MAXIMUM SPORTS CONDITIONING
SOFTBALL TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
Maximum’s philosophy on training softball players stems from the sport-specific actions they need to build, and the tools that college coaches and professional scouts use to judge the ability and potential of pitchers and position players.
These are:
POSITION PLAYERS
- Ability to hit for average
- Ability to hit for power
- Ability to throw (arm strength)
- Ability to defend (position specific)
- Ability to run
PITCHERS
- Arm strength
- Ability to locate
- Movement on the ball
- Change of speeds
- Ability to throw a 3rd and 4th pitch for a strike
- Mound presence, focus, control of running game
Based on these skills, softball players must develop joint stability and connective tissue strength through the shoulder and elbow (to support and stabilize the arm action), core strength and rotary speed (to support the lower lumber spine during throwing and hitting motion, and ability to create torque through separation of hips and hands to generate bat speed and arm speed), posterior chain strength and power (to develop strength through glutes, hips, and legs), reactive ability and quickness (for starting speed and defensive ability), and grip/forearm strength (to create bat speed and rotation on the ball when throwing).
Although each position has its unique demands, all softball players must improve these essential basic motor abilities. A softball player’s ability to run is most often judged by her times from home to first and her 40 yd dash. Although the application of a 40 yd dash to softball specific speed is questionable, it is important because coaches use it as a solid measurement of overall speed.
