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How to develop faster baseball & softball players | Mike Cunliffe
In this podcast episode, Patrick Jones interviews Mike Cunliffe, head coach of the Seattle Speed Track Club, about enhancing athlete speed. Cunliffe emphasizes the role of biomechanics, power-to-weight ratio, and proper recovery in improving performance. He discusses the importance of deadlifts, managing central nervous system fatigue, and specific training for base running in baseball. Cunliffe shares his coaching background, the impact of structural issues on performance, and the significance of cellular optimization for recovery. He offers practical advice for coaches with limited resources, including plyometric exercises and intelligent training management.
Timestamps:
[03:11] Max Velocity Mastery and Unlocking Athletic Potential in Baseball
[15:34] Strategies for Endurance and Sprint Performance
[17:12] Cutting-Edge Recovery Techniques
[20:14] In-Season Training
[27:48] Power-to-Weight Ratio
[29:33] Biomechanics and Acceleration
[33:00] Training Schedule and Neural Stress
[37:02] Mike Cunliffe's Background in Track and Field Coaching
[40:29] Biomechanics for Base Running
[44:55] Sprinting Prime and Training Methodologies
[47:20] Biomechanics and Force Application in Running
[50:07] Body Realignment and Injury Management
[54:24] Recovery and Cellular Optimization
[58:07] Weight Room Protocols for High School Coaches
[01:10:20] Plyometric and Speed Training for Baseball Players
[01:14:21] Biomechanics of Sprinting
[01:18:14] Contacting Coach Mike Cunliffe
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364. How College Coaches Evaluate High School Hitters
29:16||Ep. 364Would you like to work with me to help you find your perfect school? https://patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruitingMy service includes: * Full evaluation and personalized recruiting plan.* Direct connections and recommendations to college coaches.* Access to honest feedback from coaches.* Player development support throughout the recruiting process.* Ongoing communication and guidance for both recruitment and player improvement.Episode notes: 1. Consider Position Projection - Evaluate the player's projected position in college, not just their current position. - Up-the-middle players are valued differently than corner players due to defensive impact.2. Understand Context - Consider how the player fits the team's home park dynamics. - Some coaches recruit based on how their home park plays, influencing player selection.3. Batting Practice - Focus on hitting to all fields, not just pulling the ball. - Showcase hitting ability by staying up the middle and demonstrating power without solely focusing on home runs.4. Metrics - Metrics are a starting point, not the sole determinant of a player's potential. - Coaches prioritize hitting ability and swing decisions over metrics.5. Movement - Coaches look for good movement and a swing that translates to the next level. - Individualized stances and hitting styles are valued, focusing on hitting consistency.6. Mental Game - Demonstrate competitiveness and resilience in the face of failure. - Show a growth mindset, situational hitting, and positive team interaction.7. Power and Speed - Coaches value players who can reach second base independently through power or speed. - Power includes hitting doubles, not just home runs.8. Left-Handed Hitters - Left-handed hitters are often preferred due to swing aesthetics and matchup advantages against right-handed pitchers.- Avoid overemphasizing metrics; focus on overall hitting ability.- Do not solely rely on physical attributes; mental game and team dynamics are crucial.Tips for Efficiency- Emphasize hitting to all fields during batting practice.- Prioritize consistency and situational hitting- Foster a growth mindset and positive team interactions.363. Strength Training For Baseball & Softball Players | Angelo Gingerelli
47:19||Ep. 363In this episode, Angelo Gingerelli, Strength & Conditioning Coach at Seton Hall University, joins us to discuss his two decades of experience in the field and the evolution of training for college athletes. We dive into topics like the importance of mastering basic movement patterns, the role of strength training in developing explosive power for baseball and softball players, and how to balance individualized training with foundational athletic development.Angelo's new book362. The Art & Science of Baserunning | Tyler Packanik
46:45||Ep. 362This week, we’re diving deep into baserunning, a crucial game aspect often overlooked. Our guest, Tyler Packanik, the Recruiting Coordinator at Jacksonville State University, is an expert in baserunning. Beyond his recruiting role, Tyler focuses on infield and baserunning, bringing insight into how to excel in these areas. In this episode, he shares advanced techniques and tips on getting leads to reading pitchers, stealing bases, and more.Episode Highlights:Introducing Tyler Packanik: His background as a recruiting coordinator focused on infield and baserunning at Jacksonville State University.Breaking Down Baserunning: Fundamentals of baserunning, including taking leads, reading pitchers, stealing bases, and running through and around bases.Techniques & Strategy:How to effectively use the vault and creep leads.Knowing when to steal bases and understanding pitcher cues.Tips for maximizing a lead-off without getting picked off.How to round first base and take an aggressive approach to turning doubles into triples.The Mental Game of Baserunning: Developing confidence on the base paths and staying in control under pressure.Pro-Level Insight: How MLB players like Anthony Volpe showcase elite baserunning and why speed isn't the only factor for practical baserunning.Tips for Coaches: Structure baserunning drills in practice, build players' instincts, and emphasize repetition and situational awareness.Key Coaching Techniques: Tyler's approach to coaching all types of runners (green, yellow, red) involves maintaining a "best time every time" mindset and encouraging players to see their foot hit the base for precision.Tyler does an incredible job of breaking down complex techniques and strategies to help you or your team improve. From maintaining momentum at second base to running through first base correctly, Tyler’s insights make this episode a must-listen for anyone serious about elevating their baserunning skills.Follow Tyler Packanik on Twitter: @TPAC5.Enjoy the episode, and get ready to dominate the base paths!Patrick's new course, Swing Decisions: How To Master The Strike Zone361. Coaching High School Baseball | Kyle Wagner
42:50||Ep. 361Kyle Wagner is Cumberland Valley's current high school baseball coach in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. Kyle is a former college and professional baseball player, author, and father. In this episode, Kyle talks about the current landscape of youth baseball, what he's thinking about, and why he decided to get back into coaching. Kyle is an excellent follow on Twitter @gowagskyleCoaching Beyond Xs and Os360. Strike Zone Research & Umpire Tendencies | Adam Maloof
44:41||Ep. 360Adam Maloof is a professor of Geosciences and a Princeton athletics fellow for the baseball team. He has recently published several research articles on various topics in baseball. Today, we focus on his article on the college strike zone. In today's episode, you will learn about umpire tendencies, the called strike zone, and, most importantly, how to use this information to help your hitters make better swing decisions.Adam's articles359. How To Develop Infielders | Chris Cates
39:51||Ep. 359This week, we welcome Chris Cates to the podcast. Chris is the Director of Player Development at the University of South Florida. He has had previous coaching stops at Florida State, Central Florida, and Tampa. In this episode, our focus is on developing infielders. Chris talks about his experience as an infielder when he played at the University of Louisville. He also gets into what he looks explicitly for when evaluating infielders, drills, and instincts. The Hitting Chronicle Newsletter: https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/THCWebsite: https://patrickjonesbaseball.comFollow me on Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pjonesbaseballTwitter: https://twitter.com/pjonesbaseballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pjonesbaseballLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jones-b388a484/358. College Coaches Roundtable: Bowling Green State University | Matt Rembielak | Joey Cooper |
54:17||Ep. 358I visited Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, this week and recorded an episode with Matt Rembliak (Associate Head Coach) and Joey Cooper (Assistant Coach) Bowling Green was the 2024 MAC regular season champion. They had a breakout season in 2024, going 24-6 in conference play, and finished with a 33-20 overall record. In this episode, we discuss the current recruiting landscape, including: Players getting their offers pulled. How the new rules impact the type of player Bowling Green will recruit What Bowling Green looks for in a high school player Advice to current high school players Lastly, we discuss player development at Bowling Green and the similarities between the players who have made the biggest jump in on-field performance. College Baseball Recruiting Consultation: This is for high school baseball players interested in college baseball.357. The New College Baseball Recruiting Process
35:25||Ep. 357There have been massive changes in college baseball over the last 12 months. In this episode, you will learn what those changes are, how they impact the recruiting timeline, what college coaches are looking for, when you should go to camps and showcases, and how college coaches find players. 1-1 PJB Recruiting Consultation: We meet via Zoom, and I can answer any questions you have and evaluate you. If you're a good fit for my recruiting service, we can discuss the next steps.356. How To Run A Travel Baseball Organization W/ Neal Packanik | Bo Jackson Elite |
54:14||Ep. 356Patrick Jones @pjonesbaseball sits down with Neal Packanik @nealpackanik to discuss the landscape of travel baseball. Neal is the general manager of Bo Jackson Elite, one of the most respected travel baseball organizations in the Midwest. In this episode, Neal talks about the common mistakes people make in travel baseball, what to look for in a travel baseball team, and the college recruiting process. PJB Recruiting: https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting The Hitting Chronicle Newsletter: https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/THC Website: https://patrickjonesbaseball.com Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pjonesbaseballTwitter: https://twitter.com/pjonesbaseballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pjonesbaseballLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jones-b388a484/