Resistance Training for Bat Speed
Since I have pretty much directed most of my work to MLB analysis, I thought it would be good to get back to a bit of the training side of things.
This is a recent article on resistance training for bat speed written by Dr. David Szymanski, who is one of my professors here at Louisiana Tech.
For you high school coaches out there, this may be a good guide especially for players who are not experienced with weight training. This protocol was used in a few previous studies by Dr. Szymanski and I experienced it myself this past fall in a study we did (which is not published yet, but referenced in this article). Also, if you have limited facilities, this is a basic way to help young players get stronger.
This is an overview, but you’re going to want to read the whole article:
The article explains general, special and specific conditioning and also explains possible differences in training high school and college players.
I’ve got to throw this in here too, because it was pretty cool to see:
These are references to the studies we have done so far, which have been a great experience. Maybe someday I’ll have my own publication? We’ll see…
Great article. Can you give us a description of the special exercises.
Bob-
I’ll try to get some images, but just think medicine ball exercises and rotational exericises. Or even work with a heavy bat outside the range you’d use for over/underload.
Thanks Jeff, keep up the good work. I always enjoy reading your articles.
Purchased a VertiMax 6+ and have started a swing/pitching program on it. It has helped all my players with first step and overall speed. Hope it will work as good on the hitting/pitching program.
that is interesting, Kurt. I’ve seen something similar at a pro facility I’ve been at, but I don’t think they measured results at all (kind of defeats the purpose). As long as you can do some kind of rotational pattern, you may be on to something. I’d definitely like to hear how it goes. Best of luck.
As someone said if you want to improve something, measure it. On that thought if I could pick your brain a little. What kind of method would you use to measure a rotation pattern ? Would you use video, such as Don Slaughts at 60 frames a second using markers on the lead hip and front shoulder? See if in time that would improve pivioting around the front hip. I know the VertiMax works great on speed, quickness which is a little easier to monitor. Any ideas would be great. I think your site has great information on it and your links.
yes, measurment is huge. stay on the right track there. I would like to gather as much more information on measurement and feedback as I can before I am finished with school. Great topic.
The problem with measuring something like rotation on a 2-D program like RVP is that rotation happens in 3-D. If you are training for rotational power, my first (easiest) suggestion would be to try to incorpoate the feedback you are already using…
for example, throw medicine balls for distance, try to measure the speed, or try to get as many contacts/reps in a given period of time.
Thanks for the reply back. Yes that is a simple but affctive way to see results. I have been in contact and have used a 3-D software system which uses 4-12 sensors on the student. It gives a snap line of what the body is doing in any type of movement. I am at a stand till if I should purchase the system. It could be used in all application of the body movement. It gives a detail report using graphs , which are user friendly. Also it gives a suggested workout for you to use. I feel it is next step to take on understanding what the body is really doing in real time. Frame count is around 250 fps. Have you used anything like this in the past? How do you feel about this type of application in sports? Do you think the general public would understand its value? I have a good feeling that the baseball world would be afraid/ not understanding what it could do for them and their players. But I know some would look at it as a great learning tool.
The only thing I’ve seen that might be close to what you are describing is what Zig Ziegler is doing at Motion DNA. Is this the system you’re talking about? I don’t know too much about it but he stopped through here to gather some data when we were testing HS players. If it (what you’re decribing)really works as described, that would take out quite a bit of guesswork from the instruction process. Just need a competent person to translate the results for the player?
Yes it was Motion DNa but has changed name. I went to a 3 day seminar in Colorado Springs on the software. Just trying to decide if I want to buy one ?
Well the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) has their headquarters there in Colorado Springs and Motion DNA has been an NSCA sponsor. If I remember correctly they are working together at the facility, so maybe more will be coming out on this in the near future.
I didn’t know that they had units for sale.
Yes, that is where I attended the seminar at the NSCA. Zig Ziegler who was Motion DNA left the company. It is under a new name but has the same software designer. I just had a meeting with them last week, talking to them about buying a unit. My biggest concern is how the public would look at this. It is a very unqiue tool for sport movment and understanding what your body is doing at that moment. No more seeing what you want to see, but giving you the best feedback avaiable today.
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