February 2010
6 posts
2 tags
The Two Occupants of Your Brain
Everyone who plays sports deals with unwanted and uninvited conversations in their brain from time to time. If you’re looking for how to control your thoughts, this article explains the situation in a light manner.
The Two Occupants of Your Brain
Crawford Video Problem
I just got word that the links to the Crawford video I sent out yesterday have changed. Stinking ESPN… If you find a link to the Carl Crawford video by ESPN Access I would be appreciative if you would send the link my way.
Sorry.
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Do You Train Like Carl Crawford?
When I mention the name, Carl Crawford, what comes to mind? I got this video forwarded to me today and thought I’d add some more thoughts on Crawford’s training. Great video, I always like seeing the behind the scene stuff.
Carl Crawford Video - 1
Carl Crawford Video - 2
Article in response to videos
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Why You Need to Use Video for your Hitting...
If you’re not using some sort of digital video recording device to analyze your hitting mechanics, it’s time to jump in the game. A couple years ago I picked up a Flip brand video camera from Amazon in order to capture hitters on video in an effective way. I chose a small digital video camera from Flip for a couple reasons:
Click Here for the remainder of the article.
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Your Work Habit Will Become Addictive →
Either you are a hard worker or you’re not. Whichever it is, your habits will become addictive. If you know someone who is looking to boost their awareness of baseball psychology, send them to this article. The link to it is in the title.
Jeter's Baseball Psychology
I’m not a Yankees fan. There, I said it. I know that half of you are now finished reading this article, and I’m ok with that. I guess I should explain my opening sentence a bit more thoroughly. While I’m not a Yankess fan, I AM a fan of good, solid baseball. I consider good solid baseball players those who have a...
Is Hitting Mechanics Your Only Ticket To Success? ...
The great Ted Williams once said, “A good hitter can hit a pitch that is over the plate three times better than a great hitter with a questionable ball in a tough spot.” In his book, The Science of Hitting, he makes it clear that being a selective hitter made him the .344 lifetime hitter he was. When reading his book,...
January 2010
3 posts
5 tags
WatchHow to Select Your Hitting Zone:
I was reading Ted Williams book, The Science of Hitting, and ran into an explanation that is worth a share. He talks about how 50% of your success as a hitter is based on what goes on from the neck up.
One of the best mental baseball concepts I’ve learned is to create a hitting zone that is unique to you. Williams says, “A good hitter can hit a...
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WatchIt only takes a week to lose some skill work you’ve done on your swing mechanics. How is 2010 going to be different as far as your training is concerned? Do you really want to play at the collegiate level or above?
A game I played with myself when I didn’t feel like putting in the time was to tell myself that someone somewhere who wants my future spot in the lineup is working on...
December 2009
1 post
2 tags
WatchIf you have dreams of playing baseball past the high school level, this video is for you. Work hard while you have the chance, you never know when it will be over.
November 2009
15 posts
2 tags
WatchOne of the best ways to increase your bat speed as a hitter is to get your bat into and through the hitting zone in the most efficient way possible.
In the above video I explain what many hitters who have poor technique do - create bat drag. This simply slows your bat speed and makes it quite difficult to cover the inside and outside corners.
I will also demonstrate how to create bat lag which...
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WatchUsing video in your training will make all the difference in the world towards understanding your hitting mechanics. This video will explain more.
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Tim Lincecum - Preparation
Cy Young award winner two years in a row for Tim Lincecum. The dude has worked quite hard on developing his small body into a human canon. Below is an article in Sports Illustrated that discusses that work habit.
While this doesn’t apply to hitting, the point I want you to grab is that preparation is the best thing you can do to increase your value as an athlete.
Oh ya, ignore the part...
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WatchAfter I finish a hitting mechanics session with an athlete I will give him some homework. Building muscle memory is vital to skill development. Consistent dry drills (simulated movements without a bat or ball) are valuable for building muscle memory between session. It also creates a sense of work habit. Here are some lower half dry drills to work on if you are working on torque.
WatchDo you have problems with your mind wandering when you are hitting? Do you frequently deal with doubt because of past poor at bats? I think you’ll gain some valuable insight into what Big League hitters do to combat this by watching this video. The mental game of baseball is so valuable, don’t overlook its impact on your game.
Here is an article that deals with the concept of...
Be Like Joe - Work on Extension
Check out this clip during the 2009 ALCS of Joe Mauer. Rarely do you see extension like this through the zone on a consistent basis as he does. Amazing!
Mauer Video Clip
“Baseball is a red-blooded sport for red-blooded men. It’s no pink tea, and...”
– Ty Cobb
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WatchShaking off bad at bats as a hitter is tough to do. Many times I watch guys drag around a bad performance up at the plate for an entire game. Being able to drop these poor at bats mentally and move on is one of the ingredients of great athletes. Just look at Ryan Howard’s performance in the World Series this year. Nearly a dozen strikeouts, then he pulls out a home run late in the game...
WatchWhen working on your extension with your hands, it’s ok to take your lower half away from the focus. I use this hitting mechanics drill when I work with athletes who suffer from the following symptoms: 1. Getting jammed on inside pitches 2. Pulling off outside pitches 3. Not hitting balls with backspin in the gap
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Kaizen - "Constant Daily Learning"
Yesterday I was grabbing a Starbucks at a Barnes & Noble in Seattle and picked up the book Mind Gym by Gary Mack. If you’re looking for an easy to understand and highly applicable book on the mental game of baseball, you got to read this one.
Here is the link on Amazon.
He writes about how he spent time working with Japanese players on the mental side of baseball. The term Kaizen in...
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WatchWorked with a couple athletes tonight on keeping the hands through the zone for a long time. Here is a demo on how to set yourself up for this drill. When to use this drill: 1. If you are struggling to hit the inside or outside corners 2. If you are experiencing a shortage of power 3. If you hit a lot of top spin line drives
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More Detail on Bat Speed/Torque
The last few posts I’ve provided some videos that illustrate what hitters refer to as torque. Simply put this is how you create massive bat speed. I was reviewing some highlights of game 5 of the World Series last night and I came across Raul Ibanez’ 425 foot blast. He creates some unreal torque with this swing. Check it out here.
How can you tell there is torque in a swing?
Look...
Chase Utley HR, Game 5 →
Take a look at how Utley creates torque by keeping his hands back while his hips open. You will see it better in the slo-mo replay at the end of the clip. Great swing!
As I was watching Game 4 of the World Series last...
WatchGood drill for helping get your hips going before your hands. I use it a ton with hitters to improve torque. There are some more mechanics clips at www.bmibaseball.com as well.
October 2009
6 posts
“Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out...”
– Ted Williams
Thoughts on Cliff Lee’s mental approach
Listen
One Reason Why Cliff Lee Crushes Opponents
Check out what Joe Torre has to say about one part of why Cliff Lee tears opponents apart.
Watch the short clip here
Your Mental Vitamins
It’s time for you to get serious about understanding this mental game deal. In the upcoming months, this blog will be the single best resource for you to find your mental steroid fix for the day. Having played baseball at all levels, I’m absolutely convinced that you need both the physical and mental part of the game totally under control if you want to kick some butt in this great...
“Bigger Mind. Better Game.”
