Hey Guys,
It's tough to write during this time of year, as all of you know. Hopefully all of your weather is cooperating well and the season is progressing nicely. I think I speak for everyone when I say I'm pumped for opening day of Major League Baseball. Anyway, I'm going to start posting once a week to give everybody a chance to ponder what we are talking about. This post comes from something I saw this past week. I was in an indoor facility and saw a six year old kid working with a professional hitting coach. Many of the older players were talking about what an awful coach he was because he wasn't saying much. Every now and then he'd give the kid a small tip and then let him go. Is this bad coaching? Are youth hitting coaches worth it?
This hitting coach was the coach of none other than major league star, Todd Helton. I'm going to say that he knows what he's doing. So why isn't he constantly bantering the youngster? It's very simple and we see it all the time. Parents, SHUT UP! When your kid is six years old, it is not your goal to make him mechanically perfect. Your goal is to teach the kid the basics, correct any major flaws, and teach him to love the game.
In that particular hitting lesson, the coach was simply working with the kids hand-eye coordination and letting him get a feel for hitting the baseball squarely. To answer the question of whether a hitting coach is worth it at that age, my advice is yes. It may not do much of anything in his younger years, but developing a relationship with a coach over the years will allow him to become a better hitter in the long run because nothing will be left unsaid. The bottom line is at that age let the kids swing the bat. Of course we need to correct any major flaws, but most importantly developing hand-eye and bat speed. In my next post, I am going to talk about an approach at the plate that is frequently talked about.
Until Next Time!
Tip of the Day: When you're practicing with your kids or by yourself, do things to challenge yourself further than the game of baseball will. For example, take a batting practice with plastic golf balls and a stick, and watch your batting average sky rocket. Also do things that make it fun. Invent games, go with a classic game of wiffle ball, etc...
P.S. I am trying to put together a hitting program that will solve all parts of hitting. I'd like to get some commentary on what you think hitters would like that to entail!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Hand Placement: Right or Wrong Answer?
Hey guys!
I know it's been a while. Sorry I've been super busy. A question I've been getting a lot lately is, "where should my hands be in my stance?" This is an issue that is never truly touched on by hitting coaches. Too many coaches tell you that there is a right place and want to clone you as a hitter. There is no right place! As long as your hands end up in the same load position I talked about in my earlier post, it doesn't matter.
A tip that I can give you, however, is to put your hands where they feel the most powerful. You want to feel the strongest that you can in your swing, which will in turn make you the most comfortable. It all goes back to that. Comfort.
I know that this is a short post, but for those of you that were wondering about this very question, I hope that this helps. Please don't hesitate to ask me any questions that you have.
Tip of the Day: Make sure to swing the baseball bat everyday. Whether you are hitting a ball or not, you need to ingrain the swing into your muscle memory. Even if it's just 30 dry swings per day, think about how natural the swing will begin to feel. This will allow you to spend more time focusing on the most important thing: seeing the ball and hitting it!
Until Next Time!
I know it's been a while. Sorry I've been super busy. A question I've been getting a lot lately is, "where should my hands be in my stance?" This is an issue that is never truly touched on by hitting coaches. Too many coaches tell you that there is a right place and want to clone you as a hitter. There is no right place! As long as your hands end up in the same load position I talked about in my earlier post, it doesn't matter.
A tip that I can give you, however, is to put your hands where they feel the most powerful. You want to feel the strongest that you can in your swing, which will in turn make you the most comfortable. It all goes back to that. Comfort.
I know that this is a short post, but for those of you that were wondering about this very question, I hope that this helps. Please don't hesitate to ask me any questions that you have.
Tip of the Day: Make sure to swing the baseball bat everyday. Whether you are hitting a ball or not, you need to ingrain the swing into your muscle memory. Even if it's just 30 dry swings per day, think about how natural the swing will begin to feel. This will allow you to spend more time focusing on the most important thing: seeing the ball and hitting it!
Until Next Time!
Friday, March 1, 2013
Rotator Cuff Exercises with Bands
Okay,
So I promised you that I'd have a new article coming out on band exercises. Band exercises are the single most important thing you can do with your arm to keep it healthy while gaining strength at the same time. Arm care is truly a daily time commitment. Give it ten minutes a day and you'll be amazed at the difference you will see in both how great your arm feels, and also how strong it is. Here are some exercises: (there are literally hundreds, but here's a few)
1. Internal rotation- This is, as the name states, an exercise that works the internal rotator muscle of the rotator cuff. Have the band off of your hip with your elbow tucked into your hip, then pull the band across your stomach (inward). Do two sets of ten of this exercise.
2. External rotation- This exercise is the opposite, working the external rotator muscle of the rotator cuff. Have your arm in the same position with the band, but this time pull the band outwardly. REMEMBER TO KEEP YOUR ELBOW TUCKED!!! Do two sets of ten.
3. Forward Pushes- This exercise is designed to target the muscles in the front of your shoulder. Put your arm out to the side at shoulder height and make a 90 degree angle upward starting at the elbow. From here simply push your arm forward and keep everything else still. Do two sets of ten.
4. Backward Pulls- Simply do the same thing as forward pushes, except in the opposite direction. This works the muscles in the back of the shoulder. Do two sets of ten.
5. Throwing motions- This one is self explanatory. Just go through your throwing motion. All this is designed to do is to loosen up the arm. Do two sets of ten.
Like I said, these are just a few. If you want more exercises, or have pain in a certain place, don't hesitate to let me know. I'd like to help with any of the certain problems you are having with your arms now that the season is here. I apologize for not getting some illustrations of these, but I struggled to find any good ones.
Tip of the Day: Use a heavy band one day, and a light one the next. Alternate each day. This will be even more rehabilitating to your arm than just using a heavy or just using a light one.
Until Next Time!
So I promised you that I'd have a new article coming out on band exercises. Band exercises are the single most important thing you can do with your arm to keep it healthy while gaining strength at the same time. Arm care is truly a daily time commitment. Give it ten minutes a day and you'll be amazed at the difference you will see in both how great your arm feels, and also how strong it is. Here are some exercises: (there are literally hundreds, but here's a few)
1. Internal rotation- This is, as the name states, an exercise that works the internal rotator muscle of the rotator cuff. Have the band off of your hip with your elbow tucked into your hip, then pull the band across your stomach (inward). Do two sets of ten of this exercise.
2. External rotation- This exercise is the opposite, working the external rotator muscle of the rotator cuff. Have your arm in the same position with the band, but this time pull the band outwardly. REMEMBER TO KEEP YOUR ELBOW TUCKED!!! Do two sets of ten.
3. Forward Pushes- This exercise is designed to target the muscles in the front of your shoulder. Put your arm out to the side at shoulder height and make a 90 degree angle upward starting at the elbow. From here simply push your arm forward and keep everything else still. Do two sets of ten.
4. Backward Pulls- Simply do the same thing as forward pushes, except in the opposite direction. This works the muscles in the back of the shoulder. Do two sets of ten.
5. Throwing motions- This one is self explanatory. Just go through your throwing motion. All this is designed to do is to loosen up the arm. Do two sets of ten.
Like I said, these are just a few. If you want more exercises, or have pain in a certain place, don't hesitate to let me know. I'd like to help with any of the certain problems you are having with your arms now that the season is here. I apologize for not getting some illustrations of these, but I struggled to find any good ones.
Tip of the Day: Use a heavy band one day, and a light one the next. Alternate each day. This will be even more rehabilitating to your arm than just using a heavy or just using a light one.
Until Next Time!
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