Baseball Training Videos - A Coach's Review

By Coach Joe Ianucci

(Editor's note: This baseball training videos article was sent in by a coach who has used all of the following products with great success. We decided to run it because we felt it provided a great view from the "real-world" of coaching, while helping clear the air on any questions you may have about our products.)

As a baseball and softball instructor I wanted to provide a review on BaseballTrainingSecrets.com baseball training videos to clear up any confusion and to help you select which videos are best for your situation.

Selecting a baseball training video can be daunting at times, and frankly, it shouldn't be.

So here are my honest and sincere reviews of BaseballTrainingSecrets.com products…

Ultimate 7-Minute Warm-Up DVD

Most baseball warm-ups (softball too) are simply a lap around the field, some lackadaisical static stretching and then throwing. Hey, this is how I did it growing up and had my teams do the same during my first decade of coaching. Well, since then I've learned this is a monumental waste of time and can even be detrimental to the players.

By utilizing a dynamic warm-up like that found in the Ultimate 7-Minute Warm-Up baseball training videos, you will not only cut your warm-up time by two-thirds, you will also help improve the functional strength, speed, agility, coordination, flexibility and overall athleticism of your players. In fact, studies also show that warming up dynamically instead of in a static fashion, risk on injury is greatly decreased. In my opinion warming up in a dynamic fashion is not an option, it's a must.

Unbreakable Abs: Baseball-Specific Core Training

If you want true baseball core strength (again softball too - feel free to insert softball anywhere I say baseball because 99% of the game is similar from a biomechanical - i.e. training - standpoint) then you must utilize techniques and protocols that deliver in a specific manner.

Performing crunches or standing on a "balance" board to increase core strength is like eating fast food to lose weight. In other word, it ain't gonna happen. Unbreakable Abs should be done by every baseball and softball player, period. The improvement in my athletes is nothing short of amazing after using the drills found in this program. And the great thing is the kids love doing the workouts and the results that go along with it.

The baseball training videos are provided in both DVD format and in a manual so all styles of learning are covered. The audio on the DVD isn't the best, but the material is great.

Million Dollar Hitter: Game Bat Speed & Vision Training Program

Everyone know that you can't hit what you can't see, so why is so much time spent on mechanics and virtually zero effort put into training your vision in a baseball specific manner? Hey I was as guilty as the next guy, but since I've adapted the drills found in Million Dollar Hitter baseball training videos my hitters can hit faster pitching and do a much better job with the off-speed stuff.

I recently learned that baseball-specific vision does not mean using different colored balls or sitting at a computer screen. It means combining baseball hitting drills with vision drills in order to have that transfer over to the field and game situations. You can improve your baseball-specific vision a great deal.

I like how the info in Million Dollar Hitter is delivered in both DVD and manual format for the best learning experience. I also liked how the techniques in the program can be used for an age athlete (I've used them with kids as young as 4 and as advanced as professional baseball) and can be implemented within 2 minutes after watching the baseball training videos. The learning curve is tiny and the more you do the drills the better you become.

Power/Speed Development Series

I consider this a "staple" product if you, your kid or your players will ever participate in weight training. If not, then skip this series. But if weight training will become part of your baseball training regimen then you must learn the basic movements that should be the staple of every training program. These lifts are the squat, deadlift, power clean, power snatch, bench press and push press.

These exercises give you the most bang for you buck. And they're also the most effective, efficient and safest when performed properly. I like how these baseball training videos should the exact progression of each lift, so no matter if you're a beginner or veteran of lifting, you will learn (and see) the proper way to perform these great lifts. The videos also show 5-10 versions of each lift to ensure proper progression and training stimulus.

Rotator Cuff FIX DVD

If you're not doing specific work for your rotator cuff, and more importantly your scapular region (this is often overlooked but vital to a healthy shoulder), then you simply don't value your experience as a baseball player. With the growing number of arm injuries and surgeries all it takes is a few minutes 2-3 times per week to keep the shoulder area strong and free of injury.

This is not a sexy training program, and can even be boring at times, but look at it as a small insurance policy on your arm to avoid injury in the future.

Speed, Strength & Power (SSP) 18 Week Training Program

I really look at this as a great deal. Simply because you can pick up a complete training program, with everything laid out for you, for a fraction of Jon's normal $25,000 program price. If you want a baseball training program then this baby is it. It's really as simple as that.

My advice would be going with the Platinum package as you get a ton of DVD's and manuals that will help you perform the program and get the most out of it.

Xplode Speed & Agility DVD

Shawn Moody does this baseball training video. It shows the proper way to utilize the speed and agility ladder. If you're not familiar with the ladder it's a great tool that can be used by an entire team at once that develops great speed and footwork that can directly translate over to the diamond. As everything else in training, the key is performing the drills properly.

Let me tell you, I couldn't believe some of the simple mistakes I was making with my athletes when I was doing these drills. A few changes and I immediately saw improvement on the field.

One-On-One Personalized Coaching w/ Jon Doyle

With the price tag this obviously isn't for everybody. But if you have the means and the work ethic to go through the program, the transformation in your ability will be profound. For most however, the SSP 18 Week Program is a great alternative and much more cost effective.

Joe Ianucci has been involved in baseball as a NCAA Division 1 athlete and coach/instructor for over 25 years. He owns the Northeast's premier baseball training facility, Triple Play Baseball/Softball. Mr. Ianucci has worked with thousands of baseball and softball players of all ages, from age 4 all the way up to the professional ranks. He is also President of the highly acclaimed Xplosion Baseball Academy.

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