Fitness Testing and Training
Topic – Fitness Testing and Training
Proper fitness is a very important aspect of the game and a player’s development. Below are suggestions on things your players should be doing to improve their overall fitness level.
Players should:
1. Take standardized physical fitness tests several times a year to compare results and analyze progress.
2. Take baseball-specific tests several times per year to compare results and analyze progress.
3. Understand the importance of knowing how to properly warm-up and stretch prior to and cool-down and stretch after every practice and competition, and do it.
4. Understand what each fitness test and baseball-specific test measures and how their results compare with other players of the same age group and playing ability.
5. Set realistic yet challenging goals for improvement in weak areas.
6. Recognize the significance of aerobic and anaerobic conditioning and include this training in their periodization schedule.
7. Understand the importance of foot skills and movement in baseball and be able to use on- and off-field drills to improve movement.
8. Recognize the importance of flexibility training and include it in daily training regimen.
9. Recognize the importance of strength training and include it in daily training regimen.
10. Recognize the importance of speed training and include it in daily training regimen.
11. Be able to apply the principles of periodization when designing a fitness training regimen.