This piece was originally written for one of my science writing courses. I enjoy writing and sharing, so I figured why not share this one. I have made some minor edits before posting here. Enjoy! *** For those working in the game of baseball (at every level), these should be exciting times: youth participation rates…
In Part I of this series we discussed some of the initial considerations that must be made by sport coaches before designing a strength training program for their high school team (that is, without the help of a certified strength coach). To reiterate some of the main points from Part I here are some important questions…
Baseball is a sport of timeless tradition, and while many of the game’s greatest qualities are born out of these traditions, many unfortunate stigmas within the sport have held over today from days gone by. One of the oldest and most misguided pieces of dogma plaguing the sport is that strength training is inherently bad…
One of the most common questions that I field in terms of baseball training programs comes in the form of a high school coach, player, or parent requesting a “pitcher-specific” training program. While it is admirable to try to provide the best and most highly-applicable resources possible for young athletes, oftentimes the perception of “pitcher-specific…
In Part I and Part II of this three-installment series we discussed the importance of nutrition and hydration, respectively, over the course of a hot, busy, and demanding travel-ball summer. Today we will dive into another vital consideration for the summer, this one taking place outside of the foul lines: physical training. Coaches, players, and parents all…
In Part I of this series we discussed the importance of ensuring that the travel baseball player not only gets quality food during the summer, but also intakes enough of it. Oftentimes food consumption and nutritional choices are dictated by the circumstances of travel, as well as monetary considerations of the family that is supporting the…
“Summer Seventeen” has arrived, and with it another travel baseball season begins. The manner in which travel-ball consumes the months of May through August for high school-aged ballplayers is rapidly growing from year to year. Tournaments are proliferating and expanding, families are traveling further, the competition is ratcheting higher, and the scouts flock by the…
Efficiency is a vital quality in sports performance. More often than not coaches – both those on the field and those in the weight room – strive for efficiency in training and practice. Of course, this is a commendable goal, and frankly in most circumstances it is a vital quality of any practice or training…
Recently I had a public conversation – or as I like to call, professional banter – on Twitter with a very reputable and credible private-sector strength coach. His questioning was of a post that I wrote for Driveline Baseball discussing common technical faults that I see in the Bench Press, and some suggestions for cleaning up…
Note from the editor: Since sharing the first part of this incredibly well-thought out and written piece with us, Coach Lauren Green (formerly of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization) has taken a new position, now working as an Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach with the Brooklyn Nets organization. Even though Lauren has spent considerable time working…
Ryan J. Faer 