By: Ron Bing, Purtias League, Cleveland, Ohio
How often do you hear a coach tell a boy, "Take a deep breath and relax."? However, has the coach ever taken the time to actually teach his boys how to do just that? Taking a deep and relaxing breath is not something we do usually, and like all other skills needs to be practiced in order to become most effective. This is simply another skill that is taken for granted but shouldn't be. 1) the player needs to relax his muscles Common mistakes include not taking in a full breath or taking it in too quickly, taking the breath in through the mouth not the nostrils, not releasing the breath slowly enough, and too often the player is simply going through the motions because the coach said to. Early on in practice have the boys form a circle and go through this exercise. I guarantee you they will laugh and think it is kind of stupid. In addition, some of them will be self conscious of doing something like this because they will think the other players will make fun of them or think they look silly. However, explain that at some point in the season to come, every single player on your team will be up to bat in a key situation, and there will be a lot of tension in the air because you need to get that runner in or perhaps lose the game. Each player needs to use every tool he has in order to best insure he will maximize his important at bat. This is one of those tools which will help tip the scale in favor of the hitter.
Date: September 06, 1998 at 10:57
2) the deep breath is taken in through his nose slowly
3) the breath needs to fill his chest cavity completly
4) the breath is then slowly released through his mouth
5) the whole purpose of this is to relax the player, not get him out of breath! Thus it should be done slowly and completely.
6) don't jump back in the batter's box immediately after taking the deep breath. Shake your arms, flex your legs, bend at the waist, perhaps take a second breath. Relax and get yourself comfortable - then step back in the box when you are ready.