Posted on

Training for Force… 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 Force… Elasticity and Acceleration — Part 2”

Posted on

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.

As you read this article, please note that the specific approach may vary from team to team and age level.  A “National” team may have completely different objectives than a more “Local / Regional” team.  A Team for 13-year-olds would have generally different objectives than a team for 16-year-olds that have reached recruiting age.

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

Continue reading “Travel Baseball… Should it Be about Winning or Player Development?”

Posted on

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…

Continue reading “The Infrasternal Angle: Another Tool to Help Give Athletes What They Need”

Posted on

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?

Continue reading “How Did Revolution Players Spend the Off-season?”

Posted on

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”

Posted on

Podcast 102#: Discussing Hard Gainers, Lean Muscle Mass and Protein with Nick Valenti

Today, we’re sitting down with sports nutritionist Nick Valenti to discuss the widely misunderstood topic of sports nutrition. Topics include:

    • Calories-in-calories out… Does it work long term?
    • Advice for hard gainers
    • Caloric restriction, when is it necessary
    • Protein… animal or plant-based

Nick was previously with the Toronto Blue Jays as a dietetic intern.  He also served as an intern with Cressey Sports Performance during the summer of 2023.  Nick has a Master’s of Science from Florida State University in Sports Nutrition and a Bachelor’s degree from Queens College in Nutrition and Dietetics.

Continue reading “Podcast 102#: Discussing Hard Gainers, Lean Muscle Mass and Protein with Nick Valenti”

Posted on

Training for Better Force Production in Pitchers and Baseball Players – Part 1

To the untrained eye, most strength programs look the same.  But when it comes to training for elite performance as a pitcher or a player, the difference between good and bad strength programs is like night and day.  Whether it be posting up on the mound, a lead leg block or first step quickness when changing direction, the rate at which a pitcher or a ball player for that matter can develop force (rate of force development) is one of the main qualities to efficiency in all three movement patterns.

Training for Strength, training for Force and training for Power are not the same thing.  But all equally important for elite performance.

So, let’s get into it…

Continue reading “Training for Better Force Production in Pitchers and Baseball Players — Part 1”

Posted on

Podcast #101: Status of Travel Ball and What to Look for in a Great Program

Today I’m sitting down with my partner here at RPP, Bahram Shirazi, to discuss the current status of travel baseball as well as what to look for in a great travel program. Topics Include:

    • Current status of travel ball
    • Why we started our own program, Revolution Baseball
    • Development vs. winning
    • What parents should consider when choosing a program
    • The recruiting front in travel ball
    • Long-term athletic development or lack thereof
    • The importance of great coaching

Continue reading “Podcast #101: Status of Travel Ball and What to Look for in a Great Program”

Posted on

Podcast #100: My 100th Podcast and 9 “Ah-Ha” Moments Along the Way!

This week marks my 100th episode of the “Behind The Seams Podcast”. It’s been, not only an incredible journey but also, an incredible learning experience. This week I’ll celebrate by going through 9 of my “Ah-Ha” moments with 9 coaches from the following star-studded cast.

    • Randy Sullivan – Back leg mechanics
    • Scott Brown – Common characteristics of elite players
    • Mike Boyle – Unilateral versus bilateral training
    • Mike McFerran – Using data with youth players
    • Brandon McDaniel – Understanding the Infrasternal angle
    • Graeme Lehman – Adjusting mechanics based on architecture
    • Alan Jaeger – Improving your mental game
    • Robin Lund – Finding the leaks in mechanics
    • Sean McGrath – Making front leg adjustments

Hope you enjoy…

Continue reading “Podcast #100: My 100th Podcast and 9 “Ah-Ha” Moments Along the Way!”