We're excited to welcome Ben Hansen, the Vice President of Biomechanics and Innovation at Motus Global, to this week's podcast. In lieu of a sponsor this week, we've just got a final reminder that this week is the last chance to get the early bird discount on this year's fall seminar at CSP-MA. It takes place September 21-22; you can learn more HERE.
Show Outline
What led Ben to pursue a career in biomechanics and wearable technology
How Motus Global strives to impact the game of baseball and how their model for developing healthy arms has shifted over the years
What peer reviewed research says about the significance of joint torques and how we should interpret these metrics for predicting the risk of injury in baseball players
What acute and chronic workloads are, and how managing these variables can allow coaches to keep their athletes healthy and high performing
Why pitchers should have individualized throwing programs to account for the diverse variables that impact a player’s health
How truly different catch play, flat ground, bullpen, pre-game, and in-game throws are, and how coaches can more accurately account for the stress they impose on pitchers throughout a season
How rest should be incorporated into a baseball players year and why short breaks during a season of heavy throwing may be doing more harm than good for throwers
What ballplayers should consider when deciding between continuing to throw into the next season or shutting down to rest
What role mechanics plays in the health of a throwing arm and how common mechanical tendencies, like the Tommy John Twist and the Inverted W, influence arm stress
How fatigue is more predictive of injury than mechanics
Why building a durable work capacity is more important for staying healthy than mastering mechanics
How reliable using perceived effort is when creating and executing a throwing program
Why professionals need to rewrite the return to throwing program for common injuries in baseball
Where more research is needed to further understand how to manage baseball arms
If you like what you hear, we'd be thrilled if you'd consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving us an iTunes review. You can do so HERE.
And, we welcome your suggestions for future guests and questions. Just email elitebaseballpodcast@gmail.com.
Thank you for your continued support!
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I hope you had a great weekend. Before I get to the good stuff, just a friendly reminder that this Friday is the last day to get the early-bird discount on our fall seminar (9/21-9/22) at Cressey Sports Performance - MA. This 1.5 day event offers 10 CEU hours through the NSCA and features some awesome presentations. You can learn more HERE. Additionally, CSP co-founder Pete Dupuis and I have our business mentorship on Monday the 23rd, and we only have three spots remaining. Business mentorship attendees attend the fall seminar at no additional charge; you can grab one of the remaining spots HERE.
Now, on to the recommended reading and listening for the week:
Chris Chase on the Evolution of Basketball Strength and Conditioning - This is the second time Mike Robertson has had Chris Chase (Memphis Grizzlies) on his podcast, and given how excellent the first interview was, listening this time around was a no-brainer. It didn't disappoint.
Recency Bias and Long-Term Training Success - Given the volatility of the stock market in recent weeks, it seemed like a good time to reincarnate this article I wrote a few years ago. The concept of recency bias can be applied to your training programs just like it can be to investing.
Top Tweet of the Week
Some young players (& parents/coaches) are looking for magical mechanical fixes. Meanwhile, the problem is that they're lacking in physical competencies that enable them to get into positions they see MLB players achieve effortlessly. Training facilitates mechanical adjustments.
I first came across the "No Money" drill for scapular control and rotator cuff activation/strength back around 2008, and introduced it to a lot of people when I included it in my first book, Maximum Strength.
At the time, I was working heavily in the general population segment and hadn't gotten as entrenched in the baseball world as I am now. So, like a carpenter who only had a hammer, I started thinking everything was a nail - and logically applied the No Money Drill with all our baseball athletes.
The more time I spent around baseball players, though, the more I realized that the No Money Drill was actually feeding into the negative adaptations we saw in them: a loss of scapular upward rotation, lat stiffness, lumbar extension syndrome, etc. As a result, we've gotten away from the drill with most of our overhead athletes (depending on what we see in an evaluation). Check out this video to learn more:
If you're looking to learn more about how we assess, program, and coach at the shoulder girdle, be sure to check out my popular resource, Sturdy Shoulder Solutions.
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We're excited to welcome Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Soroka to the podcast. A special thanks to this show's sponsor, Lumberlend. Head to www.Lumberlend.com and enter the coupon code CRESSEY to get 10% off on your order as you customize a bat mug today.
Show Outline
How growing up playing baseball in Canada influenced Mike’s early career
How playing for the Canadian national team as a teenager allowed Mike to compete against the best and learn to fail forward at a young age
How Mike transformed from a lanky 6-2, 140-pound high school ball player to one of the youngest players in the big leagues
What has led Mike to his unique pitching delivery and what positions he prioritizes feeling throughout his throwing motion to remain consistent while still preserving his deception on the mound
How Mike differentiates his two-seam and four-seam fastball
How Mike learned to spin and manipulate the movement of a baseball by playing with a Wiffle Ball as a kid
What key skills and major adjustments helped Mike progress through the minors quickly
How learning to command the zone, specifically in different counts, has given Mike an edge in pro ball
How having a true grasp of reality and embracing a growth mindset have allowed Mike to shape his mentality to be a mature and successful young pitcher
Why making mental adjustments are just as influential as making mechanical adjustments when working to be consistently successful, and how learning to make adjustments on the fly have given Mike an advantage
How Mike’s curiosity for answers and appreciation for details have allowed him to master the intricacies of the game of baseball
How Mike structures his throwing and training programs on a 5-day rotation, and how he takes advantage of the high-low model to manage stress throughout the season
This episode is brought to you by Lumberlend Co. If you're looking for a unique gift for a baseball fan in your life, you'll definitely want to check this out: they've hollowed out the bat barrel and created a cool drinking mug. You can customize these with colors, names, logos, and photographs. They're also an officially licensed MLBPA product, so you can get your favorite teams and players incorporated into the designs. I've used these as gifts with great feedback, so I'm confident you'd experience the same. Just head to Lumberlend.com and enter the coupon code CRESSEY to get 10% off as you design yours today.
Podcast Feedback
If you like what you hear, we'd be thrilled if you'd consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving us an iTunes review. You can do so HERE.
And, we welcome your suggestions for future guests and questions. Just email elitebaseballpodcast@gmail.com.
Thank you for your continued support!
Sign-up Today for our FREE Baseball Newsletter and Receive Instant Access to a 47-minute Presentation from Eric Cressey on Individualizing the Management of Overhead Athletes!
I evaluated a baseball pitcher (left) and swimmer (right) back to back yesterday. It should serve as a reminder that not all overhead athletes are created equal - both in terms of the demands of their sports and the way they adapt to those demands.
The pitcher is a classic scapular depression example. Notice how “flat” the clavicle presentation is. He’s very lat dominant and struggles to get scapular elevation as part of upward rotation as the arms go overhead. He needs more upper trap activity.
Conversely, the swimmer is a scapular elevation presentation. Notice the significant upslope of the collarbone. He’s already so elevated that he struggles to get the rotational component of upward rotation. He needs more serratus anterior and lower trap, but less upper trap.
Three huge takeaways:
1. This is yet another reminder that you can’t just have a “rotator cuff program.” Both of these guys could present with the same pathology, but with completely different underlying movement diagnoses.
2. The same exercises might need to be coached differently for two different athletes
3. Whenever you see tightness, before you stretch it, ask why it’s there. With the pitcher in scapular depression, it’s a protective tension you don’t want to just stretch out. The swimmer could actually benefit.
We're excited to welcome the co-founder of Precision Nutrition, Dr. John Berardi to this week's podcast. In lieu of a sponsor this week, we've just got a reminder about this year's fall seminar and business building mentorship at CSP-MA. They'll take place September 21-23; you can learn more HERE.
Show Outline
How Berardi became the fitness influencer and successful businessman he is today
Where Precision Nutrition began, and how John has grown a massively successful company in the health industry
What the core values and mission of Precision Nutrition are
How John differentiates Precision Nutrition through the creation of digestible, interactive content and what John’s model is for mastering marketing and creating influential content consistently
How understanding the basics of nutrition and executing the simple things at the table are the common problems of all populations John works with
What John’s first step is when working with a new client looking to change their eating habits
How John works to define his client’s health goals and identify their dietary limiting factors in order to drive behavioral changes that will yield results
Why John strives to inspire autonomy in his clients by creating a simple nutritional plan built on small changes rather than creating a complicated, restrictive eating experience with rules and regulations
How parents can learn to speak more effectively with their children about food and what strategies they can implement to create an atmosphere of happy, healthy eating
How John approaches educating his athletic populations about nutrition
How John deals with athletes who want to make drastic changes to their eating habits and experiment with a new type of eating (i.e. keto, gluten-free, vegan, etc.)
How John would update his “7 Habits of Highly Effective Nutrition Programs” if he were to rewrite them today
How individuals can fine tune their eating environment and become more attuned with their hunger and appetite
How John’s new book, can help health and fitness industry professionals learn more about business, building a reputation, and orienting a career
Here's where you can find John and Precision Nutrition on the web:
If you like what you hear, we'd be thrilled if you'd consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving us an iTunes review. You can do so HERE.
And, we welcome your suggestions for future guests and questions. Just email elitebaseballpodcast@gmail.com.
Thank you for your continued support!
Sign-up Today for our FREE Baseball Newsletter and Receive Instant Access to a 47-minute Presentation from Eric Cressey on Individualizing the Management of Overhead Athletes!
Today, I've got a list of recommended reading to get you through the week. Before we get to it, though, just a quick heads-up that we're doing a pre-sale on Cressey Sports Performance bucket hats. If you're interested in buying one, you can do so at THIS LINK. They'll be available for shipment in early-mid September.
As for the reading recommendations, check out the following:
Is It Really "Biceps Tendonitis?" - In light of a recent Instagram post I made on a related topic, this video blog deserves a reincarnation this week.
Professional and Amateur Pitchers' Perspective on the Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury Risk - This was an interesting study on a number of fronts. It was surprising to see how many pro guys think UCL injuries are unavoidable, but not at all surprising to hear that 55% of those who have UCL injuries in pro ball had a previous history of elbow injury in their youth baseball days. The biggest risk factor for an injury is...shocker...a previous injury.
Top Tweet of the Week
We’ll sometimes have parents email to ask us to put their 9-year-olds on a program like we would use with our pro athletes. I wish they’d instead ask what these pro athletes typically did when they were 9: play multiple sports and goof around with their friends.
We're excited to welcome Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Alex Wood to this week's podcast. A special thanks to this show's sponsor, Athletic Greens. Head to http://www.athleticgreens.com/cressey and you'll receive a free 20-pack of Athletic Greens travel packets with your first order.
Show Outline
How undergoing Tommy John surgery his senior year of high school impacted Alex’s progression as a ballplayer
How arriving to the University of Georgia with an elbow injury his freshman year was a blessing in disguise
How Alex was game ready 10 months post Tommy John but why he instead chose to redshirt his freshman season and wait to return to playing until summer ball
How Alex has mastered his unorthodox pitching delivery through the course of his career
What positions Alex strives to hit consistently in his throwing motion
How Alex fast tracked through the minor leagues and what lessons Alex learned quickly as a young big leaguer
How MLB veterans like Brian McCann and Mike Minor aided in his transition into a MLB starter
What changes Alex made to his pitching approach to have a breakout season with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017
How Alex succeeded with only a fastball and change-up all the way up to the big leagues and why he chose to add a spike breaking ball into his arsenal upon make it to “the show”
How Alex manages his in season and off season throwing regimes
What Alex does pitch-by-pitch, in-game to control the flow of the game
How pitchers can build rapport and better manage the minute details of an outing with their catcher
What coaching qualities Alex sees as most impactful, and how players should utilize great coaches to take accountability of their own career and develop into their own best coach
You can follow Alex on Twitter at @AWood45 and on Instagram at @AWood45.
Sponsor Reminder
This episode is brought to you by Athletic Greens. It’s an all-in-one superfood supplement with 75 whole-food sourced ingredients designed to support your body’s nutrition needs across 5 critical areas of health: 1) energy, 2) immunity, 3) gut health, 4) hormonal support, and 5) healthy aging. Head to www.AthleticGreens.com/cressey and claim my special offer today - 20 FREE travel packs (valued at $79) - with your first purchase. I use this product daily myself and highly recommend it to our athletes as well. I'd encourage you to give it a shot, too - especially with this great offer.
Podcast Feedback
If you like what you hear, we'd be thrilled if you'd consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving us an iTunes review. You can do so HERE.
And, we welcome your suggestions for future guests and questions. Just email elitebaseballpodcast@gmail.com.
Thank you for your continued support!
Sign-up Today for our FREE Baseball Newsletter and Receive Instant Access to a 47-minute Presentation from Eric Cressey on Individualizing the Management of Overhead Athletes!
Here's a little recommended reading/listening to take you into the weekend:
Naval Ravikant Podcast Compilation - I mentioned this in a blog earlier this week, so it warranted reiteration: this is the best podcast I've ever listened to, and it's not even close. The title is "How to Get Rich," but I look at it far more from a career planning standpoint than truly just accumulating money. He shares some outstanding insights on wealth vs. status. Listen to this with a notebook ready; you'll have a ton of one-liners to write down.
EC on the School of Calisthenics Podcast - Here's another podcast that I hopped on a few weeks ago. We talked a lot about shoulder function, particularly as it relates to bodyweight training.
I'm flying solo for this week's podcast, as I wanted to tackle a controversial topic in the world of baseball development: distance running. Before we get to it, though, a special thanks to this show's sponsor, Athletic Greens. Head to http://www.athleticgreens.com/cressey and you'll receive a free 20-pack of Athletic Greens travel packets with your first order.
Show Outline
Why “traditionalism” is so rooted in baseball, leading to distance running becoming commonplace
How athletic performance is a multifactorial equation and coaches should avoid pinpointing success to one specific methodology and being married to the n=1 training approach
Why skill coaches need to appreciate the dynamic nature of exercise science and understand that what we know about training athletes is remarkably different from decades prior
How the athletes playing baseball have grown to be bigger and heavier over the decades and what the implications are for using outdated training practices with this new breed of baseball players
How physiological adaptations are incredibly specific
Why coaches need to better understand the energy system demands of baseball and employ methodologies that build an aerobic base rather than thrash their athletes and end up training the players anaerobically
Why clearing lactic acid is a poor excuse for using distance running and what the real reasons are for feeling fresh after long distance, low intensity running
Why building an aerobic base is necessary for athletic performance and vital for acute and chronic recovery
How training an aerobic base requires a much lower intensity than most athletes and coaches think
Why using a low amplitude, low variability movement, like distance running, is insufficient for training a high amplitude, low variability movement, like pitching
How coaches can implement more practical methods, such as mobility circuits, to drive adaptations, preserve strength and power qualities, and optimize recovery
When the ideal time is to target the aerobic system – and how these benefits can best be preserved throughout a season
This episode is brought to you by Athletic Greens. It’s an all-in-one superfood supplement with 75 whole-food sourced ingredients designed to support your body’s nutrition needs across 5 critical areas of health: 1) energy, 2) immunity, 3) gut health, 4) hormonal support, and 5) healthy aging. Head to www.AthleticGreens.com/cressey and claim my special offer today - 20 FREE travel packs (valued at $79) - with your first purchase. I use this product daily myself and highly recommend it to our athletes as well. I'd encourage you to give it a shot, too - especially with this great offer.
Podcast Feedback
If you like what you hear, we'd be thrilled if you'd consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving us an iTunes review. You can do so HERE.
And, we welcome your suggestions for future guests and questions. Just email elitebaseballpodcast@gmail.com.
Thank you for your continued support!
Sign-up Today for our FREE Baseball Newsletter and Receive Instant Access to a 47-minute Presentation from Eric Cressey on Individualizing the Management of Overhead Athletes!
