Power Hitting - Ultimate Strength And Conditioning For The Softball Elite!
By Brandon Richey
Being a strength professional and fitness trainer in the Atlanta, Georgia area now for over 10 years I have had plenty of experience in training athletes of all kinds. I remember when I played baseball and looking back I wished I knew then what I know now about strength training and athletic performance. Even though I didn't play softball on a regular basis the act of hitting comes from the same motion and the integration of the same muscles that are involved in swinging the bat. If I would have had the opportunity to add something to my strength training program it would have been the kettlebell swing lift. This is a great strength and conditioning drill for softball players to develop some serious hitting power.
Strength Training Softball
You see as a player you already get plenty of skills training in terms of your hitting and fielding when you are at practice. This is a common theme with baseball and softball players and is also something that can tend to hurt your softball playing performance to a degree. So you are probably wondering Brandon how can this hurt my game? Well, its not the practicing that will hurt your softball game, but I have seen many players neglect the implementation of a smart strength and conditioning program over the years by putting all of their emphasis on skills practice and none on strength training. The only way you are going to improve your hitting, throwing, and fielding abilities is by making yourself a better athlete and this starts with lifts such as the kettlebell swing.
The kettlebell swing is the base strength endurance lift that is performed with this ancient device and it involves all of your big core muscles in order to pull it off. You are basically implementing a swinging motion with the bell by moving it at an arc back and forth from between your legs up to at least chest level. This is done by you having to engage your hips and knees in a state of constant flexion and extension in order to create the necessary momentum to swing the bell. By doing this you are involving all the major muscles that work together in order to hit the ball for some serious power.
Kettlebell training is a movement based style of training which is why it is so effective for preparing you for all sports. You move during the game so you should train your body in the same way. If you haven't already started to implement the swing lift into your softball strength and conditioning program then you are falling behind. Remember that most any athlete can train hard, but only the best train smart!
To learn more about Kettlebells, Fitness, and achieving Total Mind-Blowing Strength come and visit me at http://www.efandps.com.
To be one of my members and to receive more tips on INSANE BODY CONSTRUCTION please visit me at: http://www.efandps.com/www.efandps.com/Brandons_Members_Newsletter.html.
I'm Brandon Richey the Strength and Conditioning Pro!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Richey
Hit2win.com
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
How to Avoid the Wrong Softball Pitching Clinics
How to Avoid the Wrong Softball Pitching Clinics
By guest author: Monica Martinez
I have had the opportunity to attend many different softball pitching clinics through the years. As a pitcher myself and also as an instructor, I have seen average clinics and excellent clinics. Some of the down falls to pitching clinics are in the organizational process. If there is six hours set aside for pitching, and all six hours require a pitcher to pitch, this can obviously be a hazard to the arm of the pitcher. Not even a bag of ice at the end of the day will be able to save a pitcher's arm with that amount of pitching repetitions.
Another common error is the way softball pitching clinics don't take into account the catching situation. Quite often the number of pitchers out weighs the number of catchers in a clinic. It is also unreasonable to expect the catchers to spend their clinic experience catching for pitchers. However that can be effective at the end to put the knowledge the catchers have gained into action. So who catches for the pitchers? Probably the worst option is to have the pitchers catch for one another. That can turn dangerous quickly due to the pitcher's inexperience in catching. The positive side of using this format is it's the most efficient means of pitching.
Another alternative is to have nets set up to catch the pitches. This requires a large quantity of those nets and each pitcher to have multiple balls next to them to use. Now the pitchers have a target to throw to. Once they have pitched all of their balls, they can go and retrieve them from the net or fence.
Some of the better softball pitching clinics I have been a part of have variation in their time allotted. For example, an extensive warm up is important for safety reasons. As a concept is presented, drills breaking down that concept allow for better understanding. This can also put less pressure on the pitcher's arm. Frequent water breaks must be in the plan for proper hydration as well as a snack being provided.
I have been involved in a softball pitching clinic where the campers have been able to take home quality information to help them to continue to improve. Such as a side by side video of the campers pitching form compared to a professional pitcher's form. The campers were also given a personalized booklet with skills and drills for the pitcher to look back on.
Remember, softball pitching clinics can help improve any pitcher, but the rest of the time, they are their own pitching coach.
Tired of looking for a softball clinic [http://www.RockyMountainSoftballClinic.com] and only finding ones taught by mediocre coaches? Want to attend softball pitching clinics [http://www.RockyMountainSoftballClinic.com] taught by Cat Osterman and other Olympic athletes? Go to RockyMountainSoftballClinic.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Monica_Martinez
======================
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: Monica Martinez
I have had the opportunity to attend many different softball pitching clinics through the years. As a pitcher myself and also as an instructor, I have seen average clinics and excellent clinics. Some of the down falls to pitching clinics are in the organizational process. If there is six hours set aside for pitching, and all six hours require a pitcher to pitch, this can obviously be a hazard to the arm of the pitcher. Not even a bag of ice at the end of the day will be able to save a pitcher's arm with that amount of pitching repetitions.
Another common error is the way softball pitching clinics don't take into account the catching situation. Quite often the number of pitchers out weighs the number of catchers in a clinic. It is also unreasonable to expect the catchers to spend their clinic experience catching for pitchers. However that can be effective at the end to put the knowledge the catchers have gained into action. So who catches for the pitchers? Probably the worst option is to have the pitchers catch for one another. That can turn dangerous quickly due to the pitcher's inexperience in catching. The positive side of using this format is it's the most efficient means of pitching.
Another alternative is to have nets set up to catch the pitches. This requires a large quantity of those nets and each pitcher to have multiple balls next to them to use. Now the pitchers have a target to throw to. Once they have pitched all of their balls, they can go and retrieve them from the net or fence.
Some of the better softball pitching clinics I have been a part of have variation in their time allotted. For example, an extensive warm up is important for safety reasons. As a concept is presented, drills breaking down that concept allow for better understanding. This can also put less pressure on the pitcher's arm. Frequent water breaks must be in the plan for proper hydration as well as a snack being provided.
I have been involved in a softball pitching clinic where the campers have been able to take home quality information to help them to continue to improve. Such as a side by side video of the campers pitching form compared to a professional pitcher's form. The campers were also given a personalized booklet with skills and drills for the pitcher to look back on.
Remember, softball pitching clinics can help improve any pitcher, but the rest of the time, they are their own pitching coach.
Tired of looking for a softball clinic [http://www.RockyMountainSoftballClinic.com] and only finding ones taught by mediocre coaches? Want to attend softball pitching clinics [http://www.RockyMountainSoftballClinic.com] taught by Cat Osterman and other Olympic athletes? Go to RockyMountainSoftballClinic.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Monica_Martinez
======================
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
Youth Softball - Things You Should Know
Youth Softball - Things You Should Know
By guest author: Blaine F Johnston
People who love softball often take their family to play this sport, including their children. This activity can enhance their skills, especially if the parents want the children to be professional players. However, there are several things that parents should know before starting to do efforts to make the children like softball superstars.
For you who do not have any idea about this sport, you can try to understand that softball is sport game played by nine players in a team. The game needs two teams that alternate between offense and defense. The team who makes more runs than the opponent team will be the winner. In addition, it can be played for both girls and boys, so it eliminates your worries that your kids will be rejected.
This game requires several skills that include strength, teamwork and craftsmanship, eye-hand coordination, and also some position-specific skills like running, pitching, and fielding. That is why the minimum age to play this game is 4 or 5 for tee ball and 7 or 8 for player-pitch teams. A kid needs to be patient and attentive enough to deal with the slower pace of baseball. In addition, the kid should be team-oriented, as the game requires team coordination to win.
If you put your kids to a softball course, you will find that they spend a lot of time lingering in the outfield. Physical activities are not done too often, but the play will become more athletic and aggressive depending on their growth. You should provide the suitable equipment that fit their body well. You can go to stores and ask the shopkeepers or even go there with your kids to know which ones that fit them perfectly. Things you must buy are uniform, gloves, cleats, batting gloves, and batting helmets. The price may vary, but the equipment for beginning players is mostly cheap.
Then, you need to consider the potential injuries that possibly happen during the game. That is why you should know the tricks to prevent injuries, such as using softer balls to reduce injury factors. This kind of ball is often used by younger places as it is well known for the ability to reduce the risk and severity of head injuries. Then, you can also reduce the risk of ankle sprains and other injuries by giving your kids breakaway bases, or also called safety-release bases.
There are several conditions you may find after certain periods of play. If your kids throw too many pitches, they can experience an overuse injury. In a response to this, you can make sure that the kids get plenty of rest for their arms. The coach may even ask you to do this. Further, you can get some tips to prevent the injuries by contacting the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.
You can buy a baseball softball pitching machine to enhance your kids' skill of hitting. However, there are also other types of softball pitching machines available on markets that you can choose base on the kids' needs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Blaine_F_Johnston
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4510462
=====================
Thanks to our sponsors:
www.BatAction.com
---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatActionMachine on Ebay.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here
By guest author: Blaine F Johnston
People who love softball often take their family to play this sport, including their children. This activity can enhance their skills, especially if the parents want the children to be professional players. However, there are several things that parents should know before starting to do efforts to make the children like softball superstars.
For you who do not have any idea about this sport, you can try to understand that softball is sport game played by nine players in a team. The game needs two teams that alternate between offense and defense. The team who makes more runs than the opponent team will be the winner. In addition, it can be played for both girls and boys, so it eliminates your worries that your kids will be rejected.
This game requires several skills that include strength, teamwork and craftsmanship, eye-hand coordination, and also some position-specific skills like running, pitching, and fielding. That is why the minimum age to play this game is 4 or 5 for tee ball and 7 or 8 for player-pitch teams. A kid needs to be patient and attentive enough to deal with the slower pace of baseball. In addition, the kid should be team-oriented, as the game requires team coordination to win.
If you put your kids to a softball course, you will find that they spend a lot of time lingering in the outfield. Physical activities are not done too often, but the play will become more athletic and aggressive depending on their growth. You should provide the suitable equipment that fit their body well. You can go to stores and ask the shopkeepers or even go there with your kids to know which ones that fit them perfectly. Things you must buy are uniform, gloves, cleats, batting gloves, and batting helmets. The price may vary, but the equipment for beginning players is mostly cheap.
Then, you need to consider the potential injuries that possibly happen during the game. That is why you should know the tricks to prevent injuries, such as using softer balls to reduce injury factors. This kind of ball is often used by younger places as it is well known for the ability to reduce the risk and severity of head injuries. Then, you can also reduce the risk of ankle sprains and other injuries by giving your kids breakaway bases, or also called safety-release bases.
There are several conditions you may find after certain periods of play. If your kids throw too many pitches, they can experience an overuse injury. In a response to this, you can make sure that the kids get plenty of rest for their arms. The coach may even ask you to do this. Further, you can get some tips to prevent the injuries by contacting the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.
You can buy a baseball softball pitching machine to enhance your kids' skill of hitting. However, there are also other types of softball pitching machines available on markets that you can choose base on the kids' needs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Blaine_F_Johnston
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4510462
=====================
Thanks to our sponsors:
www.BatAction.com
---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatActionMachine on Ebay.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here
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