Distance running or sprints? Many players, coaches and parents are asking the question.
How much distance running is enough?
Not much!
Players need to build a base of endurance and strength, but they aren’t training to become a marathon champion. Effective training should include cross training which can include aerobics, yoga, weight training and sprint training.
If you are expending a huge amount of time and energy on running long distances you are taking time and energy away from training things that are more specific to fastpitch softball. There are only so many hours in the day and if you are spending an hour running distance that is an hour you are not spending on things that make you a better softball player.
You could:
Use the speed ladder There are limitless options of exercises you can do using the ladder. You can become faster, quicker, stronger and also build endurance by working the ladder.
Do Interval training. A good example would be working very hard, sprinting for example for 30 seconds followed by 15 seconds of rest. Do this 10 or 15 times and you are getting in a real workout that also helps you learn how to recover quickly.
Aerobics, kickboxing or a good old fashioned jump rope are all good options for building endurance through fast paced and explosive training. Again, fastpitch softball is a game of explosive bursts much more than it is ever going to be a game of long drawn out effort.
Do yoga. So you get stronger, become more flexible and become fitter…nuff said!
There are dozens of options out there for softball players who want to get into great shape. Do a little research and you can come up with a wide variety of things you can do to be a more physically fit player.
