*** Below is a brief summary of the various components of our many programs. Please note that depending on age and time of year, different programs may incorporate different disciplines and variations from the list provided below. If you’d like further specific details on which programs focus on which protocols, please contact the front desk.
Hitting development at RPP is a year-round effort, with different programs going on at different times of the year. Our programming can be adjusted according to each athletes individual timeline, but as a whole, generally follows the seasonal timeline of the sport, with adjustments to programming being made in the summer, fall, winter and spring. The following at the various components of the hitting program:
Analysis
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- Movement and Physical Assessment
- Motion Capture Analysis
- Video Analysis
Hitting
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- Individualized Hitting Program
- Swing Design
- K-Vest Analysis
- Blast Metrics
Strength Training
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- Strength and Conditioning Program
- Velocity-Based Training (VBT)
- Force-Velocity Profiling
Movement and Physical Assessment – Hitters move in all three planes of motion so their program and assessment should reflect that. Physical limitations and imbalances, from a strength and mobility standpoint, can have profound effects on a hitter’s timing as well as his ability to adjust to different incoming pitches.
Motion Capture Analysis – While not all swings are the same, close analysis reveals that there is one common denominator as to why do players hit the ball harder than others. Generating and transferring speed throughout the body requires a specific transfer of segmental peak angular velocities that allows hitters to transfer force more efficiently. This timing pattern is referred to as a “Kinematic Sequence” and as a part of the program, every hitters sequence will be evaluated and adjusted depending what is needed per individual hitter. This high-speed sequencing can only be viewed through motion capture sensors placed on the athlete’s body prior to the initial swing design/video analysis.
Video Analysis – Every hitter receives a complete bio-mechanical analysis of their swing. Upon a hitter’s assessment, we capture video and depict his swing in order to find deficiencies that will be corrected through coaching and specific hitting drills included in your personal hitting program. The combination of video, table assessment, and technology allows us to paint a clearer picture on how to prescribe the right program for you. The following are a few examples of what we look at in a video analysis:
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- Sway
- Hanging Back
- Loss of Posture
- Front Knee Angle
Individualized Hitting Program – Our customized hitting program is designed to develop the complete hitter from improving swing plane and mechanics to exit velocity. Through guided swings and extensive drill work, the program promotes the generation of force/precision to make optimal contact and drive the ball. This program incorporates both swing design along with timing mechanisms, with the end goal of giving the hitter a better chance to succeed at the plate. The following are examples of several Blast Motion metrics that we analyze when designing a program:
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- Attack Angle
- Rotational Acceleration
- Bat Speed
- Time to Contact
- Power
Kinematic Sequence Evaluation and Development – Not all hitting motions are created equal. Some guys rely more on strength, some guys elasticity and some are simply genetic “outliers”. But analysis in numerous studies has revealed that there is one common denominator on how athletes create maximum power behind the plate and that’s creating a proper sequence of events from the ground up all the way through at the point of contact. This is commonly referred to as an efficient “kinematic sequence” (click here for additional details).
Generating and transferring speed throughout the body requires a specific transfer of segmental peak angular velocities that allows players to transfer force more efficiently. It can be only viewed through motion capture sensors placed on the athlete’s body.
The chart above is an example of a typical baseball swing with a proper sequence from the pelvis, to the torso, to the shoulder to the hand. As each sequence builds on the prior, peak rotational speeds continue to build along the chain. An out-of-sequence hitting motion, and it happens much more often than expected, can lead to a variety of issues from opening too early to losing bat speed.
Incorporating assessments and data analytics into how we train players is a bit of an art. Since each and every player is different in every way, the key is to parse through the information and determine which pieces are relevant for each player.
Strength and Conditioning Program – Our strength program is 100% designed around the player and is highly specialized and customized for addressing strengths and imbalances. It is the cornerstone of our programming and it is designed to go hand-in-hand with hitting development.
The reality is that every player is different in every way and each needs a different approach to developing their strength and power. The use of velocity -based training with our more experienced athletes allows for the to interpretation of bar speeds to allow us to better pinpoint the correct load for each athlete based off of day-to-day fatigue (for more on VBT please click here).
Our programming takes players out of their comfort zone and trains them in all three planes of motion. The following provides a brief summary of our weekly training program:
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- Upper /Lower Body strength training
- Tri-planar core development
- Velocity-Based Training (when applicable)
- Movement (eccentric, concentric power development)
Recovery – Being that hitting is a repetitive rotational movement, along with it comes the possibility of overuse injuries. By expediting the recovery process immediately following a workout or hitting session you:
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- Reduce muscle fatigue or soreness
- Help maintain hitting bio-mechanics
- Enhance future performance
- Reduce the risk of injury
Active recovery is an integral part of our programming and EMS (Electronic Muscle Stimulation) was designed for just this.
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