Posts Tagged ‘illinois baseball training’
October 1, 2011 | 
Author Having nothing to train for makes for difficulty in getting motivated. I’ve set goals for myself in some big lifts this offseason, and I decided to rub these goals in my friend, and trainer, Andrew’s face. We compete in tests of ability and strength when we are together, and I texted him last week to ensure he knew how much better I am soon going to be. Here’s how the conversation went:
Dan: Just a warning – I’m gonna be squatting 450, deadlifting 500 and jumping 33 inches by Christmas. Be prepared to be physically dominated via YouTube.
Andrew: By Christmas? That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard you say
Well, the competition is on, though with a catch – we will be competing only in the vertical and broad jump. The reason I am posting this is because both of us are going to provide you with our methods of reaching these goals and thusly humiliating the other. Both trainers, we are going to employ all of our tricks to get the big weight moving. I’ve squatted 390 (ass-to-grass, of course) as a 1RM in college, deadlifted 425 two years ago, and jumped 28 inches at my best in college. Never have I trained specifically to increase those numbers, but that’s just where my personal records stand. Andrew is, as we always have been, basically the same. He has historically jumped one inch higher, squatted about the same and deadlifted a little less than I. He’s a hair better in jumping, I’m a hair better deadlifting, and we’re about even in the squat. We’re a good matchup to see who can gain the most advantage on the other by way of a specific training plan, of which you’re going to get a peek… Read the rest of this entry »
Competition is good both on the field and in the weight room. Every once in a while I like to mix things up, stray from the program and give myself and my athletes something new, something that can test their mental and physical limits. One of these workouts that is off the beaten path is called “The Spanish Blizzard.” It’s also hard as shit. Read the rest of this entry »
I talked with a father the other day and explained to him exactly what it would take for his son, or any hypothetical high school pitcher, to earn a college roster spot.
When I was in high school I remembered being extremely confused about what it took to get scouts at games. Our star pitcher was big, left-handed and threw harder than I did, but barely anyone came to watch him, either. I just felt like there was something that I didn’t understand that it took to get to the next level – something intangible, something that I didn’t have in me.
But it’s not like that. Upon getting into my college program, my coach started to break down for me what it took for high schoolers to impress him at showcases, and for our players to earn playing time. Further, he explained what pro scouts looked for. My summer ball coaches, both of whom played professionally, shed more light on the issue, and the more and more I watched other players, I started to understand. Read the rest of this entry »