Baseball Coaching and Training Equipment Blog

Welcome to the Coachesbest.com official baseball coaching and training blog. Our free baseball coaching articles, drills and tips will help your improve your baseball training and baseball practice. Our daily posts and archives provide you with tips to help you plan your baseball practices and baseball workouts. Make sure to save or bookmark this site to your favorites for future visits. Good luck to your team!

Friday, July 26, 2013

Baseball Pitching Changeup Tips: How to throw a changeup

How to Throw a Baseball Changeup Pitch



In this ProTips4U baseball instructional training video, Tim Collins, relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals shows you How to Throw a Changeup. Learn the different types of changeup grips such as the "Palm Ball" and the "Circle Change," plus Tim shows demonstrates the changeup showing you arm motion and proper speed.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProTips4U
Twitter: https://twitter.com/protips4u
Purchase autographed memorabilia: http://www.protips4u.com/shop/shop.html

Tim Collins is a hard throwing left-handed relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals baseball team. Collins began his professional career in 2007 with the Toronto Blue Jay's minor league baseball affiliate the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays. In 2010, Baseball America magazine rated Collins as having the best curveball in the Blue Jays organization.

In 2010, Collins was traded, to the Kansas City Royals. To check the most recent stats for Tim Collins, visit his player page on MLB.com.

This up-and-coming left-handed baseball pitcher shared a number of critical tips and drills with Pro Tips 4U, including "How to Throw a Changeupl," "Baseball Pitching Drills" and "Rotator Cuff Exercises." These educational videos were filmed at Eric Cressey's Cressey Performance in Hudson, MA.

Tim's ProTips4U page: http://www.protips4u.com/featured-con...

--------------

Check out our sponsors:

Baseball2u.com
Hit2win.com

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

3 Idiotic Weight Training Myths in Baseball

Baseball Weight Training Tips

By Guest Author: Thomas E Wilson

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

===========================

Baseball Coaching Digest
Baseball Parent Guide
Baseball2u.com Training Store
Hit2win.com - Hitting Tips
Advanced Skills Tee
HurricaneHittingMachine.com

Monday, July 15, 2013

Top baseball coaching tip: good or bad idea to keep the back elbow up when hitting?

Several years ago while traveling in Missouri with my son, we stopped off, as we often do, to take advantage of a commercial batting cage to get in some strokes. We soon learned the entire facility was rented to a youth baseball team so we sat to watch them in action, comparing notes on what was and wasn't working for the hitters. Meanwhile, the youth coach busily walked from one end of the cages to the other shouting baseball hitting tips and instructions to his players. We were in our glory watching from the bleachers.

"Get that back elbow up!" was the coach's main cry—a very common batting instruction heralded by coaches around the globe. But just exactly what does it do for the hitters? And why do coaches feel it is so important? We stuck around to found out.

Later, I asked the coach directly, "Are you getting ready to play a game?"

He answered, "Yes, when they finish practice."

Then I asked, "Coach, why do you tell your players to get the back elbow up?"

And he answered honestly, "I really don't know why. But everyone teaches it. So it must be right."

Okay, this was definitely going to be a teaching moment.

Let's explore some basic baseball hitting mechanics. What happens when the back elbow is up as the hitter goes to the ball? Many students who come to me will have their elbow up, and we will immediately adjust it to a position about 45 degrees from touching the backside.

By raising the elbow to 90 degrees, we change the grip on the top hand (making the knuckles over-rotated) and unless the hitter makes an adjustment prior to contact, this grip will cause him to roll his hands, losing club head accuracy to the ball.

What about the pros? Why do some of them have the back elbow up? Pros who start with the back elbow up in stance make an adjustment as they go to the ball. What should be the responsibility of the back elbow? It is to support the top hand on the bat. The elbow cannot do this if it is as high as the hand. It gives much better support to the grip and to the top hand by being under it—not equal to it.

When checking a hitter as he approaches the ball the elbow should be under the bat in the formation of a "V"—which we call a "Power-V". This keeps the grip correct and the hands in a state of strength.

Coach's Extra Tip: The role of the top elbow is to support the bat. When it is up, this support is lost, and the grip is changed. This is not what we want. "Get the Back Elbow Up" is one of the worst things that you can tell your players.

===============

Coach Joe Brockoff

Coach Joe Brockoff, a Division I Head Baseball Coach for Tulane University for more than 19 years, and former minor league player for the New York Yankees, has sent 45 baseball players to the pros and coached thousands of college level and youth players using his proven Super 8 Hitting System. Coach Brockoff's unique drills, tips, and techniques have increased many players' batting average by more than 200 points.

To learn more about our proven baseball hitting system, complete with instructional videos, visit http://www.learnbaseballhitting.com. Our unique approach to increasing bat speed and power, improving batting averages, and improving overall performance has sent 45 baseball players to the professional leagues, and inducted Coach Joe Brockoff into the baseball Hall of Fame.

To learn more visit the Super 8 Baseball Hitting System web site at http://www.learnbaseballhitting.com and then check out our free baseball instructional videos here.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/coach-joe-brockoff/544456

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Throwing Errors - Physical Or Mental?

Throwing Errors - Physical Or Mental?

By Jim Bain

Are throwing errors the result of a physical miscue... or a mental lapse? That, of course is a trick question because both or correct. However, do you know it's a proven fact throwing errors are the result of a mental issue more than a physical miscue?

Teaching players "How" to throw begins at Tee-ball, but learning "Where" to throw the ball does not occur until much later, possibly four or five years, into a player's career.

This makes a difference? A resounding "Yes". When players are taught situational strategy and conditioned on where to throw the ball defensive blunders, due to bad throws, drop dramatically.

To explain, let's look at the pitcher, who has to throw every ball over a rubber plate that is 17" wide and within the strike zone, as far as up and down, which could be different for every batter and every umpire. Add this control issue to the pitcher being restricted, by rules, on how and where he must throw the ball from, the pitching mound, this becomes a daunting task. Yet he is expected to achieve this pinpoint control on the greater percentages of his throws.

Now look at an example of the second baseman. The greater percentage of time this infielder, after catching the baseball, has the ability and time to move his feet in order to get into proper throwing position.

He is throwing to a target, first baseman, which could be 6 feet tall or more, with an arm span of three to four feet on either side of the base. In addition, the first baseman is permitted to move from the base, then return, in order to catch the ball. In other words, the fielder is throwing to a target which could measure 10 feet high and 14 feet wide.

Hitting a target 17 inches wide vs. one 14 feet wide, and at times thrown from the exact same distance. Based on this scenario, should there ever be a wild throw to first base created by a pure physical miscue? The answer is most likely, "Not normally."

Yet they do occur and based on proven statistics, mainly from mental mistakes. So how do we stop these mental miscues?

1. Knowing the situation and how you will react is the single most important method in eliminating mental related throwing errors. Number of outs, inning, score, speed of runners, where are force plays and numerous other factors must be analyzed and action assigned to each scenario "Before" the play.

This may seem a daunting task at first, but after obtaining experience the average player will perform this task in a matter of seconds, but it must be a mental action, it's not automatic.

2. Don't compound errors by throwing foolishly. The more throws a play involves the greater the chance of an errant throw. If the infielder muffs the play and has no chance of throwing the runner out at first, why throw it? Sometimes the smart play is to simply hold the ball and limit the damage.

3. Turning long throws into short throws reduces the risk of errors. Ever see a major league shortstop throw to the second baseman for a force out while only beating the runner by a couple of feet, when he could have thrown the batter out at first by yards and wondered why?

The throw to second was shorter. It's just that simple.

Throwing errors created by mental lapses can nearly be eliminated if the player keeps his head in the game, always analyzing, thinking ahead and asking what if this happens.

Jim Bain, former Minor league baseball player and member of "Baseball Coaches of America" shares his advice on baseball coaching baseball drills on his exciting info packed website: http://www.learn-youth-baseball-coaching.com

Be sure to check out his 2 books on Amazon, "The Pitch" and "Season of Pain". Great reading about baseball.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Bain Thanks to these sponsors:
Baseball2u.com HurricaneMachineParts.com

Monday, July 8, 2013

Baseball Training and Baseball Hitting Training Tips

Baseball training from Coach Brockhoff http://www.learnbaseballhitting.com/b... - Why do we teach bat on the shoulder? Click to get hitting and training tips for baseball from the Super 8 Hitting.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Bat Speed Tip That Works Every Time

Bat Speed Tip That Works Every Time

By Jeffery A Wise

If you want to learn how to improve your bat speed, there are plenty of tips available in books and online. Some are helpful while others are not. The tip mentioned in this article was suggested by Hall of Fame greats such as Tony Gwynn, Ted Williams and Wade Boggs.

For having the best possible bat speed, you have to know when to let your top hand off of the bat. A full two-handed swing will actually decrease bat speed by eight to 10 miles per hour. Letting go too early will also lower bat speed.

Pay attention to your swing to see if you tend to let go of the bat too early or not at all. If this has become a habit, you must find balance in the middle so you can have the ultimate bat speed.

It's very natural as you swing to let your top hand go after you make contact with the ball. This helps you finish the swing without actually slowing it down. Keep both hands on the bat until right after contact and you're sure to hit the ball harder, making it faster.

If you notice that you're doing it wrong, talk with a coach or hitting instructor before trying to correct it yourself. They may have some good tips and they'll be able to give advice from an outsider's point of view. It is worth mentioning if you're not sure. That way you'll be more likely to gain bat speed.

Letting go of the bat right after you make contact is good because it allows you to obtain a full extension. And of course, it allows you to hit the ball with maximum power.

If you watch Ken Griffey Jr. swing, you see exactly what I'm talking about. He always had full extension and a natural power. He also released his top hand beautifully and had one of the best swings in the history of baseball. While you most likely won't ever play like Ken Griffey Jr., you can be a better hitter with the help of this one tip.

This single tip could alone give you the extra bat speed you need to drive the ball harder and get more base hits. You could actually help your team win more games and improve your stats. Now that you know this tip, practice it until you get it right so that you can be the baseball hitter you've always wanted to be.

Remember that the reason to improve you bat speed is to give you skills and talent to become the baseball player you want to be. Download free hitting videos with tips and instructions you need to get started quickly by visiting Baseball Hitting and learn how to hit the baseball better.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffery_A_Wise Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6300006

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Arm Strength Development for Baseball

This is part 1 of a throwing program designed to increase arm strength. This long toss routine is progressive and each session is meant to build on the last. Every workout is preceded with a general & throwing specific warm-up. Visit http://www.delucastraining.com for the accompanying print-outs and articles.