bats are made of graphite, carbon, aluminum, or a composite. Composite bats offer the greatest variety of weight to length ratios, and can withstand more of an all-weather beating than their aluminum or carbon compatriots. Brands that make high quality composite bats include Miken, Combat, Anderson, and DeMarini.
For more information about FastPitch Softball Bats please visit on http://www.wcsportinggoods.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rately_Gardie
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2660645
====================
Thanks to our sponsors:
SoftballrUs.com/FastpitchSoftballSupply.com is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. SoftballrUs.com has Batting Trainers,Pitching Training, Training Bats,Defensive Training Equipment,Coaching DVDs & Books, Softball Pitching Machines, Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages, Batting Cage Nets, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, and BatAction Hitting Machines, and much, much more. Visit Softballrus.com now!
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