Thursday, October 30, 2014

Baseball Speed

Hello Everyone!

As mentioned in my recent post, baseball and softball are pure power sports. Whoever can generate the most power in the quickest time will be at an advantage. Power can also be thought of as how fast can you move your strength.

When we think of power and running, two main focuses are ACCELERATION and MAXIMUM VELOCITY. Acceleration is your starting speed, either from a dead stop or a minimal movement, to the point where you reach your top end speed. Your top speed is your maximum velocity.

In this great video (click this link) we see Jarrod Dyson use his power to accelerate from his lead off spot, a little less than 10 yards in, to second base in 2.19 seconds (that's over 20 yards covered!). Then as he approaches third we see the red dot signify where he hits his maximum velocity of 21.1 mph, and that's off an angle from rounding second base!

Click HERE to watch video

On the next play we see him tag from third and on a straight ahead sprint accelerate for about 10 yards at a clip of 1.34 seconds to his maximum velocity (the next red dot) of 21mph about another 10 yards in. To get to 21 mph in about 20 yards takes a large amount of power. Dyson moves his strength very fast.

At AGSP we build strength in the weight room, but we also learn how to apply that strength into powerful running by teaching proper acceleration and maximum velocity mechanics. You can't just lift weights and assume you'll become more powerful and faster. You have to learn how to move that strength fast.

Keep Training! 
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Baseball Agility

Hello Everyone!

AGSP has seen the return of many of it's baseball and softball athletes over the past few days. So I thought now would be a good time to share two baseball agility videos that were sent to me from an AGSP athlete.

Baseball and Softball are about as powerful, fast-twitch-muscle-fibered sports as you can get. The best players are the ones that can generate a tremendous amount of power in a split second.  Swings, pitches, and throws are all about quick power.

A skill set that isn't as well appreciated in baseball and softball athletes are their agility skills. Agility is an athlete's ability to change his/her body's position and direction quickly and efficiently. Here are two great examples of agility on the diamond.


And yet again...


Everyday at AGSP we work on both power and agility improvement. Which is a big reason why so many of our athletes are returning for another off-season of training!

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance