This week’s article moves away from biomechanics entirely to discuss a concept I have been exploring with my own pitchers call Paradoxical Training. This concept refers to using opposing logic to train athletes, such as drills that encourage a hitter to pull the outside pitch or having pitchers aim at random targets far from the strike zone. This concept was first discussed in softball by Flyger et al. (2006) The Science of Softball: Implications for Performance and Injury Prevention. They found:
- Paradoxical training improves bat-to-ball skills and adaptability.
- Contradictory training strategies enhance reaction time and swing adjustability.
Implications: Variability and differential training are key concepts in ecological dynamics, a theory of skill acquisition that I have been following for quite a while. I like this style because it tends to develop skills more quickly and reduce injury risk by reinforcing the connection between the athlete and their environment. Paradoxical training is like differential training on steroids. In a little experiment, I had my pitchers throw to random targets place all over a net behind the plates using an assortment of balls that were different weights, sizes etc than the normal softball for 45 pitches. Then for the last 15 pitches I had them perform a command test that I give them often. 5 of the 6 pitchers performed exactly the same as they had the week before and one actually performed better. Moreover, they loved it. Do your research and maybe give it a try.
People to Follow
I found this post that I found so spot on that I had to share. I don’t follow Craig Brockie but I have been a huge fan of the late Charles Poliquin for a long time. Poliquin is a French Canadian who taught himself German and Russian so he could read strength and conditioning texts from the masters who were far ahead of North Americans in the 1970’s and 1980’s. He actually inspired me to learn Japanese as that’s one of the few languages which baseball and softball research is published. This post breaks down many of Poliquin’s secrets to life.
