Take Softball to the 21st Century, says Top Softball Coach

Online, September 23, 2009 (Newswire.com) - Softball is in serious need of an update, according to a top softball peak performance coach.

Canada-based softball coach Marc Dagenais says that there outdated practices that most softball coaches still teach to their players. He says that he thinks there are two reasons for this, first being the lack of education of most coaches in sports sciences.

"All [the coaches] know really well are techniques and strategies," says Dagenais.

Also, coaches often tend to use the same methods their coaches taught them in their playing days, "and some of these methods are out of date."

Dagenais even gave some particular things that are outdated yet most coaches still teach their players. First, there's the technique of keeping the elbow up at the plate. He says that back in his playing days, his coaches and parents would tell him to do that method when he was unable to hit the ball, "like it was the magic trick to cure all hitting problems."

Using static stretches is another outdated technique, according to Dagenais. He says that contrary to popular belief, static stretches is a counterproductive method of warming up as it decreases speed and power, and doesn't prevent injuries.

"Coaches should teach their players dynamic stretches instead." Unlike static stretches, this new way of warming up to help boost a player's speed and power, and to prevent injuries.

According to Dagenais, static stretches should instead be used when cooling down after games and practices.

He also has a piece to say against coaches who still think that yelling at players keeps them motivated. Dagenais says that it could work in the short term, but never as a long term solution. "You want a positive, supportive and empowering environment so that your athletes respond well and want to go to war for you," he says.

Dagenais is a softball coach with more than 20 years of coaching teams that include the Canadian Women's Softball National Team.

For more details about this information, contact Marc Dagenais or visit his website at http://www.softballperformance.com.

About Marc Dagenais:

Marc Dagenais, MHK, CSCS, is a softball peak performance coach that helps players and teams hit with more power, run faster, throw harder, be mentally tougher, and more dominant on the field.

Contact:

Marc Dagenais
M.O. Dagenais & Associates, Inc.
154 Charlotte St., Suite #C508
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
H2X 4A1
+1-866-589-0439
http://www.softballperformance.com