Baseball Training Tips

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Baseball Instruction Time - Coming Soon!

Here we are in the dead of winter. For most of us warm weather and fresh green grass seems a long way off. But spring in not that far away and spring means baseball ~ the great American pastime! If you are an active baseball player than you should be getting in great physical condition and getting ready to improve your skills with proper baseball instruction and training tips. You may be a pitcher who whats to learn to throw a baseball faster and to improve your fastball. You may be a fielder who wants to improve your defensive skills and also to learn how to hit a baseball with more power. In any case now is the time to start getting ready!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Do You Want to Increase Pitching Speed of Your Fastball?

Most baseball pitchers probably want to increase pitching speed of your fastball! Having a really good blazing fastball is absolutely priceless. You can enhance your pitching performance when your fastball has real ZIP on it! The faster your pitch can travel to the plate the better your chances of overpowering the batter. Combining proper practice, training and condition will help increase the speed on your fastball.

Increase Pitching Speed of Your Fastball - Tips!

If has often been thought that pitching with good velocity was just pure talent. Today it is known that with proper training and the right tools you can greatly increase the speed on your fastball. There are many factors involved in improving your pitching speed. Muscle strength along with technique and mechanics are all important. Following a proper program that combines good practice techniques and physical conditioning can help dramatically. Once you start to see notable improvement in your speed of your fastball it will also help make all your other pitchers more effective.

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Increase Pitching Speed of Your Fastball - Long Toss

Outstanding Training Drill for all Baseball Players-
Performing long toss sessions is an excellent way to improve your pitching velocity as well as throwing ability for any ballplayer. Start by being only about 30 feet apart. After each throw or two move a little bit further from you throwing partner. Keep moving further apart and do not be afraid to test yourself. Remember to use hip rotation as you throw and do not just rely on your arm. Mechanics are very important here to prevent arm strain. Also - do not over do ling tossing. As with many physical training methods you can over train. It is not the quantity of this drill that is important so much as the quality that counts. You do not want to develop an over tired arm by doing too much too often.

Increase Pitching Speed of Your Fastball - Stronger muscles throw harder!
Despite what some coaches still believe strength training with weight WILL definitely help your pitching performance when done properly. While certain muscle such as the arm and shoulder muscles are used to a significant amount when pitching your weight training program should be designed to provide overall strength to all your major muscles groups, This includes legs, back, shoulders, abdominal, chest and arms. Do not neglect certain body parts in favor of your arm and do not over train. Also you not attempt maximum lifts as they are not important for your athletic performance. Very important - all weight training exercise should be done in a slow and controlled manner to achieve maximum benefit and safety. More details are available from SuperMuscular.com

Increase Pitching Speed of Your Fastball - Rotator cuff

The importance of your Rotator Cuff Muscles:
Rotator cuff muscle are a vital contribute to the throwing motion. Pitchers need to develop strong rotator cuff muscle to reach a successful level of performance. Light dumbbell exercises or cable machines can be used to perform the simple exercise to strengthen these muscles. Keep you upper arm against your side, rotate outwards and back, then roate (pull) toward the front of your body. Do this against a light resistance, move slowly and gradually increase the weight as you get stronger. Perform 2 or 3 times per week, no more. A cable machine is very effective for this exercise. This will certainly help you reach maximum pitching speed and to do it with the least chance of injury.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Baseball Power Hitting Tips

If you are looking for some baseball power hitting tips you need to know there is more to power hitting then just being strong. It is a combination of being strong, learning to increase your bat speed with that strength and learning how to apply that power to your hitting. If you are looking for a proven method for hitting a baseball farther then you want to aplly sport specific training. Go to Power Hitting Techniques to learn more!

Monday, July 2, 2012

3 Idiotic Weight Training Myths in Baseball

There are many myths out there pertaining to weight training for baseball players. Some of them were created a while ago while others were started not too long ago with the aid of the internet. Through the years, several players have been held back in their baseball workouts as a result of these common myths. We hope that by knowing the actual facts you will know how to adapt your baseball workouts so that you can reach your full potential in the game. Please be aware that I am in no way a doctor and you should seek the advice of your doctor before starting any training plans.

Myth 1: Weight training will probably mess up a great swing.

Facts: Absolutely nothing could be more incorrect! Weight training is vital to become a better hitter! Specific things should be taken into consideration while weight training though. Make sure you're stretching before and after you train, and balance your workouts with cardiovascular training too. Another point to bear in mind is that you're a baseball player and your main training priority is to become better at baseball. This means that while you ought to be exercising, you have to dedicate the majority of your time on the baseball field practicing your baseball fundamentals.

Myth 2: Pitchers should not lift weights.

Facts: Like myth one, not much could be more wrong. If you are a pitcher who doesn't weight train, then you are going to be beaten more often than not by hitters who do lift weights! Several individuals claim that you will get hurt by lifting weights if you are a pitcher. The fact is though, that weight lifting actually keeps you from getting hurt! This is the reason why most major league pitchers commit to a year-round training program, to keep themselves conditioned for the 200+ innings they will be throwing each year.

Myth 3: Weight training is going to make an athlete a better hitter or a better pitcher.

Facts: You are probably saying to yourself "you just told me that both hitters and pitchers should lift weights but now you're telling me it will not make me a better player?" Yes, I am telling you that lifting weights will not make you a better hitter or a better pitcher...alone. While it is extremely important to incorporate a great weight training program into your workouts, you ought to be practicing your swing or your pitching motion to actually make you a better hitter or pitcher. What I'm trying to say is that you need to be spending at least as much time on the field as you are in the gym. It is all about sticking to a well-balanced workout plan.

Now that we've debunked these common baseball training myths, I hope you will find a way to fine-tune your baseball workouts and training plan to help you become the greatest player you can be!

Are you interested in improving your game and being the best baseball player you can be? If so, check out www.BestBaseballWorkouts.com to find more helpful information as well as baseball workouts and training programs for sale that will take your game to the next level!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_E_Wilson
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6264956

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Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Pitchers - Want to Throw a Baseball Harder?

If you are a baseball pitcher, or any position for that matter, chances are you would like to know how to throw a baseball harder. Throwing harder means faster and that gives you a competitive advantage - something every athlete strive for! To increase your ability to throw hard you want to follow a proper program of training, conditioning and practice.

How to Throw a Baseball Harder - Becoming a better pitcher
What exactly does it mean to throw a baseball harder? Well from a physics stand point it means to throw the ball faster. Every pitcher loves the feeling of firing an unhittable pitch past a frustrated batter. Even pitchers who are not pure power pitchers can greatly benefit from have an effective fastball. Pitchers with a variety of off speed pitches (curve, change-up) can have a deceptively quick fastball due to the variation in speeds. It has long been said that the art of pitching to to "throw off the timing" of the hitter. A blazing fastball can help you do exactly that!

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How to Throw a Baseball Harder - Good Mechanics
Proper mechanics are one of the most important aspects of being a good pitcher. Once you have developed a good mechanical motion you want to replicate that with every pitch (with perhaps a slight variation on different types of pitches). Some of the points to keep in mind is that the throwing motion involves the entire body. It begins with a relaxed wind-up, a leg push-off from the rubber, your hips should begin to rotate just before this push-off, your head should remain stable with eyes focused on the target. As your throwing arm comes forward you torso moves forward and down as the arm is accelerated. Your arm angle feel natural. The release point should be consistent as this will help with your control. This motion is completed wtih a good follow through. Always move immediately into a fielding position.

Stronger Muscles Means More Velocity on your Fastball
Having stronger muscles means you have the potential to throw harder and faster. The combination of proper pitching mechanics, good practive habits and muscle strengthening will lead to greater pitching velocity. Since fastball pitching is not just performed with the arm, it is really the entire body working together, it make sense to strengthen all the major muscle groups. Legs, back, abdominal, chest, shoulder and arm (including forearm) muscles should all be exercised with a proper weight training routine. Some key points to keep in mind - weight training exercises should be performed with slow and contoled movements, do not overtrain, just two or three workouts per week are best and listen to your body and rest when you feel fatigues or too sore between workouts. For more details on becoming stronger you can visit SuperMuscular.com

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Better Fastball Pitching

Fastball Pitching

The main weapon and generally the best weapon for a pitcher is his fastball. Good fastball pitching is what makes all your other pitches that more effective. The way that a good pitcher can dominate hitters is by mastering a blazing fastball. To increase the velocity of your fastball is a goal of most pitches and it definitely is a goal worth pursuing. By following a proper program of throwing drill, practice and physical conditioning then you can make great improvements in your fastball. The importance of a good fastball cannot be overstated. It really is the number one pitch in any pitcher's arsenal. Having the ability to dominate batters with a blazing fastball provides the pitcher with a tremendous competitive advantage. It has long been correctly stated that the art of pitching is "disrupting the hitter's timing". A pitcher that has some good off-speed pitches to combine with a good fastball will have his fastball looking that much quicker in comparison to his other offerings. This can certainly confuse the batter and throw off his timing.

Proper mechanics are vital to proper pitching performance and velocity can be increased simply by developing a good pitching motion. The throwing of a pitch actually involves the entire body. A smooth and relaxed windup should be followed with a power leg drive, hip rotation, arm acceleration, proper release point and then follow through. Once your motion is developed proper practice and condition with lead to fastball improvement.

Fastball Pitching - 4 seam Fastball

The four seam fastball should be griped this way - Place the index finger and middle finger across the two seams where the horse shoe opens up to the right (assuming a right handed pitcher). Your thumb should go on the bottom seam . For maximum velocity DO NOT hold the ball deep in your hand but rather lease room between the ball and the web opening between your fingers and thumb. The right ring finger is on the right side of the ball with light pressure for control. Upon releasing the ball you want to apply pressure on the top seam. Fastball Pitching - 2 Seam Fastball
When throwing the 2 seam fastball your grip should be to place the index finger and middle finger over the section where the ball's seams are the closet together. The thumb is placed on the seam on the opposite side of the ball and the ring finger is on the side of the ball to provides control with a light pressure. As with the 4 seam fastball the pressure upon release is on the top seam with the two fingers.
Some things to keep in mind concerning the fastball grips. Increasing the space between the two fingers will tend to decrease the velocity but allow for more control. With the fingers placed closer together then you have potential for more speed but slightly less control. Applying more pressure with the fingertips can increase velocity as well as movement.

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Fastball Pitching - Long Toss - A Simple and Effective Drill
The drill of long toss is one of the most effective drills to increase your arm strength. It will help pitchers and postion players alike. It needs to be done correctly and also not overdone. Too much long toss can lead to a tired or sore arm. It is more then just "playing catch". To begin you and your practice partner should be about 30 to 40 feet apart. After some warm-up throws you should start to move slightly further apart with each throw. The goal is not to just lob the ball to the the other player but to throw straight, with good technique and once at some distance think of it as trying to throw the ball "through or past" your partner, not just to reach him. 15 to 20 minutes of long toss practice three times per week will certainly improve arm strength. At other times when you are actually pitching off a mound this improved strength will result in increased velocity on your fastball.

Fastball Pitching - Exercise and Conditioning
As with most sports the overall conditioning of the athlete can have a great effect on the performance. By increasing both cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength you can achieve a high level of fitness. Cardio endurance is achieved by various endurance exercise. Probably the most common is running. While a pitcher does not need (or want) to train like a marathoner, a regular running program of 20 to 30 minutes 3 times per week will provide excellent conditioning. Cycling, swimming and other endurance activities will yield similar benefits.
By strengthening your overall muscle strength you have a tremendous potential for increasing your pitching ability. While the act of pitching relies heavily on the arm and shoulder that does not mean that these are the only muscles that require conditioning. Pitching a baseball requires the entire body and weight training exercise should strengthen legs, back, chest, abdominal, shoulder upper arm and forearm muscles. Weight training exercises should be performed with slow and controlled movements, not fast jerky motions. Do not over train by doing too many sets, long workouts or by training too frequently. Additional weight training information can be found at SuperMuscular.com.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Do You Want to Know How to Throw a Baseball Faster?

How to Throw a Baseball Faster

Knowing how to throw a baseball faster is vital to the success of a pitcher at every level of baseball. An outstanding pitcher can dominate a batter on a regular basis and this is best accomplished by having a fast and well controlled fastball..... the most important pitch in baseball! If you are looking for ways to increase your pitching speed then you will want to follow a sensible program of training and conditioning.
How to Throw a Baseball Faster - An overview
There are many factors that are important in learning how to throw a baseball faster. Obvious arm strength is a big factor. But more then just arm strength you want overall muscle conditioning..... arm (upper and lower arm), shoulder, chest, back abdominal and leg muscles are all used in the pitching motion. The throwing motion is best accomplished by developing proper mechanics. Throwing is not just done with the arm but actually involves the entire body: from the wide-up completed with a leg push off, hip and torso rotation, arm acelleration and follow through. Once a good motion is accomplished it should be used on each pitch with very little variation. It is easier for the body to repeat a strenuous task if it is a task that you have repeated over and over again. This is why your release point should be consistent.

How to Throw a Baseball Faster - Long Toss
The Number One Throwing Drill
Practicing long toss drills is a proven way to improve your pitching speed. It is also very helpful for developing the throwing ability for any ballplayer. Begin by playing catch with your partner at about 30 feet apart. Every few throws you want to move a little bit further apart. Continue moving a greater distance apart but do so gradually. Remember to use good mechanics. Throw with your body not just your arm. This means use hip rotation, leg push off and follow through. Do not just rely on your arm. Mechanics are important here to prevent arm strain. A very important point is to realize is that you do not want to overdue this drill. As with many physical training methods you can over train. While this is a very good drill you do not want to just do endless amounts of long toss. Do a moderate amount and then allow your body and muscles to adapt to the stress. That is how you will improve.
How to Throw a Baseball Faster - Rotator Cuff Muscles
Your Rotator Cuff Muscle, which is located behind the shoulder and blow the exterior muscle (posterior deltoid) is a vital contributor to your throwing motion. A pitcher needs to have a strong rotator cuff muscle to perform well and avoid injury. Unfortunately it is one of the areas that often gets injured from throwing. The good news is that you can easily make this muscle stronger. Light dumb bell exercises or cable machines can be used to perform the simple exercise to strengthen these muscles. Keep you upper arm against your side, rotate outwards and back, go as far as you can then pause, then rotate (pull) toward the front of your body. If using a dumb bell lay on the floor, on your left side to work your right shoulder. Do this against a light resistance, perform the motion slowly and gradually increase the weight as you get stronger. Perform 2 or 3 times per week, no more. A cable machine is very effective for this exercise. This will certainly help you reach your maximum pitching speed and decrease your chance of injury.

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How to Throw a Baseball Faster - Stronger Muscle WILL Help you!
As with just about every athletic activity, becoming stronger will improve your pitching performance. Some "old school" coaches may still mistakenly speak against strength training but it is a fact that stronger throwing muscles are faster throwing muscles. What does this mean for the pitcher who wants to increase fastball speed? It simply means that following a sensible, overall strength training program will help your pitching. Do not just concentrate on just arm and shoulder muscles but you should train all your major muscle groups - Legs, back, abdominal, chest, shoulder, upper and lower arms. Very Important - Do not over train. this is a common mistake and it actually decreases your results. Perform only 2 to 3 workouts per week. A low number of sets, such as one or two will work best. Do exercise the muscle until it is fully fatigued. Always perform weight training exercises in a slow and controlled motion. No fast or jerky movements. These are NOT effective for developing muscle strength and can cause injury. >>>More specific strength training information is available from SuperMuscular.com