Increase Bat Speed Using Simple Training Techniques

By Alan Bryan

Are you looking to increase bat speed? Any serious baseball or softball player understands that bat speed is the key to driving the ball harder and farther. It is not how hard your swing, it is how quick you swing. Over the years there have been many gadgets and gimmicks produced that are supposed to increase bat speed. Most of them are simply over priced tools that can actually do more harm than good to your swing.

Unfortunately, technology of today has made it extremely easy for baseball and softball players to get a false since of accomplishment when they use the latest $500 aluminum bat to crush a ball 400+ feet. However, what is really happening is technology is replacing bat speed. When these players get to higher levels of competition, and especially competition that mandates wood bat use, suddenly they don't have that pop in their bat anymore.

Some of the best training techniques to increase bat speed are actually quite simple. Understanding the mechanics of a sound swing will lead you to the areas of your body to train and strengthen to increase your bat speed. Mistakenly, some people feel muscle mass and upper body strength are the key. In reality, building too much mass in your upper body will only cause your bat speed to slow down. That is why it is important to focus on your lower core and lower arm areas when looking to increase bat speed. Strengthening your mid section, legs, and wrists will help you in increasing your bat speed.

There are some great training manuals on how to increase bat speed available today. Visit http://www.batspeedtraining.info for information, tips, drills, and more on ways to increase bat speed today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Bryan

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Bronson Arroyo: Baseball Strength Training at The Workout @ Covington

Cincinnati Reds Pitcher Bronson Arroyo with Reds Coach Matt Krause and ASAP's Ed Cicale in a training session for pitchers at The Workout @ Covington



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Jimmy Rollins - Kettle Ball Swings

Jimmy Rollins, an MVP shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team, teaches the kettle ball swing training exercise. ?Kettle ball swing is actually something I made up for Jimmy. I thought about his movement when he is doing his trunk rotation and stuff. Basically, it's just swinging on a lateral movement. You're swinging upwards and we're coming down and basically it's using the antagonist and the agonist muscles, meaning the opposite muscles because you're exploring one side. And then, you're coming back down and you got to control it going back down. So it's like coming back and forth and you're really working the transverse abdominis and you learn how to roll your hips too and everything. It's not something that you should be using a lot of lately. I think there is no more than like 8-10 pounds of working through the hip, following the motion and to see everything has to do with hips and explosion and be able to hit that ball. That's what we're trying to work on. Usually those with D3 sets of 20.?


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Joe Torre's Genius Shows Against the Cardinals

By Dr. Gary S. Goodman

Without question, some of baseball's very best managers are leading their teams to victory in the 2009 post-season.

Joe Torre is one of them.

What makes him so effective? Article after article notes his steadiness at the helm, his patience, and abiding optimism. But when the playoffs start, he has learned to not hesitate in following his gut.

Apparently, he didn't like how Randy Wolf was aiming the ball in game one against the Cardinals, so Torre pulled him after just a few innings. That is leadership, as I see it.

Torre didn't rely on hope or allow sentiment to dissuade him from bringing in the proverbial hook.

Wolf had been a major factor in many Dodger wins during 2009, and his competitiveness and durability earned him the leading role against the Cards. But his post-season inexperience, or perhaps the fact he was having an off-day, kept him from bringing his best.

The astute Torre saw this, and citing one of his mentors and colleagues, Don Zimmer, who urged doing something when you think of it and not waiting, Torre pulled the trigger.

That move not only kept the Dodgers in the contest, which of course they won, but it showed everyone the skipper was ready to do everything in his power to help his team to prevail.

When players say they're learning a ton from Torre, I believe them. Managers, everywhere, should study his decisions and style.

For most of the season his mantra could be, "There is a tomorrow." He doesn't let any defeat haunt him or his players.

In the post-season, that quickly changes to "There is no tomorrow." The time has come for managing utterly in the moment, decisively putting victory, first.

That's what he did with Wolf, who probably wanted to stay in the game.

Instead of insulting Wolf by replacing him, Torre was really complimenting the starter, tacitly saying: "You're enough of a veteran and team player to understand what I'm doing and not get offended."

That's simply great management.

Dr. Gary S. Goodman is a top speaker, sales, customer service and negotiation consultant, attorney, TV and radio commentator and the best-selling author of 12 books. He conducts seminars and speaks at convention programs around the world. His web site is: http://www.customersatisfaction.com and he can be reached at gary@customersatisfaction.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Gary_S._Goodman

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Baseball Drills - Hitting Problems? Check the Lower Half First

By Nate Barnett

There are very few things more frustrating to an athlete than than to struggle at the plate as a hitter and not understand where the problem stems from. When I work with hitters, I focus on perfecting the functions of lower body mechanics because of the affect the lower body has on the upper half. Trying to solve upper body hitting mechanics without addressing the lower half first is like attempting to build a house beginning with the second story prior to building the basement - it doesn't work too well.

Some of the common mistakes that can be ironed out with some common lower body baseball drills are:

1. Collapsing of the backside (shoulder dipping)

2. Front side (hip) flying open

3. Hunching over the plate (upper body)

4. Hands extending away from body through swing

Here is what to check for as you work with the lower body mechanics of your athletes during some baseball drills.

As the hitter shifts some weight onto his back leg (the load) prior to the pitch, look to see if that weight continues to stay on the back side as the swing begins. Many hitters have the problem of letting their hips slide forward towards the pitcher during the beginning stages of the swing. This problem (often called floating) can be a major cause of some of the above problems.

Because I understand that visualizing the process I'm referring to in text can be tricky, there is a Hitting Mechanics 101 video enhanced ebook I've created that illustrates a proper trigger and lower body mechanics. You can find the ebook by visiting the links below.

Nate Barnett is owner of BMI Baseball designed to improve the mental game of baseball in athletes. Learn how to help your game by improving the skill of mental baseball.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nate_Barnett


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Stealing Bases Strategy For Training

www.QuickSwingTrainer.com

By Sameep Shah

Kids love the game of baseball as they love hitting a home run and their personal baseball glove. Baseball has many tricks and tips which can improve playing. These tricks or strategies can be used to win the game. They require team effort so contribution from all players is a must. As kids love this sport there is no problem of team spirit. Stealing base strategy can be used in a game play. For this you need to practice it first and then apply it in the game. Training is important as you get to know how every move should be made while playing baseball. Here you can afford to make mistakes as correction of that move can be done. Staying fit and healthy is the key to good training.

Stealing basis is a secret strategy it should be known between the batter and the runner only. Well this drill should be performed unknowingly. You should be able to steal a base when it's the right time. When the pitcher is busy in pitching or when he is not concentrating on the game you can run up to the next base. This is required to be done with high speed running. You should be able to reach the second base without being tagged. It is difficult at times but as you practice it in your training it will be easy. Stealing bases required good running skills. If you are slow in it then there are chances where you can get tagged. Just when you think the pitcher is not looking at you make your move immediately. In this act you can complete a home run too.

If you are there on third base then sprinting to the fourth base without being tagged will be a good move. Here you will get a run complete. This is done when you know the batter is going to bunt. This is the time when the ball is not going to go long enough for a full run. This is a confusing trick at times as the pitcher can directly throw at the base where you need to run. Baseball has many tricks like these which are confusing but if practiced with the right help then it is easy to use them in a match. Stealing bases is a famous trick performed by many professionals. It also shows that the Pitcher is not concentrating on the game.

For more information visit Sportscapers University at Houston youth football - You can also find more information and online training videos to help you improve your skills at Katy youth football.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sameep_Shah

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The BatAction Hitting Machine is the Original Rotational Hitting Machine. The BatAction Machine is a great baseball training device for baseball players of all ages and ability levels. The BatAction Machine has an innovative patented design that has a ball suspended horizontally. This simple design makes learning to hit easy, simple and safe.

When a player hits the BatAction Ball, the ball is driven forward and around the machine. The machine then stops the ball and returns it to the player. The horizontal patented design of the machine suspends the ball in mid-air allowing the ball to react to bat contact like a real baseball or softball. The player can hit the ball moving or wait until the ball stops. The batter has ample time between swings to reset and prepare for the next swing.

The Bat Action Machine allows the batter work at a comfortable speed and pace. There is no need for another person. The batter has to do nothing but swing the bat. The Bat Action Machine does everything else. These are no balls to gather, no balls to chase and no balls to pick up. There are no levers to press, balls to toss, or pedals to step on.

The Bat Action is absolutely 100% energy efficient and it is so much fun to hit! It's no wonder; the Bat Action Machine is one of the most popular and best selling baseball training machines ever!

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Baseball Swing - Three Core Movements

www.BatAction.com

By Nate Barnett

When I teach hitting (or pitching for that matter) there are a few important core movements that if accomplished will lead to a greater chance that other movements further in the baseball swing process will be successful. Keep in mind that there are quite a few significant movements within the complete baseball swing. Please don't think the below is an exhaustive list.

Core Hitting Movements:

1. The load. Movement backwards where weight is stacked on back leg is valuable so as to make sure the back knee and hip are fully involved in the triggering (power creation) process. Without the load, little power can be effectively generated with the lower half and therefore, the front hip or hands will begin to take over to compensate (a bad thing).

2. The trigger. Movement forward with the back knee and hip are essential. If the front side (leg and hip mostly here) are doing their job, then the rotation with the back side first will create torque in the swing and allow the upper body to then whip through the bat through the zone.

3. Front side stability. I teach a lot on the lower half of the body. It's the source of the power. If it is not under full control, the upper half must work extra hard, sometimes too much in creating energy while hitting a baseball. Therefore, the front knee and hip should remain closed off to the pitcher as the back side begins it's initial movement. As the rotation continues, the front side will give way and allow full hip rotation to continue. If control of the front side initially is accomplished, the results will be energy (not to be confused with weigh transfer) being directed back into the pitch. If there is little front side control, meaning the hips begin to open too soon, the energy will not be directed into the pitch, but instead away from the plate.

As always, pictures or videos provide the best example for baseball instruction. However, understanding what one is looking at while viewing pictures or videos is the most important part in understand a fundamental baseball swing.

Nate Barnett is owner of BMI Baseball designed to improve the mental game of baseball in athletes. Learn how to help your game by improving the skill of mental baseball.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nate_Barnett

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