Last Day for 2008 - Bootcamp

Hey - just a quick reminder. Today is the LAST DAY you can pick up the Home Study version of the Fastpitch Insider Bootcamp for 2008. Yes, I'll have it available in 2009 also, but you'll save yourself some money if you pick it up today.

If you haven't picked up your Bootcamp Home Study package yet, CLICK HERE.

Have no clue what I'm talking about?

Get the details HERE before it's too late.

Training Checklist - Be in Top Softball Shape for 2009

Ah, yes, this is cool stuff. I've been focusing on getting coaches ready for the upcoming season with the bootcamp, but of course, players can do lots to get ready too!

Here's a great article from Dan Huff at Baseball Strength:


To help you get your pre-season training set up properly, I've developed the following checklist(s) to make sure that you have all of the necessary components in your program.


Here is your checklist for the rest of the off-season.

• 3 Full Body Strength workouts/week
• 2 speed training sessions/week
• Daily Stretching and Mobility work

It's really that simple!


Well, maybe we need to go into a bit more detail.


3 Full Body Strength Training Workouts must include:

All Free Weight Training

Lower Body Leg Dominant Movements (Ex. Squats)

• Double Leg
• Single Leg

Lower Body Hip Dominant Movements (Ex. Straight Leg Deadlifts)

• Double Leg
• Single Leg

Upper Body Pressing Movements (always use neutral grip)

• Chest Press
• Shoulder Press

Upper Body Pulling Movements (2x as must as the pressing)

• Horizontal pulling (ex. Rowing)
• Vertical puling (ex. Pull-ups)

Core Training

• Rotation
• Anti-Rotation
• Flexion
• Extension

2 Speed Training Days must include:

Acceleration Training

• Work on technique of the first 3 steps
• Solid forward lean
• Drive the knees up and forward
• Keep the toes under the knees
• Strong piston action on lower leg (no cycle action)

Multi-Direction Training

• Lateral shuffles
• Crossover running
• Deceleration
• Stop-and-go change of directions
• Positive shin angles

Daily Stretching and Mobility Work must include:

Muscle Density Work

• Foam Roll
• Tennis Ball
• The Stick

Static Stretching

• Every Body Part
• Do the easy stretches once
• Do the difficult stretches two or three times

Active Mobility

• Move every body part through its full range of motion

Remember that not every workout needs to include every component of strength and speed, but every component must be included at least once each week.

Not sure what all those things are? I'm sure you've got questions on the checklist so be sure to let us know what we can clear up for you in our discussion forum!

$1 Webinar and Important College Information

The webinar with important college recruiting information is now ready for you. AND, in the spirit of the holiday season, I'm giving it to you for the super low price of $1. No joke, no strings - just $1.
http://www.allaboutfastpitch.com/1dollarwebinar.html


Check it out, then come back here and let me know what you think.

http://www.allaboutfastpitch.com/1dollarwebinar.html

See you there!

What Do I Get in the Home Study

I've been getting a few questions about the home study:

What do I get?

How is it different from the regular bootcamp?

How much does it cost?

I'll save the first question for last because it has the longest answer.

First: How is the home study bootcamp different from the regular bootcamp?

The home study is in a fully downloadable format. You get ONE long report with all the "regular bootcamp" content in it. Then you also get all the printables, handouts, and audios that are in the "regular bootcamp." It's different because you can get everything all at once and the material is not broken down week by week for you so you can really go at your own pace. Also, you don't have any of the discussion or live even options that the regular bootcampers do. But you're also getting the Home Study Package for a discounted price which brings me to the next question.

Second: How much does it cost?

Right now the bootcamp is being offered at a Special 2008 New Release price. This price will ONLY be good this year and I'm seriously thinking about taking the whole thing down by Tuesday December 23rd so that we can all have time to concentrate on spending the holidays with our families. No more buying bootcamps online after the 23rd because then you'll have the whole day Christmas Eve and beyond to focus on your family and on the holiday season. During this short time, the bootcamp homestudy is being offered at $27 which is 46% off the original Fastpitch Insider Bootcamp price. When 2009 rolls around and the holidays are over, this homestudy will be priced at $35 (which is still a 30% discount from the original bootcamp price). But take action now and save yourself some money - get the homestudy package for just $27 instead of $35. Plus you'll get a head start on prepping for the 2009 season!

Last, but not least: What do I get?
Here's a sample taken from the sign up page...

Table of Contents Sample

Take a look at a few of the topics in this 47-page home study:

• What does it take?
• Preparation and Success
• Coaching Logistics
• The Decision to Coach
• Key Ingredient to Your Coaching Philosophy
• Vision Basics
• Developing Your Vision
• Time Management Tips for Coaches
• Why Multi-Tasking is Bad
• 21 Ways to Relieve Stress

Plus get:

• Sample Parent Meeting Letter
• Equipment List
• Bucket Essentials
• Tryout Handout
• Tryout Matrix and Rubric
  
• Worksheets to help you apply the concepts covered in the report

AND of course, Conversations with the Experts:

• Tryout Audio with Marc Dagenais
• Pre-Game Mistakes Conversation with Dr. Patrick Cohn
• Coaching the Mental Game with Dr. Tom Hanson
• Pitching Conversation with Bill Hillhouse

Slide Boards for Front Foot Hitting Problem

One question I get asked a lot is about younger players and their front side when hitting. Many of them either bail or they do not have a strong front side. Often times their weight ends up over their front foot which is not where it should be.

So how do you help correct this issue?

Well, I just came across a tip from Dan Huff of Baseball Strength that addresses this issue. He actually suggested utilizing slide boards to help with hitting balance issues. Read what Dan had to say in this article.

image source: flickr http://flickr.com/photos/borderhopper/2394270647/

Are You Prepared for 2009?

Have you ever had that season? You know the one where you're just so overwhelmed that coaching is more stress than fun? Even though the season doesn't really start until next year, I'm already thinking about, planning, and getting ready for the upcoming season. Of course, the holidays are upon us and I'm sure you're just as busy as I am. In fact, our team isn't even allowed to handle the ball yet, but I know there are a lot of things I could prepare for prior to being given the okay to hit the field. I believe that preparation plays a big part in your level of success. The more you have taken care of prior to the season starting, the less you'll have to deal with in-season.

While it's true that you can still be successful even without thorough preparation, I don't think that's the "ideal" scenario. You have enough to deal with during the season without having to deal with a bunch of odds and end issues that could have been taken care of prior to the season even starting. You'll probably never think of everything, but if you begin preparing early and start laying out the groundwork for your season, you're season will go more smoothly than if you don't. After all, you'll be able to readily address the unexpected issues and challenges that pop up during the season because you're not busy still trying to take care of things that could have been done before the season started. All that is taken care of, so now you have the means by which to deal with the new "fires" that come up.

If your season begins in the spring like mine, now is a great time to begin thinking about 2009. I know it's a busy time of year with Christmas right around the corner (I really love this time of year), but if you don't have time now, I'm pretty sure you won't have time once the season rolls around. You know how hectic your schedule gets during the first few months of the year. I understand that your "softball brain" may not be firing on all cylinders right now if you're not in season, BUT I've been doing a lot of brainstorming and thinking about '09...AND I'm willing to share my preparation plans with you! Everything will be included in the Bootcamp Home Study package I'm getting ready to release tomorrow.

The coaches in our Fastpitch Insider Bootcamp are already taking the steps necessary to have more success and less stress in 2009. Tomorrow, you'll have an opportunity to do the same with the Home Study version of the 2008 Bootcamp! For now, go ahead and check out my free Pre-Season Paving report if you haven't already picked up your copy.

Want to learn a little more about the Bootcamp Home Study course and find out how to make sure you can grab it at 2008 New Release Special Pricing? Click HERE

Fastpitch Shopping Alert

Wow! I just caught wind of some MAJOR sales going on at Baseball Savings including Up To 75% Off Mizuno Footwear. Even though the name of the online store is Baseball Savings they do also have some great deals on fastpitch Softball Stuff too!

I don't know about you, but 75% off is the kind of deal I love to see, especially during this time of year when you have to buy so many presents for so many people. If you still have some fastpitch lovers on your list, this is a sale you won't want to miss out on. When was the last time you saw deals like these?

• 60% Off Nike Youth Uniform Belts - Now Only $3.88
• Save Up To 70% On DeMARINI Gear
• Save Up To 70% On Wilson Catcher's Equipment
• Save Up To 75% On Bats
• Save Over 50% On Nike Footwear
• Save Up To 80% On Worth Catcher's Gear
• Discount Dugout - Save Up To 80%
• Plus take advantage of the Final Clearance - At Cost Or Below

Just the thought of those great deals makes me want to up and grab them before the sale ends. Best of all, you can shop from the comfort of your own home and don't even need to step out into that nasty weather, wait in crazy lines, or fight to find parking at the mall. Get some great gifts, pick up some cool Softball Gear, and maybe even something for yourself? Either way, have fun shopping and enjoy your weekend!

Bootcamp Lite Progress

For those of you waiting on the downloadable version of the Fastpitch Insider Bootcamp, it's well on it's way to being finished. I pounded out 35 pages so far and that doesn't even include some of the handouts and printables that are also included in the course. I have a few finishing touches I need to take care of, plus I need to make sure I have the page where you can get all the downloads ready.

If you want to know as soon as it's ready to go, please make sure you put your name at e-mail address in the form at this post and I will keep you updated!

For those of you who sign up to be notified, I will offer the bootcamp to you at a special discounted 2008 rate. Once 2009 comes around and the season is seriously right around the corner, the special will be over and the downloadable bootcamp will only be available at "regular" price. Start early, make sure you're on the list to get notified as soon as the bootcamp is ready so you can save money. Click here to put your name on the notification list.

Remember, in this coaches bootcamp, you'll:

• Reduce your in-season coaching stress by making sure you've taken care of all the little logistical and "administrative" issues you can before the season even gets rolling

• Find out how to effectively run tryouts and evaluate players to you can build the best team possible

• Develop a solid coaching philosophy that will guide you through the toughest coaching decisions you face and set the right tone for the year

• Create a vision your team can believe in for a more successful season

• Find out how to avoid a common strategic mistake many coaches make in the pre-season

• Learn how to more effectively manage your time to get the most out of your day and out of your practices

• Get well prepared for that all important parent meeting so that you can nip potential problems in the bud and have less stress during the season

• Find out what common pre-game mistakes your players may make that could hurt their performance

• Learn why multitasking is bad for you and your players
  

• Get great tips on coaching the mental game so you can start planning how to help your players with this important aspect of the game

• Hear why you shouldn't try be all and know all as a coach

• Find out how to give your players more even when you know less

• See what drills, guidelines, and tips other coaches are using to run effective tryouts

• Learn why it's okay if you have coaching weaknesses and why it may actually help your team
  

• Find out what #1 tool Tom Hanson uses to help players is

• Learn how to lower your stress level so you can be a more calm, confident, and effective coach
• and more!

Click here to enter your name and e-mail address an ensure you get access to this course at 2008 pricing.

Tips for Running Quality Tournament

As promised, here is the recorded call I did with Elliott of Triple Crown Sports. If you're thinking of running a tournament or are already involved with organizing and planning one, this audio is a must hear.

P.S. - Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know what part of this call you liked most OR add your tournament tips!

What's Fastpitch Haven?

It's a new fun resource for coaches.

Too Much Sidearm!

Why a sidearm throw should NOT be your routine, every play throw.

Organizing and Planning Tournaments

I just got off the phone with Elliott at Triple Crown Sports and we talked about organizing and planning tournaments as well as how to better monetize them. When I have the call uploaded to the internet and ready for you to listen to will post it here on the blog.

I will also post a printable at Fastpitch Haven as well as start a discussion area for coaches who may have additional questions about planning a tournament. Elliott has agreed to answer additional questions for Fastpitch Haven coaches in the discussion area there.

If you don't know anything about Fastpitch Haven, stay tuned here because I'm putting together a short video to tell you more about it.

Cyber Monday Announcement

I realize it isn't Cyber Monday anymore, but a few technical issues hindered me from telling you about this yesterday. I'm going to keep this short and sweet because this is one of the birthday weeks on our family (2 people celebrating this week). Bascially, I'm just here to let you know about THIS.