Are 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.
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The end of August always sneaks up on us too quickly, doesn’t it? Some of you may have already started your school year, and the rest of you will probably be going back to school sometime within the next couple of weeks. If you’re a high school senior, you’ll be sending in your college applications, and if you’re a junior, you should start visiting colleges if you haven’t already. Choosing a college can be an overwhelming process, and if you want to play softball it can get even more complicated. For the vast majority of junior and senior softball players who will be walking onto a college team, or even younger players who may be recruited but have not yet committed to a school, here are some critical questions you should be asking.
Read MoreFor this week’s post, I decided to pull some YouTube clips of college softball strength and conditioning off-season workouts. I think it’s important for parents and athletes to realize the physical committment it takes to be a part of a high level program. If you plan on playing softball in college, this will be your reality.
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Newsflash: sports drinks really aren’t very good for you. Many of them contain multiple different sources of sugar, including high fructose or other corn syrups. If you’ve got a zero-calorie sports drink, you’re likely contending with artificial sweeteners, and no matter which you choose you’ll likely be consuming artificial flavors, “natural” flavors (which aren’t as natural as you think), artificial colorings, and preservatives. If you’ve got a practice or a single softball game ahead of you, you really only need water to stay hydrated; however, if you’re facing a 90+ degree summer day under full blazing sun with three or more tournament games to play, something with extra carbohydrates and electrolytes can definitely be beneficial. So what should you drink? I’ll tell you!
Read MoreHave you ever watched an amazing athlete and thought “Wow, it looks like they’re not even trying”? Or have you seen a pitcher who looks completely relaxed even though she’s delivering a 65mph fastball? Using a simple analogy, Joe will explain how and why this happens. He will also describe how athletes and coaches should design strength training programs to promote effortless, optimal performance.
Read MoreWhat follows is one of my favorite muscle memory drills which helps pitchers see and feel their bodies at various, crucial points in the delivery. Please note the following when performing this drill:
1. The pitcher should be 25 – 35 feet from the catcher, depending on age and level.
2. Coaches commands should be a minimum of 2 to 3 seconds apart to allow the pitcher to sense and adjust any mechanical flaws, as well as keep her balance (if she cannot keep her balance, it’s an indication that she needs to strength train).
3. This video is a demonstration for a fastball. The drill can be adapted for any pitch. Look to future posts for other pitches.
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 More Like the story of the tortoise and the hare, sometimes slow is the way to go.
Pitchers can’t all throw at 70 mph. But if we pitch with intelligence, utilizing all of the tools in our shed, we can be just as effective.
Softball pitching performance is determined by a combination of technical mastery and physical development. In this post, I unveil the physical contributors to softball pitching performance according to recent research. You will learn which muscles to strengthen to improve pitching velocity, and the exercise principles you must consider when designing softball specific workouts.
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