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Editor's Notes

• #2: Welcome to the Sports Performance Konsultants Partnership, where leading edge training strategies help clients meet their personal goals.
• #3: Our instructors include:Performance Coaches areWe have an Athletic Advisory Board whose membership include Boston sports luminaries: Terry Francona formerly with the Boston RedSox; Doc Rivers, head coach of the Boston Celtics: Claude Julian head coach of the Boston Bruins: and our beloved Bill Belichick head coach of the New England Patriots .Olympians are members of our board, Apolo Anton Ohno, gold medalist in short track speedskating, Nancy Kerrigan, silver medalist in figure skating, Lindsey Vonn, the only American woman to have captured downhill gold at the Olympics and Michael Phelps a multiple gold medalist in swimming. Representing the runners world is Kathrine Switzer, the first female to officially run in the Boston Marathon (1967).
• #6: We analyze the client’s learning style and preferences. Next we identify each element of the athletic activity and determine its constituent parts.The Performance Coaches provide us with an evaluation of the client’s existing skill set. Instructors further refine the constituent parts based upon the Performance Coach’s evaluation of the client’s existing skill set.Instructors will then develop a set of learning objectives and related activities based upon the existing skill set.For each client we have an instruction session which describes each learning objective and explains the related activity. We emphasize in the instruction how each activity should feel. Then our Performance Coaches take over for the experiential learning dimension and work with the client in the gym or out on a field. Our coaches will review the instructional component with the client, demonstrate what was covered in the instruction component, and offer additional guidance through videos, animations or sketches. All of this is done with an emphasis on how all the activities should feel. Then the Client performs the activity with constant feedback from the Performance Coach. Two more things happen, a formal feedback session with all parties and, if necessary, the Instructors will adjust the instructions and activities/skill practice.
• #7: Lizanne here from Sports Performance Konsultants, with a K.  Our Sample Client is a 34 year old mother of two boys, aged 6 and 4Mom wants to learn a baseball skill, which is hitting a baseballMom has no prior baseball hitting experience, and her only “athletic” activity is ZUMBA, She wants to pass on skills to her sons who will be playing Tee Ball. So, mom’sprimary motivation is related to her sons’ skill development. Hum, like mother like sons. Sports Performance Konsultants have identified our client’s Learning Preference and Multiple Intelligence Skill as Visual /Kinesthetic and Linguistic/Bodily Kinesthetic Our coaching staff recommendations: Mom is in good condition and participates in Zumba, she will need some drilling on baseball mechanics and she’ll move quickly on to the swing component, after she spends a short period of time on stance.
• #8: Lizanne again from Sports Performance KonsultantsWe will continue with our client’s objectives ObjectivesSo, our client will be able to: Demonstrate the optimum stance for hitting a baseballExplain the appropriate grip of a bat to someone elseModel the swing movement of the bat: for example, using one’s feet, hips, shoulders, head, eyes & hands Recognizing the three basic pitchesFormulating an individual strategy for hand/eye coordination needed for hitting a baseballIntegration of stance, grip, and swing in attempt to hit a pitched baseball Practice ConditionsOur client will practice in an Indoor batting cage or outside in a baseball park designated by the Performance Coach In addition, the Wii baseball series is available to our clientele during a coaching session and home practice use.
• #9: Integrate your stance, bat grip, and swing away. Connect with the ball. Practice hitting the new pitches you have learned to recognize. Fine tune your eye and hand coordination. Most of all, have fun and play ball!
• #10: After receiving stance instruction, and viewing the videos, a performance coach will demonstrate each stance type for the client. She will then be asked to practice the basic components of an effective stance. Specifically:How to position her feet relative to her shoulders and hipsHow to position her toes relative to home plate, keeping in mind she should be able to touch the opposite corner of the plate with her batHow to position her knees, making sure to stay balanced and relaxedHow to properly distribute her weight to allow her legs and hips to power the swing.After practicing these skills, the client will demonstrate balanced, open, and closed stances, describe how each feels, and select what she believes to be her optimum stance. The performance coach will offer feedback to ensure each skill is mastered, and that the client is achieving an optimal stance.
• #11: Get a GripNow that you know what a perfect stance is, you will need to learn how to properly grip a bat. Begin by holding the handle of the bat primarily in the fingers of the hand. This may be done by laying the handle of the bat across the fingers of each hand. To complete the grip, simply close the hands around the handle. With all grips, the dominate hand should be on top. To ensure the bat is being gripped properly in the fingers, the hands should be rotated so the second row of knuckles on each hand line up with one other. This is known as a “standard grip”.If this grip is uncomfortable, however, an alternative grip known as the “box grip” may be used. To achieve the “box grip”, rotate the hands around the handle until the second and third knuckles are in line with one another.The third grip, and one of the most widely used, is the choke grip. A choke grip is when the top knuckles of one hand are lined up with middle knuckles of the other hand, around 4 to 6 inches from the bottom of the bat. This is very similar to the “box grip” and is commonly referred to as “choking up on the bat”. The last component of a proper grip is to ensure the bat is held lightly within the fingers. A light grip will allow the muscles of the hands, wrists, and forearms to remain loose and prepared to swing, while a tight grip may inhibit muscles from moving effectively. To practice these techniques, the bat should be held as much as possible. Time spent holding the bat will help the batter to become more comfortable with the grip, feel, and weight of the bat. Since practicing a proper grip doesn’t require space to swing the bat, it can be done with minimal space by simply holding the bat while watching TV, in your home, or around the office.
• #13: The first image shows how to hold the bat and getting a sense of its weightNote on the second image the position of the fingers and knuckles as you hold the bat where the big knuckles are aligned; this is also known as Punching Knuckles;Another option shown is aligning the door knocking knuckles also known as Middle KnucklesAnd the last option is line up the rings, also known as box gripThe grip should be on a 6 on a scale of 1 to 10; To determine the right grip, imagine someone you met who is a very important person in the company – you shake hands firmly and aggressively; it will help you hit the ball consistently in this manner. The last two slides will show how to position yourself when you are right-handed or left-handed batter
• #14: Clients will first receive a through explanation and demonstration of the proper way to load stance, correctly raise the bat, how to keep both hands back until the ball is released from the pitcher’s hands, stay focused by keeping their head and eyes down o the ball level.In the demonstration clients will safely step toward the ball and wait unit the last instant when the time is right before swinging the bat.
• #15: After the instructor’s demonstration and carefully reviewing the learning materials it is now time to model the correct swing movement, how to position feet, hips, shoulders, head, eyes and hands.It’s time to practice stance. Remember to keep feet a comfortable width apart not too far . Your Knees should be slightly flexed. A good stance will allow you keep your balance and control when swinging the bat.Next, you will be lifting the bat and getting into a position to swing. Keep both elbows down. Your head should be level and eyes should be focused on the ball.
• #16: Now it is time to model the swing Position your hips so they can easily rotate when you swing.Keep your eye on the ball stepping into the pitch when you feel you can make contact with the ball.Each time you practice you should increase your ability to connect with the ball.
• #17: By now you should have a good idea on proper stance and grip of a bat should look and feel. You should be comfortable swinging in relation to your body and eyes correctly. Now you are starting to think about hitting the ball! You might be nervous or even scared and that’s ok. Have no fear as you recognize the three basic pitches you will be prepared to hit the ball.  The three basic pitches are: Fastball: A pitch thrown at a pitchers maximum speed with minimal movementCurveball: Slow or moderately fast baseball pitch thrown with spin to make it swerve downward and usually to the left when thrown from the right hand or to the right when thrown from the left handChange-up: a slow pitch in baseball thrown with the same motion as a fastball in order to deceive the batter  Now you are thinking how do I determine one from the other?  Speed – how fast, how slow Movement – look at the general direction a ball is movingBreak – look for a sudden shift in direction -See how the ball comes out of the pitchers hand and fingersFor example: Fastball: pitch will come straight out of pitchers hand Curveball: pops out above the hand Fastball: fingers on narrow of seams, Curveball: middle and index fingers on top or side of ball and Change up: middle finger in center of seams and index and ring finger on outside of seams-Arm positioning can determine type of pitchThrow pitches with their arm in a higher position than when they throw a fastball Ok now its time to put this information into practice!
• #18: First, we will make sure you are familiar with the three pitches. This will help you know what you are looking for to determine a pitch style. Second, we will demonstrate the different types by using a pitching machine. Now it’s time to go outside. The Coaches will throw pitches and ask you to identify the types of pitches. These types of pitching drills will continue until you have successfully identified at least 70% of the pitches. After the pitching drills are finished the instructors and coach will meet with you to discuss recommendations for adjustments and answer any questions or concerns you might have you. Once the instructor, coach and you are satisfied with your ability to identify the three types of pitches we know you will be more comfortable swinging at the ball!
• #19: Our company understands that adults are life-long learners. Playing baseball involves many learning processes. Our belief is that adults can learn anything even though the pace for learning may be different.Motor sensor skills seem to be harder to develop when we are older, but the fact is that they can be developed.In baseball, in order to be able to bat a ball, it is important to be able to follow the ball with your eyes, while coordinating movement with your arms and body- to be able to make contact. This is a complex process that can be developed by working at it. It is recommended starting with something as simple as tossing the ball first. Hand-eye coordination is an essential element of batting. To develop better coordination and better confidence in the batter's box, stand with a bat extended straight over home plate. Have someone pitch the ball, and watch the ball make contact with the bat. Don't swing--simply guide the bat up or down to meet the ball. As your ability improves, switch to full swings, and focus on the bat and ball connecting.