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BVSA Teaches: Balance Beam for Load

BVSA Teaches: Balance Beam for Load

On this episode of BVSA Teaches, Frank Ramppen talks about using the balance beam for load. Just like for the stance, we have the kids getting on this to establish a nice balanced stance, but we could also work the load here. It forces you to stay in balance. Some kids are going to do it really easily at first and some aren’t. You can put them on this beam and have them get into that balanced position. Then, begin to figure out what that move is that works for them. Being on this will keep you from rolling out here to far and will obviously keep you from going forward or back or else you’ll fall off. It will help the player understand that they really have to control this or else they’re going to fall down. So you can spend a lot of time here.

Correct Rotation

Here I’m holding the bat in one hand and get to the point where they’re holding the bat in two hands. They will be looking at the pitcher. You’re just working some type of a load here. Make sure you’re not overrotating, you’re not going too far back, your head is staying over your bellybutton. You’re getting this back hip loaded and there’s a little bit of a turn in your hip. You’re showing the bottom of your shoe to the pitcher, not just up and down. This doesn’t actually address the up and down, they can do it up and down and be in good balance. We want to get that knee turned in just a little bit, show the bottom of the shoe to the pitcher. And again, work this until they get it before you move on to the transfer.

BVSA Teaches: Balance Beam for Lo

Contact Us!

Here at BV Sports Academy, we are a passionate group of dedicated baseball and softball instructors with some pretty impressive resumes. More importantly we have been educated by Bobby Valentine himself. We teach a proven curriculum that has developed some of the finest talent in our area, and we’re just getting started. We’re have been blessed to be joined by some of the top programs around when it comes to other sports like lacrosse and soccer. Parties for all ages, we do those too! There is something for everyone at BVSA. We look forward to helping all athletes become the best they can be. If you would like to book anything or have any further questions, please email info@bvacademy.com 

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Jack Nolan – First County Bank Athlete of the Month

 

Bobby Valentine’s First County Bank Athlete of the Month for August is Jack Nolan. Jack is currently in eighth grade and playing for Mitch Hoffman and the Connecticut Baseball Club.

“Getting to coach Jack this year was an absolute pleasure. I have never come across a player with a better mindset than Jack. He was a leader on and off of the field and the definition of a true teammate. I am looking forward to years ahead with him!!” – Mitch Hoffman, CTBC Coach

You can find Jack all over the infield, from the pitcher’s mound to behind the dish to the hot corner. His summer was highlighted by playing tournaments with his team in Omaha, Nebraska and Hoover, Alabama, and winning the Perfect Game Northeast Tournament in Newark, New Jersey.

When not on the baseball diamond, Jack is at BVSA training either with the bat in his hands or working out in the gym.

“Jack and I have been working together for the past year and it has been an absolute pleasure. He is an incredibly talented baseball player with a serious power factor but what really makes him special is the person he is. He comes to every session in a great mood, with a positive attitude and enthusiasm to continue to improving. The combination of that attitude and his skill set is going to take him a very long way and I look forward to being a part of it! Congratulations Jack, well deserved!” Frank Ramppen, BVSA Managing Partner

In addition to baseball, Jack plays basketball in the fall and winter for High Rise and Darien Y Travel. During his downtime, chances are he’s either playing MLB The Show or watching some combination of the New York Yankees, Cleveland Browns, and Cleveland Cavaliers.

We here at BVSA want to congratulate Jack once more for earning this honor of First County Bank Athlete of the Month for August. We know Jack has big goals to play at the highest levels through high school and college, and we admire his dedication to the process of always looking to get even bigger and better. We can’t wait to see where Jack goes from here, congratulations again Jack!

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BVSA Teaches: High Jump Drill

BVSA Teaches: High Jump Drill

On this episode of BVSA Teaches, Frank Ramppen talks about another drill for balance and getting to the correct stance. This drill is having them jump into position and I have a chair that I’ll show you in a second. Have the kids take a couple of steps and jump as high as they can in the air and come down and land in a balanced position. Most times they’re going to land in a nice base position where their legs are roughly shoulder-length and they’re definitely going to bend their knees. And if they don’t then you have to teach them, explain to them what you want to do. This is if they don’t do it naturally but most kids will do it naturally.  Then you can put the bat in their hands and have them look at the pitcher and get a feel for where that stance is.

Advanced Version

A little more advanced, obviously requires someone watching but get them to get up on a chair. Bring a chair over to the cage or the field or even a bucket, buckets wobble a little bit but again tell them to jump in the air and land. And when they land, they bend and now stand up a little bit and now you’re in a nice position. So simple little things to get the kids to feel their balance, to feel their weight. Getting their head over their bellybutton, inside, shoulder-length apart. For the BAP’s, your clients, do it at the beginning of your lessons or the beginning of your BAP’s. Have them feel it until they do it correctly, keep repping it, alright.

BVSA Teaches: High Jump Drill

Contact Us!

Here at BV Sports Academy, we are a passionate group of dedicated baseball and softball instructors with some pretty impressive resumes. More importantly we have been educated by Bobby Valentine himself. We teach a proven curriculum that has developed some of the finest talent in our area, and we’re just getting started. We’re have been blessed to be joined by some of the top programs around when it comes to other sports like lacrosse and soccer. Parties for all ages, we do those too! There is something for everyone at BVSA. We look forward to helping all athletes become the best they can be. If you would like to book anything or have any further questions, please email info@bvacademy.com 

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BVSA Teaches: Balance Beam Drill

BVSA Teaches: Balance Beam Drill

For this episode of BVSA Teaches, Frank Ramppen will be talking about the balance beam drill. Another good drill for teaching kids the proper stance and balance are the balance beams that we have here. Just have the kid get on to the balance beam, slightly wider than shoulder length or about shoulder length. And again, it forces the student to get their weight in here in that pyramid position.

Some kids could just easily hop up here and be balanced. The biggest thing is getting them to bend their knees a little bit and feel that weight in here. Some of them are going to really struggle at first, some it will be easy. Once they get it, you have them hold the bat up in their stance, maybe have them look at the pitcher and just get the feel of their head being over their bellybutton and their weight being in here.

It’s a simple little drill, again, for the BAP’s, maybe it’s a station at the very beginning. Also, when you’re rotating through and the kids are doing their tee work and their front toss, you can have them standing on the balance beam. For private clients, maybe every lesson starts with this until they get that good stance that is comfortable for them. 

BVSA Teaches: Balance Beam Drill

Contact Us!

Here at BV Sports Academy, we are a passionate group of dedicated baseball and softball instructors with some pretty impressive resumes. More importantly we have been educated by Bobby Valentine himself. We teach a proven curriculum that has developed some of the finest talent in our area, and we’re just getting started. We’re have been blessed to be joined by some of the top programs around when it comes to other sports like lacrosse and soccer. Parties for all ages, we do those too! There is something for everyone at BVSA. We look forward to helping all athletes become the best they can be. If you would like to book anything or have any further questions, please email info@bvacademy.com 

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BVSA Teaches: Foot Print Drill

BVSA Teaches: Foot Print Drill

For this episode of BVSA Teaches, Frank Ramppen talks about the foot print drill.  A really simple drill or practice for a young kid and his balance is the rubber foot print we have here. We have them downstairs and upstairs in the facility. These you can just put down at the proper distance based on the height of the kid. This will be a little bit wider than shoulder length. Have them stand on there and hold the bat and get an understanding of where their feet should be.

Next you can talk about the pyramid there and getting their weight in to the inner part of their leg. Keep it really simple so that they have an understanding. Sometimes kids have to see it over and over again, so for the BAP’s maybe this is a station. For a private lesson, you start with this every lesson just to get your client to understand that’s where they need to be each time they step into the batter’s box.

BVSA Teaches: Foot Print Drill

Contact Us!

Here at BV Sports Academy, we are a passionate group of dedicated baseball and softball instructors with some pretty impressive resumes. More importantly we have been educated by Bobby Valentine himself. We teach a proven curriculum that has developed some of the finest talent in our area, and we’re just getting started. We’re have been blessed to be joined by some of the top programs around when it comes to other sports like lacrosse and soccer. Parties for all ages, we do those too! There is something for everyone at BVSA. We look forward to helping all athletes become the best they can be. If you would like to book anything or have any further questions, please email info@bvacademy.com 

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Cassie Robotti – First County Bank Athlete of the Month

 

Bobby Valentine’s First County Bank Athlete of the Month for July is Cassie Robotti. Cassie started playing baseball at the age of five, and it quickly became her passion. She took that passion all the way to her freshman year of high school, before turning over to softball.

Cassie was dominating the field from the age of ten, switching back and forth between the pitcher’s mound and shortstop position. After winning districts that year as an all-star, she went on to be an all-star the following two years as well. The switch to softball came when the Stamford High softball coach approached her with the idea of becoming the starting shortstop on the varsity team. Hesitant at first, Cassie decided to make the move.

That winter, Cassie tried out and made the BVSA Lady Titans. Fast forward to her sophomore year, her first full softball season, she made Second Team All FCIAC.

A torn labrum in the fall of her junior year kept her off the field for a while as it required surgery and fifteen weeks of physical therapy. But Cassie bounced right back…

Despite playing only half the season, Cassie earned First Team All FCIAC and was named the only captain of the Stamford High Black Knights. Her current batting average is .419 with a .538 OBP.

Cassie is currently a rising senior and a Honors Student at Stamford High School, and looking to continue her playing career into college. The plan is to play while earning a degree in Physical Education and Health, and the dream is to coach softball after graduating college.

“Cassie exemplifies the meaning of being a great player and teammate. This kid has always been a die hard player since joining Lady Titans. Since bouncing back from her torn labrum injury Cassie has shown nothing but grit and determination. She never let her injury get in the way of her success. Cassie is an excellent hitter and a force to be reckoned with on the base paths. She is everything that a coach looks for in a player.” – Coach Beezer

Cassie’s favorite team is the New York Yankees, her favorite player being Aaron Judge. When she is not on the softball field or watching a Yankees game, she enjoys going to the beach, walking her puppies, and hanging out with friends.

We here at BVSA want to congratulate Cassie once more for earning this honor of First County Bank Athlete of the Month for July. The admiration we have for both the desire to play baseball as long as she could, combined with the resiliency to fight back from injury is outstanding. We look forward to continuing to see Cassie around BVSA and can’t wait what she does at the next level!

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BVSA Teaches: Balance Disk Drill for Load

BVSA Teaches: Balance Disc Drill for Load

On this episode of BVSA Teaches, Frank Ramppen talks about the balance disc drill for load. Getting on these discs really makes you lock in, engage your legs, engage your core, and get into a balanced position. So now you’re here, you’re in that nice balanced position. Now you’ve got to work on that load, and this is even harder than the balance beam. So you work on that load here. Again, you’ve got to be doing it with a nice rhythm, keeping that head over the center of your body. You should be showing the bottom of your shoe to the pitcher, whether it’s small or big. 

Some kids can do this more easily than others, making sure you’re not rocking back out here; you’ll fall. Head gets too far out front, you’ll fall over here. Your head gets too far back; you’ll fall over there. So it forces you to stay in balance throughout that move, making sure you’re getting that weight into this back hip so you’re ready.

And that’s going to happen, and guys, make this fun. The kids love this. Make it fun, but keep them going. Fun lessons are good lessons. They’re going to want to repeat them, but keep going and keep them on track to keep working it until they really get it. And this drill, like a lot of the drills for stance, for balance, for load, for transfer which we’re going to get to, if you put the mirror right in front of them out here so they can look at themselves, and when you are telling them when you’re giving them that positive reinforcement that yes, that’s how it should feel, now they know how it feels. The mirror in front of them is going to show them how it looks, so any positive reinforcement that you can give, do it.

BVSA Teaches: Balance Disc Drill for Load

Contact Us!

Here at BV Sports Academy, we are a passionate group of dedicated baseball and softball instructors with some pretty impressive resumes. More importantly we have been educated by Bobby Valentine himself. We teach a proven curriculum that has developed some of the finest talent in our area, and we’re just getting started. We’re have been blessed to be joined by some of the top programs around when it comes to other sports like lacrosse and soccer. Parties for all ages, we do those too! There is something for everyone at BVSA. We look forward to helping all athletes become the best they can be. If you would like to book anything or have any further questions, please email info@bvacademy.com 

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Jackson Koeppl – First County Bank Athlete of the Month

Bobby Valentine’s First County Bank Athlete of the Month for June is nine year old Jackson Koeppl. Jackson first started playing baseball three years ago when he was six years old, and was almost immediately thrown a curveball. The COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on his spring 2020 New Canaan rec baseball season, but that did not stop him from continuing to practice and progress.

Jackson played constantly with his Dad in the backyard, doing anything from swinging a bat to long tossing. He was able to restart rec ball in the fall before joining 8U New Canaan Travel Baseball in spring 2021. As his commitment to baseball grew, Jackson wanted to go a step further and began training with BVSA this past January. His last six months can be summed up by his latest Spring Championship Game for his 9U New Canaan team.

Jackson came in to pitch in the 2nd inning with his team already down 4-0 to Danbury on their home field. Ten strikeouts later, he and his teammates were putting medals around their necks celebrating a 10-4 victory. Jackson pitched five innings and only allowed one baserunner, a sixth inning single. His final line read…

5 IP, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 H, 10 Ks, W

“His stuff is electric. He is in complete control mentally when he takes the mound, regardless of the results. He can be dominant or he can be hit hard, his body language and his mindset does not change at all. I have never seen someone so young and understand this game so well.” – Joe Wanderlingh, BVSA Instructor and New Canaan Coach

Not only does he help himself with his demeanor, but he wears off on the rest of the team. The excitement and joy on his face when he plays is truly contagious. He loves the game, his teammates, and helping his team any way he can.

Jackson is a soon to be fifth grader that really excels in the classroom. When he is not playing baseball, he is definitely playing some other sport like flag football, basketball, and skiing.

As if that wasn’t enough for him, he continues to challenge himself and take on new things like archery, ninja warrior obstacle courses, and chess. He loves rooting for a wide variety of different teams like the New York Yankees, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, and Florida Gators.

We here at BVSA want to congratulate Jackson once more for earning this honor of First County Bank Athlete of the Month for June. His progress in such a short amount of time is truly inspiring, and it is clear that this is just the beginning for Jackson. We are so excited to continue watching him grow and lead by example for everyone that takes the field with him!

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The Overlooked Importance of In-Season Training

 

In-season training has long been a controversial topic for athletes and teams.

Many coaches have long believed that when their athletes are in-season, their sport should be their only focus. But as the season progresses, what happens?

The common issues of production output and injuries rear their head and cause problems to most of the roster. Therefore, in-season training has become a huge focus throughout the industry and can be seen prominently throughout most college and professional athletics.

This is why I have always been confused as to why High School and Youth athletics neglect to keep training throughout the season. Is it fear of being tired or sore from a workout? Fear of cutting into practice time? Or just lack of education?

At BVT LAB, we have made it a focus to educate our clients on the importance of keeping a consistent training schedule once the season starts.

Now, this schedule does look very different from our off-season programs. Our protocols are vastly different because we have to tailor our program to the stress and demands of the season. But, we make sure that our athletes train throughout the season to maintain and elevate their performance.

What are the main goals with in-season training?

 

1. Injury Prevention/ Maintain Mobility and Flexibility:

While all of our programming throughout the whole training process is always centered around injury prevention, our in-season protocols ask for even more attention to injury prevention. We do this with a multitude of exercises that help increase flexibility and mobility. We also pay extra attention to our CNS activation and corrective exercises so that athletes perform to their optimal performance levels on game day.

 

2. Maintain power and performance (maximal strength):

Skipping out on the weight room for the entirety of the season can have significant detrimental effects on an athlete’s strength levels. The stronger an athlete is, the more force they can produce. The more force they can produce, the faster they’ll run, the higher they’ll jump, and the harder they’ll hit.

The residual effects of a power phase (which most coaches should be putting their athletes through before the season ) are sometimes only 6-8 weeks after the athletes stop performing the phase. So it’s vital for athletes to continue training in order to maintain their power throughout the season.

Consider this: In the week leading up to Super Bowl LI, the New England Patriots were squatting 80% of their max. They were 20-plus weeks into their season by that point, but they knew how important their weight room work was to their continued success. For what it’s worth, the Patriots went on to win that game after overcoming a 25-point deficit.

 

3. Manage fatigue, limit muscle soreness, and improve recovery from games:

The main goal for all athletes during the season is day-to-day game performance. One major way to help with this is to manage the volume of both practice and training.

Most coaches are not going to move their practice times around to help manage athletes’ fatigue. This means it’s pivotal to limit the amount of fatigue that occurs in the weight room, while still trying to achieve the ultimate goal of keeping power production with the athletes. Focusing on strength and power rep ranges for the proper amount of sets will give athletes just the right amount of stimulus without creating fatigue or injuries.

Another problem that occurs during the season is muscle soreness and decreased range of motion. Two surefire ways to elicit soreness for athletes are excessive eccentric loading and introducing too many new exercises during the season.

We still want to control the weight, but focus should be more on the concentric strength component rather than attempting to overload the eccentric contraction. Too much volume can cause micro-traumas in the muscle that can result in additional soreness. New exercises can also bring about DOMS (delayed-onset muscle soreness) as athletes’ bodies trying to adapt to new stimuli.

 

Although all in-season programs depend on a multitude of factors such as scheduling, time commitment, sport, athletes needs, etc., we typically suggest that athletes still train 2-3 days a week to accomplish all the goals we have listed above.

In conclusion, if an athlete or team wants to be able to accomplish their ultimate goals of winning a championship and playing to the best of their abilities, it’s imperative that they train throughout the season

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Kevin Bruggeman – First County Bank Athlete of the Month

Bobby Valentine’s First County Bank Athlete of the Month for May is Hofstra University’s starting catcher, Kevin Bruggeman.

“The kid has always been obsessed with putting in the work. The sacrifices and growth we’ve seen him make over the years combined with his instincts, natural talent and genuine love for the game are infectious. He’s constantly raising the bar for everyone around him. It’s no surprise that he just put himself in the NCAA and Hofstra baseball record books. Can’t wait to see what he does next!” – Anthony Conte, BVSA Director

What Anthony is referring to is the latest NCAA D1 Regional round of the 2022 College Baseball World Series. Hofstra made its way into the postseason for the first time ever after winning the 2022 CAA Championship, and faced off against the tenth nationally ranked team in the country, the University of North Carolina.

Bruggeman batted third and came up to hit in the top of the first with two outs and nobody on base. He took two close pitches just off the plate to put himself in a favorable 2-0 count. The next pitch made Hofstra history. Bruggeman’s home run was the first hit, run, RBI, and home run in Hofstra postseason history.

“It’s UNC, they weren’t going to do anything fancy 2-0, so I was just looking for a fastball.” – Bruggeman

 

Bruggeman’s hard work and dedication were already being recognized leading up to this moment. He was named to the All-American D1 Baseball Strength & Conditioning team. On the season, he hit .330 in conference play with 4 HR and 21 RBI, and finished tied for second on the team in hits (33).

To take it a step further, Bruggeman was named captain during his junior and senior years at Trumbull High School. He was the first junior captain in Trumbull High School history!

Bruggeman’s ties to BVSA go back to the days of Fury, where he played since 2013. His mother Danielle Simoneau has also been a softball coach at BVSA since its inception in the fall of 2006.

“Kevin exemplifies everything you want a player to be. He plays with passion, energy and a level above most around him. His grit and determination are looked up to by his teammates and opponents. He works at his craft like no other and it shows on the field. His efforts and production helped lead our team to multiple tournament championships and tremendous experiences for all of us. It seemed like whenever we needed a big hit or a big play, Kev delivered. He has a great appreciation for the game and although an intense competitor, there’s always a smile and a joy for the game.” – Frank Ramppen, BVSA Managing Partner

We here at BVSA want to congratulate Kevin once more on earning this honor of First County Bank Athlete of the Month for May. His drive and commitment to mastering his craft have put him in the Hofstra record books, and the best part of that is this is only the beginning… We cannot wait to see what he does next!