5Star Athletics & Sports Nutrition

11/10/2017

Great advice. Good luck to the Drillers...keep representing the San Antonio area.

07/14/2017

5Star Athletics Elite Baseball Instructional Camp
Click on the link below for details and registration
http://www.5starathletics.org/camp-registration.html

Pre-Registration before 1st day of camp - Monday, July 17 8:30am

06/08/2017

When receiving throws from catcher at 2nd base. You should be working on three types of movements.

1) left foot on front corner
2) left foot behind the bag
3) left foot on back corner (straddle look)
- all three will have your right foot ahead of the area in front corner of bag
- 1 and 2 will be the most common and allow you to adjust to off line throws better. Your feet should "not" be too wide with this alignment.

Coaching points:
A) throws up the line - you will work in front of the line without crossing the base path.

B) watch on many of these tags how their right hip and right shoulder follow the tag (we call it a closed tag or following the tag). The number on the back of their jersey is facing toward 3rd or home plate. It should not be facing toward left field (exception would be out of movement #3 straddle movement).

C) notice how active their feet are and how they are able to move their left foot quickly to make adjustments to throw and slide

D) you should be able to feel what the runner will do or use peripheral vision to know how you will apply tag.

Almost all of these throws are great throws and you will still have to work on the same movements with balls you will have to pick and tag.

Pick and tag movements should be:
1) push pick - tag
2) pick up quick - tag
3) stick - tag

One of the most common picks that is NOT very efficient (but seen at youth and high school level) is the swipe pick and tag. It is usually in the path of the ball for only a short time and it usually takes you away from the tag before the tag can be applied. This happens to be what we see a lot of with youth baseball and even though "it looks cool" it is not the best option.

Feel free to message me about the three pick movements on receiving at 2nd and we can send you some video review.

Hopefully you can see the video link of these movements in action. They go through all three movements.

Video compilation of all movements:
https://www.facebook.com/ElHomePlate/videos/1558253024207694/

Position 1 video with mix of stick pick-tag and a pickup quick-tag:
http://m.mlb.com/video/v1467599383/?query=Caught+stealing

Position 2 video:
http://m.mlb.com/video/v1459855083/?query=Caught+stealing

Position 3 video:
http://m.mlb.com/video/v1469546183/?query=Caught+stealing

Bad positioning. Too wide. And throw may be off line but catching too far in front of base. When throw is on right side of shoulder you want to drop with your right foot then left foot behind bag then quick tag. This cannot happen with wide feet in front of bag:
http://m.mlb.com/video/v1465183583/?query=Caught+stealing

The Twins win a challenge in the 9th as Jason Castro catches Ben Revere stealing second to help Brandon Kintzler pick up the save

04/28/2017

Another pre-practice extra work drill. See our goal list below for this drill.

Usually 4-6 kids for this drill. If all 12 players are here, some kids will work other pre-practice drills.

Offensive goal:
1) destroy the baseball through the centerfield wall
2) move and actively work on adjustments to the foundations of each players individual hitting movement
3) be your own coach

Defensive goal:
1) never let anyone question your effort or your ability to be prepared.
2) be an athlete and make plays
3) actively make adjustments to improve defensive foundations of routine plays and ESPN plays to increase our chances of success and be as quick as possible
4) turn double plays
5) be your own coach

Overall goal: ALWAYS WORK ON YOUR CRAFT!!!

This drill is not to be over coached. I am still a big fan of Jerry Weinstein's simple reminders...coach the caution out of them...not into them.

We do go over specifics and techniques during our segment drills and foundation work. We try to keep those stations moving and completed in 4-6 minute segments.

03/27/2017

The lost art of tag plays among youth baseball and integrating them into your practice plan.

For the past 15 years I have watched kids, parents, fans, and coaches complain about the calls made by umpires on all types of tag plays.

A fielder will either create doubt, create certainty or surprise an umpire into getting a call...all while runners are trying to do the same with their base running, slide or lack there of.

My biggest frustration is never with the umpires, but with a fielders effort, position, or inefficient movement that leaves doubt in the umpires eyes or allows a runner to have the upper hand on a close play.

Check out some of the great tags on this video and while many of them are great plays...this continues to be one of the most under coached aspect of the game. It's amazing the effect these plays have on the game and pitchers' pitch counts.

PRACTICE TIPS:
1) during your throwing progression, players should be working on transfers, receiving confidently, making tags, relay movements and double play movements

2) from 20-40 feet you can work short hop tag plays in the throwing progression. During long toss we have a long hop/long toss progression from 120-180 feet where player receiving the ball works on ground ball footwork or tag plays.

3) Catchers and infielders should always work tags when receiving the ball during relays, fungo, etc.

4) Make extra throws in practice. We have our kids throw backdoor during any situational or live work. And they do the same during games. Very frustrating to hear youth coaches and parents tell kids to hold the ball while runners are being aggressive. If you are holding the ball while runners are moving or not attentive, you will get no outs. The best teams get the extra outs and shut down aggressive base running.

5) There are many strategies used on how to position yourself at a base depending on where the ball is coming from. Be open to ideas, try as many of them as possible during practice, and go with what works best in regards to making a quick, strong, aggressive tag and being able to move efficiently when the ball is offline in order to still make a tag.

6) Working coach thrown baseballs at 2nd, 3rd, and 1st for tag plays on all types of throws (on the bag, behind fielder, up the line, short hop, long hop, etc)

Feel free to share and/or comment with other ideas for integrating tag plays into a youth or high school practice.

https://youtu.be/-Uiq2ORGqoc

Video made for entertainment purposes only Clips belong to MLB.com/MLB Advanced Media Songs used are Javier Baez's walk-up songs: Farruko — "Visionary" Snow ...

03/21/2017

World Baseball Classic is just as awesome as playoff baseball in October. I wish our athletes could watch this and understand it from a level of sandlot baseball where you hated losing more than you liked winning. You would do what ever it takes to get an edge, to outplay, to outcompete, to steal a run, to steal an out...

I can't get enough of this stuff!!!

I had a kid (pitcher) tell me before a game this weekend after I asked him what was wrong...he said, "coach, I'm nervous"...me and Coach Kristopher Ruepke looked at him and smiled and said, "wait till after you throw that first pitch strike and it all goes away." The kid is a competitor and it's great to see kids play the game on another level. Expect more, want more, create more. I love this game.

On a side note...you need to follow Jerry Weinstein...this guy understands the game on a whole other level. The little things, the simple things, and just seeing the intricacies of the game. Always good stuff and really enjoyed following his feed and run in the WBC.

From youth leagues to high school to the collegiate level to the highest level...always find a way to do more.

https://www.facebook.com/Cutfour/videos/1434307566600878/

03/12/2017

Great stuff here on receiving. Take a look at the details. Catchers have a big impact on pitchers success and how umpires see the zone.

02/08/2017

Been talking to lots of players, parents and coaches recently. And as much as people want to focus on talent...there are many foundational values and supporting attributes that allow athletes to overcome obstacles and become a true leader of leaders. In our profession, this always seems to be the game changer. Talent can rise above the rest but commitment to values and attributes can allow you to compete with the best.

Shared from PCA Development Zone: 'John Wooden's Pyramid Of Success'.

02/08/2017

Last week of working with the San Antonio Angels 12u Red team. Great pitching workout.

01/26/2017

What are you doing to start your day? Nothing better than hand watering while the sprinklers are going on fresh new turf grass. Great project as we put in a new infield at Diamond Spikes Ballpark in San Antonio. All we have left is the cuts and new athletic dirt for the infield.

To all the people doing what they love...stay consistent, push through the hurdles, surround yourselves with positive people and do things for the right reasons.

A shout out to all the people, facilities and organizations who are working with our young athletes and preparing them for the future.

Feel free to share, comment and tell us a little about:

1) your motivation...what is your "why"

and/or

2) your business (let 5Star Athletics & Sports Nutrition help your organization and how you support the community, athletes and families)

Have a great day and meet every challenge head on.

01/11/2017

A little preview of our Tuesday pitching workouts at Diamond Spikes Ballpark in San Antonio. Open registration begins this Friday. Please like and follow us to see upcoming info for all of our on-going monthly sessions for the spring.

Many athletes are looking for extra work on top of your select team practices. This is a great way to get specific training on a regular basis. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday early workouts. Great job Coach Morris Libson

01/10/2017

Happy National Law Enforcement Day! Thank you to all of the Law Enforcement officers who take risks everyday to keep us safe!