2009 is only a few hours away and it's time for the resolution.
Just like A LOT of people at this time of the year, you mightbe thinking that getting fitter should be something you shoulddo in the next few months.
Yes, you definitely should.
I've been designing softball-specific strength and conditioningprograms for teams and individual athletes for over 10 years now.
Let me tell you that while proper skills execution is the mostimportant performance factor in our sport, developing morestrength, speed, and power can really help support the executionof these skills and improve a player's game significantly.
While most players and coaches are aware of that, many stilldon't take seriously enough.
They know that getting in good shape by doing softball conditioningwould help their game but somehow they don't give it enoughimportance or focus.
Why is that? I believe that it's mostly a mix of lack of timeand motivation but also not believing softball conditioningis important enough and not knowing enough about it to realizethe difference it can make.
In other words, I think people know it can help them but aren't really conscious of all the great benefits it can really bring to their game.
Here is a list of 20 reasons why you MUST make softball conditioning an important part of your training if you want to become the best you can be and dominate on the softball field.
When you follow a well-designed softball-specific conditioning program that uses advanced training techniques and the best exercises for softball, you will...
1. Pitch faster and throw harder
2. Swing the bat harder and hit the ball further
3. Steal more bases
4. Get better jumps off the bases
5. Explode out of the batter's box
6. Run down more balls in the field
7. Reach, stretch and get more of those "oh-so-close" balls
8. React faster
9. Have more stamina for long games and tournaments
10. Stay healthy and avoid injuries
11. Tolerate heat better and perform when it's really hot
12. Practice longer without being tired or losing your focus
13. Be much more consistent and have less "ups and downs"
14. Get it faster when learning or refining a skill becauseof increased body awareness
15. Be much more confident and feel stronger
16. Be mentally tougher
17. Get more extra bases when running
18. Develop an athletic body
19. Recover faster between innings and games
20. Be more dominant in all aspects of the game
Is that a good enough list to include some form of softball-specificconditioningas part of your training?
It used to be that being in shape for softball was an edge on your opponents but it isn't true anymore.
Today, you have to be in great softball-specific shape to competeat the highest level. If you are out of shape, you are now at a disadvantage.
Softball conditioning is now an integral part of what serious and committed softball players and teams do to get themselves ready to compete.
What are you waiting for? Happy New Year!