What a SuperBowl - Black History Month Cont'd

As we wrap up the 2011 football season with another great Super Bowl between the NY Giants and NE Patriots I find it appropriate to highlight an amazing African-American athlete of his time, Jim Brown. I've grown up in an era where Quarterbacks and passing for 400 yards is glamorous and sexy in the world of NFL football. Jim Brown ran with passion, anger and determination on his way to becoming the most prolific running back of all time. In this post we link to Jim Brown's biography so all can read about his legacy on and off the playing field. 

http://www.biography.com/people/jim-brown-9228484

Sam Golubov, President

SportsMechanics.com

National Wear Red Day - Black History Month

To honor both Black History Month and National Wear Red Day for women's heart health, we are celebrating the life of Althea Gibson. Althea Gibson was the first African-American woman to be invited to the Wimbledon tennis tournament and the first to win the Wimbledon tennis tournament. Althea's perseverance and determination to pursue what she loved is a true model of an American hero. Althea paved the way for future tennis players and young African-American girls to believe they too, could become successful athletes in a male dominant world. On behalf of the SportsMechanics.com management team I am honored to say, "Thank you" to Althea Gibson and all she stood for!

Althea Gibson bio page

-Sam Golubov
President, SportsMechanics.com  

Black History Month

An important topic at hand is the launching of the FREE version of our SportsMechanics.com video instruction library. More importantly, this post is meant to pay tribute to many of the past heroes whom have paved the way for our athletic success we see today! The month of February is dedicated to thanking the African-American men and women athletes of our time. As an assistant college baseball coach and avid fan of all things baseball, I believe every young athlete should know the story of Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play Major League Baseball. His presence on the diamond helped transcend baseball, professional sports and civil rights in this great country we all call home. While the start of the baseball season is still a few months away, I felt the best way to start off Black History Month was to link to a bio of the great life of Mr. Jackie Robinson. Hope you enjoy reading about his life as much as I do!

http://www.biography.com/people/jackie-robinson-9460813

Sam Golubov
President, SportsMechanics.com

Inside the Young Pitcher's Mind

A successful pitcher will rely on a good mental approach to pitching, along with good mechanics. A pitcher is able to analyze, visualize and execute. The difference between a pitcher and a thrower, is being able to rely on and be successful through good mechanics. A good pitcher will be the result of many hours of dedication to the art of pitching and the inner desire to be on the mound.

While on the mound, the pitcher is thinking; I am going on the mound to win, not just service. Each pitch is a contest between himself and the batter, that continues on to winning each inning. Making the proper pitch, hitting the right spot, keeping batters off balance, having the hitter hit your pitch; NOT his pitch, will result in a well pitched game. Don't forget the tools of your trade; good balance, proper throwing techniques, keeping the arm in a good slot and keeping the arm healthy by throwing the ball correctly.

The mechanics and drills shown in 3R Baseball Mechanics and SportsMechanics.com are fundamental to all ages and levels of development. The basic movements are the same, but with age and practice the skill level of execution will improve. The will to win doesn't change, but the ability to focus, analyze, visualize and execute will also develop. When the coach gives you the ball and you go to the hill, stay focused and have fun.

Beginner Golf Lessons

Where should the beginner start? How should they start? I think there are many answers to these questions. What course of action should the teacher use to get the beginner to  improve the fastest?

I think for new golfers it is important to know if they have played other sports. Also I'll ask the type of hobbies and even what a student does for a living. The answers to these  questions help me design the type of approach I will use to best maximize the learning process. Some students want to know all that is involved with the swing yet some just want to be told what to do.

Skipping a couple steps like grip and other set-up things, let’s talk about swinging. How do you teach someone how to learn the swing? Do you start at impact? Do you start with small swings near the green or do you teach total motion?

I make the decision after I see them do what comes naturally. Usually, I try to teach them a combination of what impact should be like and how to learn how to feel the clubhead and clubface. Most beginners need to learn how to learn the golf swing. I strive for freedom, rotation and speed. If those things are going well, I move onto impact and the shape of the swing.

It constantly changes based on the natural ability of the student. I need to let them be who they are and let their swing speak to that. Even after taking only a couple swings, when you ask a beginner to reroute something, they can say that it feels awkward or unnatural. Use this feel to its fullest because it is a strong sensation that will stay with them forever.

There is so much information that a beginner needs. If they do any of it naturally, let them know. Tell them, show them what they are doing. They will be the most maleable in the beginning and if you can start them off right, the future will go wherever their desire and talent can take them.

Rick Nielsen
Head Golf Pro, Randall's Island Golf Center

Sharks & Minnows Baseball Drill

The Sharks & Minnows Baseball Drill is an excellent way to teach several baseball lessons while playing a school yard game the kids are familiar with! This is a perfect drill for indoor practice, but can be executed outside as well... You must have a tee, bat, ball and gloves set aside. The coaches will start off as the 'sharks' and the team as the 'minnows.' Set-up a batting order, with the first player starting on the tee. The rest of the players will start on a line (or wall) behind the batter. The coaches (or sharks) will start in the field, a safe distance away from the batter. The batter will wait for the coach's sign to swing. Once given the signal to swing, he/she hits and makes sure he/she places the bat directly in front of the tee. IF they throw the bat, a whistle is blown and everyone must go back! This is to teach players to not throw the bat after they swing. Once the ball has been hit, the rest of the players/minnows can now run. This teaches the runners to run on contact. For older players, make sure they tag up on fly balls or run immediately on grounders... The base-runners must get to the other wall or line before the coach (or shark), retrieves the ball and tags him/her. Once a minnow is tagged he/she must put their glove on and become a shark. IF a player who is now a shark tags a minnow with a ball in the glove and two hands on the ball, he /she can become a minnow again! Run through the order, or until your allotted time is over. This is a great way to start or end practice. Each player gets a swing on the tee, learns how to run on contact, fields and tags the runner properly with two hands. Remember, the object of practice is to try and keep it fun, while teaching the fundamentals.

Sam Golubov
President, SportsMechanics.com