Many coaches want to believe that running is vital in the ability to pitch deeper into games. After all, the ability to go 6 or 7 innings has to require greater endurance than only going 4 or 5 innings. So logically what do we do to build endurance??? We run! While that may help general endurance, that doesn’t necessarily transfer …
Upper Body Scapular Patterns
Training the upper body isn’t always about the “what,” but more about the “how.” This article was written and posted at simplifaster.com. Complete Upper Body Training Guide for Baseball Athletes
Pitcher vs Position Player Training at the HS Level
The number one question I get from high school coaches is how they should train their pitchers and position players differently. My usual answer is they most likely don’t need to be trained differently. They Need General Development Too many athletes at the high school level lack general development. It’s highly likely that most high school athletes have a very …
Regaining the Overhead in Overhead Athletes
Regaining motion following heavy doses of high intensity throwing cannot be overlooked. Throwing causes significant range of motion changes. Any movement activity causing significant muscle damage can alter movement in the days following. Pitchers throwing a large amount of pitches suffer significant eccentric stress, not only in the arm/shoulder but throughout the entire body. Joint distraction forces at the shoulder …
The Reverse Lunge: Building a Foundation for Athletes
Training the lower half of the body usually focuses on the big movements like squats and deadlifts. They dominate the landscape for most athletes, and rightly so. When you look at a pitching motion, the majority of the actual motion from leg pickup to release is performed through an interplay of single leg motion. That interplay could fill a novel, …
Ahead of the Curve PODCAST
Was really fortunate to receive a call several months ago from a high school coach in the metroplex by the name of Jonathan Gelnar @J_Gelnar7. He runs a great baseball specific podcast called Ahead of the Curve. If you haven’t checked it out yet make time to do so as he’s put out a wealth of information from a variety of coaches. Ahead …
5 Reasons Why Pitchers Need to Sprint
I believe strongly in the benefits of speed training for all athletes, including pitchers. Proper speed training helps improve the stretch reflex, enhances coordination, aids in increasing all around hip motion, develops reactivity, and complements strength and power development. It falls directly in line with our overall philosophy of training pitchers to be fast, powerful, and explosive. “Train fast to …
RBI Performance Podcast
I spent this past Saturday talking with Blair Bundy, and Steven Reinlie. Both played college baseball and are involved with the game now in the respective professions. Blair is a PT in Houston. Steven is a DC in Austin and spent time as a strength coach early on in his career. Both treat athletes from little leaguers on up whether it’s rehabbing them from minor overuse injuries, return …
Creating Scapular Control
It’s no secret how important the scapula is in the health of an overhead throwing athlete. A stable scapula gives rise to a healthy, mobile, glenohumeral joint. The scapula is to the shoulder, what the low back and pelvis are to the hip. The human body is always stabilizing, and mobilizing at the same time to create motion. Look no …
The Forgotten Serratus Anterior
The serratus anterior may be most overlooked muscle in importance for shoulder health in the throwing athlete. The lower trap (LT), serratus anterior (SA), and upper trap (UT) all work in conjunction to form a force couple known as upward rotation. Upward rotation is of huge importance for shoulder health when it comes to the overhead athlete. If you can’t …