Thread: Right mix of Plyometrics, Cardio & Strength Training?

Asking regarding a nearly 14 year old girl. Currently we've been doing three sets of the following:

After about 5 minutes of dynamic warm-ups:
1) Thirty to fifty jumping jacks (Cardio)
2) Reverse lunges with overhead presses using 8lb. dumbells (10 reps each side - stability, cardio & strength)
3) Squats with front arm raises using 2lb. dumbells (20 reps stability, cardio & strength)
4) Squats into arm curl into standing presses (using alternate legs & 8lb dumbells - 10 reps each leg - stability, cardio & strength)
5) Burpees - pushup into a standing leap straight up (10 reps - cardio, stability & strength)
6) Bent over row into a standing on one leg upright rows (10 reps each leg - strength & stability)
7) Jump rope - 60 to 100 reps (cardio)

The concept is to work the whole body with each exercise, while engaging the core and emphasizing different muscle groups. My question is does the above seem like a good routine for softball & general conditioning? Also how about the mix of cardio, stability (core) & strength training?

I forgot we usually do a "Plank Challenge" at the end where we both hold the plank position for as long as possible with good form (I do all exercises with her & yes I sweat A LOT!). I agree jump rope should be done more & probably will now that she's getting comforatble doing it. I'm not sure about sled pulling, since I'd be concerned about stress injuries.

Thanks for your input!

Thanks Howard. Some of these we do when outdoors and I'll be sure to review them to incorporate others as well.

Santa Monica Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group

Hi Gerry,

You got a nice little circuit in there. You are lacking some core stuff in there - very important. Pick up a medicine ball and do some rotational work with it. I like the overall look of it. Key is consistency and do it on a regular basis. Also, getting a swiss ball is not a bad idea => great tool for core.

Also a good dynamic warm-up providing you are doing a lot of mobility work will also do "some" of the work that Howard talk about. Howard is right on with preventing injuries in young ladies by strengthening knee and hip stabilizers - a lot of it can be done with single leg work.

Some additional resources that could help you:
Softball Performance - Advanced Training Methods, Tips and Strategies
Power Training for Softball DVD

Cheers,

Coach Marc

Originally Posted by FJRGerry

I forgot we usually do a "Plank Challenge" at the end where we both hold the plank position for as long as possible with good form (I do all exercises with her & yes I sweat A LOT!). I agree jump rope should be done more & probably will now that she's getting comforatble doing it. I'm not sure about sled pulling, since I'd be concerned about stress injuries.

Thanks for your input!

We've been using sleds for a couple years now with no negative results. Look on youtube for some good exercises. Forward pull, backward pull, side step pulls. We also use trunk rotation pulls with the hands doing the pulling. Very similar to the swing motion.

I forgot to mention the agility ladder. We do a LOT of that. My favorite in that area is the side to side high knee jumps using both feet. We jump over the entire ladder side to side. This is great for strengthening the ankles and the knees in addition to the calves and hamstrings. We also do a one-legged hop from side to side with the left foot and then the right.

We haven't had an injury in the past two years (knock on wood). And we are an aggressive team!!

Just for a benchmark, a few of our girls are right at 140 (136-142) jumps per minute with the jump rope timed for a full minute. Time keeps ticking if you tangle. One senior, one sophomore, several freshmen. Of course, we have some far less capable, also.

Originally Posted by softballphreak

We've been using sleds for a couple years now with no negative results. Look on youtube for some good exercises. Forward pull, backward pull, side step pulls. We also use trunk rotation pulls with the hands doing the pulling. Very similar to the swing motion.

I forgot to mention the agility ladder. We do a LOT of that. My favorite in that area is the side to side high knee jumps using both feet. We jump over the entire ladder side to side. This is great for strengthening the ankles and the knees in addition to the calves and hamstrings. We also do a one-legged hop from side to side with the left foot and then the right.

We haven't had an injury in the past two years (knock on wood). And we are an aggressive team!!

Just for a benchmark, a few of our girls are right at 140 (136-142) jumps per minute with the jump rope timed for a full minute. Time keeps ticking if you tangle. One senior, one sophomore, several freshmen. Of course, we have some far less capable, also.

Our girls who are playing basketball are being injured....the basketball coaches do not understand MOST of these girls do not land, jump or cut properly! The hamstring in not as strong as the quad....jump shot and the ACL is gone and so is softball for three girls we know....SO FAR!

Thanks Howard

It's a good set but I just want to know if you had prior strength training before this set or is these the exercises you did on day one?
As everyone pointed out good core strength and leg strength is a good base or an important part of conditioning prior to any plyometrics training. A good cardio set would be interval training which you can check in the internet.

Good conditioning exercises as strength base would be olympic lifts but it's important to know proper form and correct execution on weight

Softball Training - Olympic Weightlifting Can Be A Secret Weapon