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When stepping up to the plate, nothing's more important to hitting the ball a country mile than smooth swing mechanics. One of the most common culprits behind poor cuts is the bats hitters bring with them to the plate. Too heavy and swings drag—the bat drops below the ball and takes too long to make its way around the plate. Too light, on the other hand, and batters tend to whip their lumber around the plate with just their arms, failing to harness the power of their lower body. Therefore, …

Many basketball players and coaches divide their training programs into two distinct categories: off-court physical training and on-court skills training. During off-court sessions, players use a variety of weight, resistance and plyometric equipment to get their bodies in peak shape for the season. When working on their dribbling, passing and shooting skills on the court, players tend not to use much equipment besides a few basketballs, a hoop and maybe a few cones. This distinction tends …

No matter what position they play, all basketball players can benefit by improving their ball handling skills. Perimeter threats like Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant use deft dribble moves to defy defenders in the open floor, while big men like Blake Griffin use their ball handling skills to make mincemeat out of their match-ups, proving that all players of all play styles can take their games to the next level by working on one of basketball's most basic fundamentals. Luckily for young play …

One of the best ways for athletes of all ages and skill levels to develop their jumping ability is through plyometric exercises. Plyometrics are exercises in which muscles exert maximum force over short intervals of time with the goal of increasing power.  When applied specifically to jump training, the resulting increase in explosiveness can help athletes jump both higher and quicker, which can not only help them become more effective in sports like basketball and volleyball, but can …

As a physical education teacher, you know one of the keys to a successful class is keeping all of your students involved. However, space and equipment limitations make that a major challenge when implementing strength training programs. Sharing just a few machines and resistance bands among a full class of students is not only an inefficient use of students' time, but all that waiting can stymie their enthusiasm. To develop a program that engages everyone, try expanding your scope and makin …