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Six Key Reasons to Train the Anterior Core

In this article, we are going to look at a few major reasons why I believe it is ESSENTIAL to strengthen and create better control in the anterior core. Below is a list of 6 topics which I consider to be pure gold when it comes to becoming more explosive while reducing the risk of injury both on the mound and behind the plate.

    1. Positive Impact on Breathing
    2. Resisting Extension / Rotation
    3. Better Force Transfer to Upper Body
    4. Reduced Risk of Injury
    5. Lower Body / Hip Function
    6. Improving Shoulder Function

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Podcast #106: Life in the Transfer Portal with Ohio State Pitcher Ryan Butler

Today, I’m sitting down with former Liberty University and now Ohio State pitcher Ryan Butler to discuss his experiences and lessons learned once you enter the college transfer portal. Topics Include:

    • Topics prompting a decision to enter the portal
    • What happens the day after you sign?
    • Monetary / NIL considerations

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Podcast #105: Global Movement Patterns… Why Are They Important

Global Movement Patterns

On this week’s podcast, we’re talking about global movement patterns, why they’re so important, their influence on performance and some great coaching cues to increase motor learning. Topics Include:

    • Letting the athlete solve the movement problem
    • Improving overall athleticism
    • Common mistakes when coaching

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Revolution Baseball… Foundations of Strength Training and Building Elite Ball Players

Strength is the foundation of most athletic movements, and at Revolution Baseball, strength training is at the core of our travel program. Our general thinking is that you need to be strong in order to become a high-performance or even elite ball player. Whether it’s throwing a baseball, hitting one over the fence or running to field a ball, everything begins with a foundation of strength.

    • You can’t throw hard (at least not for very long) if you’re NOT strong
    • You can’t hit the ball hard if you’re NOT strong
    • You can’t run fast or change direction quickly if you’re NOT strong

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Training for Better Force Production in Ball Players… Elasticity and Acceleration – Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of “Training Better Force Production”.

While we are building the “capacity” to produce more force through overcoming isometrics and deceleration (click here for Part 1), we can also start training the second half of the force equation, which is elasticity and acceleration. This involves training the body’s ability to quickly relax and then re-activate muscles in order to allow the connective tissue to take on a larger portion of the “faster” work.

It’s all about improving elasticity and acceleration, so let’s get into it…

    1. Building Elasticity
    2. Building Acceleration

Continue reading “Training for Better Force Production in Ball Players… Elasticity and Acceleration — Part 2”

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Travel Baseball… Should it Be about Winning or Player Development?

We often get asked whether our Revolution Travel Baseball program is about “player development” or “winning”? First, let me say that RPP Baseball is operating at full capacity. We didn’t start a travel program to fill up the building. In fact, we are currently seeking additional space. Second, we aren’t looking to build just another travel program. Similar to our player development programs we are looking to build a nationally recognized travel program that can compete with any organization at any level.

With that said, let’s cover the topic “winning vs. development?”

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The Infrasternal Angle: Another Tool to Help Give Athletes What They Need

infrasternal angle

The infrasternal angle (ISA) is an angle formed by the cartilage of the lower ribs and the twelfth thoracic vertebra.  This angle spans a spectrum from narrow to wide. Generally, individuals with an ISA > 90 degrees are considered “Wide”, while < 90degrees are considered “Narrow”.  It has been our experience through assessments at our facility that most “Narrows” fall between 80-90 degrees, while the “wide” guys fall somewhere between 95-105 degrees.  The ISA is a representation of a person’s breathing strategy as well as the balance of the internal and external oblique muscles, and the position of the pelvis.

It’s important to note that although we have had athletes that present as a Narrow, they have excelled on the mound with the mechanics generally found in Wide athletes and vice-versa. So, there are no absolutes in this business.  However, the ISA can still tell us a lot about an athlete’s “preferred strategy” both in the weight room and on the mound.  Let’s get into it…

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How Did Revolution Players Spend the Off-season?

When we set out to form our own travel baseball program, we wanted to make sure that player development plays a significant role.  Player development can mean a lot of different things depending on who you ask.  Some consider player development to be skill-based, while others consider it to be physical development.

For us, player development means a holistic approach to developing the athlete. As players and parents look to the next pitch or next at bat or even the next game, we are looking out 2-4 years from a medium to long-term development standpoint.  What do we mean by this?

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Podcast #103: Reducing the Risk of Injury through Training Force

Today, I’ll be talking about Force Production. While being strong will definitely help produce higher ground force, training the tendons and ligaments to also accept the explosive ground forces that happen on the field is also paramount. Topics Include:

    • Training Eccentric Force for Better Deceleration
    • Improving Elasticity and Acceleration
    • Isometric Training for Better Tendon / Ligament Quality

Continue reading “Podcast #103: Reducing the Risk of Injury through Training Force”