Showing posts with label exercise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label exercise. Show all posts

Tuesday, 24 November 2020

Seven exercises baseball players swear by

 

Countries are either extending lockdown periods or restricting residents from leaving their homes once more due to the present threat of COVID-19. While many gyms have reopened, some athletes still prefer to train privately. The global health crisis has proven to be an extended off season for many sports, making at-home workouts an integral part of training. John F. Eilermann Jr. 

 

Image source: startribune.com


Backward lunge with a twist improves strength and stability while increasing a player’s range of motion. Rotational strength is huge in baseball and this exercise helps reduce lower back injury while enhancing the hip flexors. Leg cradles open up the hips and glutes. These muscles are incredibly important in fielding, batting, and throwing. Using a foam roller or physio ball do the reach, roll, and lift exercise to stretch the shoulders and upper back. Baseball players are prone to upper back and shoulder injuries, which makes this exercise a key technique to master. John F. Eilermann Jr. 



Image source: greatest.com

A popular and easy-to-do bodyweight exercise, split squats improve stability and strengthens the leg and hip muscles. Goblet squats boost lower body strength and improves power delivery. Weighted Bulgarian squats develops power from the core and legs, strengthening the lower body and the abdominal muscles. John F. Eilermann Jr.

Medicine ball rotational throws builds a baseball player’s capacity to keep and release power from the hips, a movement critical when throwing a ball or swinging a bat. Athletes need to remember that form is crucial to effective training. Form and technique can only improve through correct practice and proper coaching. John F. Eilermann Jr.

Tuesday, 11 December 2018

Soccer training: The weak foot

Image source: teachpe.com
Having a weak foot in soccer is perfectly normal. Even the greatest players in the world have a weak foot which of course, over time they’ve trained to make it stronger. And so should you. Here are a few pro tips on increasing the proficiency of your weak foot.


Juggle with the weak foot as often as you can.

Juggling is a great way to increase your control over the ball, and it’s as dazzling to see as it is to do. As such, having your weak foot get used to juggling will make it more adept in overall control when it comes to kicking.


Practice trapping and catching with the weak foot.

Trapping is such an underrated skill for soccer players. Toss the ball up and kill the bounce as soon as it lands with your weak foot. Another way of killing the bounce is catching the ball with your weak foot. Alternate between trapping and catching to increase the weak foot’s control.

Image source: myactivesg.com

Dribble with the weak foot.

Try running at different speeds, but instead of dribbling the ball forward using both feet, use only your weak foot. This is another great drill for control.


Practice free kicks using the weak foot.

This drill improves control and increases power of the weak foot. Experiment with your shots as though you were using your strong foot. Watch your form as you do this drill.


Hello, I’m John Eilermann, a World War 2 and soccer enthusiast. Follow me on Twitter for more updates.