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In the world of sports, agility, speed, and precision are paramount. Whether you're sprinting across a soccer field, swinging for the fences in baseball, or maneuvering through defenders in lacrosse, your body's ability to move efficiently can make all the difference between victory and defeat. And at the center of this athletic prowess lies a crucial yet often overlooked element: hip mobility. Hip mobility refers to the range of motion and flexibility around the hip joint. It plays a fundamental role in nearly every athletic movement, from running and jumping to kicking and throwing. In sports like softball, baseball, lacrosse, and soccer, where explosive movements and quick changes in direction are common, optimal hip mobility is essential for peak performance.  Here's why: Enhanced Power and Velocity: In softball, baseball, and lacrosse, generating power and velocity is key to success. A strong and mobile hip complex allows athletes to fully engage their lower body muscl...

Seeking a little something special for your pitcher this Holiday Season? Look no further! We sat with Coach Jillian, lead pitching instructor at GD Athletics, to ask for her to list some of her essential training tools for fast pitch softball pitchers to personally grab.  Before this interview, Coach Jillian made sure to remind us that she is a firm believer in "the athlete makes the athlete, not the equipment," but these are the top products she recommends to her athletes to pick up!  1. Mini Loop Bands  For some reason, band work has been lost in fast pitch softball, despite the enforcement band work seems to have in our counter-sport, baseball.  Any sport which depends on an explosive, over-head movement should in fact be using bands to help strengthen and prep the shoulders of the body.  A pack of mini-loop bands cost on average, less than $10, and typically come in a pack of 3-5 different levels of resistance. Most exercises required of a fastpitch pitcher ...

Rotational sport athletes, such as baseball and fastpitch softball players, golf and tennis players, heavily rely on generating power and effectively transferring energy through their bodies to maximize performance. To enhance their rotational power and optimize energy transfer, a well-rounded strength and conditioning program is crucial.  I n this article, we will explore three exercises that rotational sport athletes should incorporate into their gym routines to improve power generation and energy transfer. We  highly recommend consulting with your physician or personal trainer before attempting to execute any of these exercises.  Pro Tip: As always, remember to save the heavy lifting for off-season training and focus on body weight and band work during your competition season.  Medicine Ball Rotational Throws: Medicine ball rotational throws are excellent for developing explosive rotational power and enhancing energy transfer from the lower body to the upper body....

In the world of fastpitch softball, the mental aspect of the game is just as crucial as physical skills. While a strong arm and pinpoint accuracy are essential, it's the mental toughness that truly sets apart exceptional pitchers from the rest. In this blog post, we delve into the significance of mental toughness in pitching performance and explore how cultivating a resilient mindset can lead to success on the mound. Embracing Pressure: The Crucible of Mental Toughness Fastpitch softball is an inherently high-pressure sport. The ability to handle pressure-cooker situations with composure and confidence is what separates exceptional pitchers from the rest. Discuss the importance of embracing pressure as an opportunity to showcase mental toughness, highlighting techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, and positive self-talk. Developing Focus and Concentration Pitching requires intense focus and concentration, as even the slightest lapse can lead to critical mistakes. Share s...

Coach Samantha Brown is the lead girls' lacrosse instructor at Game Day Athletics. As the season opens up and more of our athletes take the field, we asked Coach Sam to share some of her experiences as an athlete, coach and trainer on this month's Meet the Coach highlight!  Coach Samantha is available for private and group lessons, as well as team trainings, all year 'round. To view her full biography and book your next lesson, visit www.njgameday.com/lessons 

We caught up with Game Day Athletics co-owner, Joe DiMento in this Month's edition of Meet the Team. Check out our interview below!  What made you want to become a college baseball coach ?  When my playing days finally came to an end, I wasn't quite ready to step away from the game. My senior year, I lost my mom and I was given an opportunity to stick around at my alma mater and volunteer as an assistant coach. It changed my life, and was exactly what I needed at the time. I found a real passion for being in a mentorship position and guiding younger athletes. I fell in love with the game from yet another side, and it's been an incredible ride.  What was the biggest obstacle you faced in chasing this dream ?  The biggest obstacle I faced was after my first 3 years coaching for Rutgers University, when I had to take some time away. In honesty, while I loved the position, it wasn't paying enough, in fact it wasn't paying at all as I was fulfilling a volunteer position....