As you know pitching involves a lot of technique that incorporates a lot more than just throwing the ball with your arm. Your entire body has to be working as a solid unit to create the maximum amount of force in order to blow the ball by a batter! Because of the physical exertion that is required with pitching you must make certain that your body is properly trained and conditioned in order to endure the taxing feat of throwing the ball hard over and over again.
As a strength and conditioning specialist I will tell you that there is no better friend to the baseball pitcher than the ancient kettlebell. Kettlebell training for the baseball pitcher is a definite way for a player to gain the edge on the competition. If you have a strength and conditioning program for baseball then you have got to include the kettlebell into your current program or change from what you are already doing. I will tell you that if you aren't willing to change then you will not experience the true benefit of this ancient strength training device. Kettlebells have been around for over three centuries and have been used by the world's greatest strongmen and athletes. If you don't consider utilizing this tool to increase your pitching performance then you are doing yourself a disservice! Executing some of the more basic lifts with the kettlebell such as swings and snatches are also great for promoting further shoulder stability and strength which is a necessity for a pitcher.
Take the time to endure the learning curve of kettlebell training. If you haven't already done it then you need to invest in your own bell as soon as you finish reading this article. Feel free to access my other articles on how you can start!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Richey
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The Kettlebell - The Path For the Baseball Player to Achieve Cleanup Hitting Power!
If you want to show up at the beginning of baseball season practice and impress your teammates and coaches with your bat speed and power then you need to learn about the kettlebell. Kettlebells have been around for over three centuries and have been field tested and proven by the greatest strongmen and athletes of all time! This ancient tool is second to nothing in terms of helping you to develop superior athleticism and the performance to match!
First of all, in order to train with kettlebells you must learn proper technique. Just like hitting the baseball requires fine tuning your skills so does kettlebell training. This particular type of training integrates hundreds of your muscles at once training your body to perform with the most efficient movements. Training your body for strength and power requires big core movements and learned skills. It involves a lot more than just "going through the motions!" Kettlebell training for baseball is a sure way to increase your athleticism and allow you to develop the necessary core strength for you to match the power of any cleanup hitter! In order to achieve an optimal level of strength and conditioning as it relates to baseball you must have a sound training plan. The kettlebell is the perfect device and method of training for the baseball player to invest in!
If you want to take the path to developing superior hitting power then take the time to learn about the iron bell. I will even make it easy for you by allowing you to access ALL of my other articles on the matter for FREE! Train hard and enjoy my friends.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Richey
First of all, in order to train with kettlebells you must learn proper technique. Just like hitting the baseball requires fine tuning your skills so does kettlebell training. This particular type of training integrates hundreds of your muscles at once training your body to perform with the most efficient movements. Training your body for strength and power requires big core movements and learned skills. It involves a lot more than just "going through the motions!" Kettlebell training for baseball is a sure way to increase your athleticism and allow you to develop the necessary core strength for you to match the power of any cleanup hitter! In order to achieve an optimal level of strength and conditioning as it relates to baseball you must have a sound training plan. The kettlebell is the perfect device and method of training for the baseball player to invest in!
If you want to take the path to developing superior hitting power then take the time to learn about the iron bell. I will even make it easy for you by allowing you to access ALL of my other articles on the matter for FREE! Train hard and enjoy my friends.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Richey
3 Hitting Drills Guaranteed to Produce Hits
When a player doesn't hit, frustration sets in for players and parents alike. Hitting can be a very difficult skill for parents and untrained coaches to figure out. The good news is that you don't have to know what is wrong as long as you know how to "fix it." Hitting in its most basic form comes down to doing three things - watching the ball, throwing the hands (bat) at the ball, and opening the hips. The following three drills will make these things happen and can prove a quick exit from the player's hitting slump.
1. Seeing the Ball Drill - In batting practice put an object like a ball glove or empty soda can at the front of the opposite side batter's box. After taking their swing, the hitter should keep their eyes on the placed object for a second or two before looking out to see where they hit the ball. This will prevent hitters from pulling their head out early on the pitch and help prevent them from over swinging.
2. Pad Drill - Place a pad like a sponge, towel or the player's glove under their lead armpit when taking batting practice. The hitter's goal is to keep the glove under the arm until contact and then allow the pad to fall out after making contact. This drill ensures that the hitter is using their hands and forearms to swing the bat in a compact, direct manner.
3. Back Knee Pick-up Drill - Have the hitter pick up their back leg with their back knee turning to point at the pitcher as they swing. This drill will force the hitter to use their front side to pull the bat initially as well as forcing the hitter to open their hips. Both of these forced moves with this drill promote contact, weight shift and power.
There are many hitting drills that can benefit a hitter and it is a good idea to continue with some of them throughout the season. Drills are the best way to develop good fundamentals whereas batting practice is good for the hitter's timing.
Finally, it is always best to challenge hitters during batting practice with game like speeds and speed changes. There is no speed that is too slow or too fast, within reason of course based on the age of the player. Remember, you don't need to know what is fundamentally wrong with a hitter's swing as long as you know how to fix it.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Perconte
1. Seeing the Ball Drill - In batting practice put an object like a ball glove or empty soda can at the front of the opposite side batter's box. After taking their swing, the hitter should keep their eyes on the placed object for a second or two before looking out to see where they hit the ball. This will prevent hitters from pulling their head out early on the pitch and help prevent them from over swinging.
2. Pad Drill - Place a pad like a sponge, towel or the player's glove under their lead armpit when taking batting practice. The hitter's goal is to keep the glove under the arm until contact and then allow the pad to fall out after making contact. This drill ensures that the hitter is using their hands and forearms to swing the bat in a compact, direct manner.
3. Back Knee Pick-up Drill - Have the hitter pick up their back leg with their back knee turning to point at the pitcher as they swing. This drill will force the hitter to use their front side to pull the bat initially as well as forcing the hitter to open their hips. Both of these forced moves with this drill promote contact, weight shift and power.
There are many hitting drills that can benefit a hitter and it is a good idea to continue with some of them throughout the season. Drills are the best way to develop good fundamentals whereas batting practice is good for the hitter's timing.
Finally, it is always best to challenge hitters during batting practice with game like speeds and speed changes. There is no speed that is too slow or too fast, within reason of course based on the age of the player. Remember, you don't need to know what is fundamentally wrong with a hitter's swing as long as you know how to fix it.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Perconte
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