Athleticism for Softball Players

Softball training should begin now, this Winter.  There are many ways to improve softball skills so this article will focus on the skills needed to stay more athletic.  Making plays takes 2 things - athleticism and the sport skill.  Getting to the ball, getting to the base, along with staying injury free is what we will focus on in this article. Enjoy! 

Here are 3 ways to help with anyone wanting to improve softball playing abilities:

For youth athlete training click HERE or contact Will at Will@truetraining.pro

ACCELERATION TRAINING - STRAIGHT AHEAD

Being faster will always help in softball and the first thing I would do with an individual or a team is work on improving straight ahead speed (linear acceleration emphasis).   Once linear speed mechanics are improved, those new skills can then be added to the base running practices.  After linear speed is improved, the drills can easily be modified to work on other athletic motions used in softball.  

Action Step:    Improving linear acceleration could be as simple as adding arm drills plus wall drills that emphasize the lower body...then applying this in a progressing speed training routine.  

ACCELERATION TRAINING - LATERAL + BACKWARDS

After basic speed drills for linear acceleration are added and perfected, begin using drills used to work on lateral speed.   This will help for all defensive players when it comes to jumping out and making a play to the side or forward and to the side.  THEN add back-lateral speed progressions to help with turning and running while looking back for the ball.  This is a GREAT way to add speed and athleticism to all infielders and outfielders.     I would then use these new speed skills in practice and apply it all using a softball so they work on speed to the ball in game-like plays.  

Action Step:  for this level of skill, I would contact a speed coach who can either show you how to train for lateral and back lateral speed....or do the training for you.  

MUSCLE ACTIVATION TECHNIQUES

To help with staying athletic, you will also need to stay injury free and moving well.   Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT) helps keep the athlete's body pain free while training. practicing, and playing in all of those games.  MAT can also help keep the body moving well in order to keep making those plays.  It works by improving the muscles' capability to contract on demand and produce more forces, which helps them stay stronger and more tolerable to the game.  

Action Step:  contact your nearest MAT specialist to schedule a consultation and see if MAT will help keep your softball player injury free and more athletic this upcoming season

If you have any questions just click HERE or contact me at Will@truetraining.pro