Bridge the Gap 2021 is coming up next weekend!
🗓 December 17-19
🎥 18 Presentations
‼️ Full Access: $199 (price goes up Monday)
Register:
New to the event? Below is a thread that featuring some of the highlights from last year’s event,
#BTG20
.
Creating crossbody tension and stability:
One of the single greatest concepts you can get your athlete to understand. In order to create it you must approach it like learning any new skill/task: start slow and FEEL the move, then synchronize and increase intent and speed.
6 things that will make for an uncomfortable ab:
✅70% strikes
✅Pitch in at the belt
✅Move hitters feet-inside for balls
✅Off speed pitches in fastball counts
✅Common ball flight out of hand
✅Vary tempo and delivery tempo
@JWonCATCHING
@LantzWheeler
#Palooza19
💥🌪PALOOZA CORE VELO BELT DEMO💥🌪
@LantzWheeler
#Palooza19
The single most important pitching drill you can teach your throwers is the hip hinge
Things to look for:
-The eyes 👁
-Stride length/foot positioning
-control of rotation in small spaces
-pelvic stability
We don’t speak in absolutes but from what we have seen, athletes who are able to get to front foot strike with:
✅pelvis closed (relative)
✅both feet in the ground (relative)
✅and arm up ready to throw (relative)
Are able to produce consistently good results more often.
Thanks to
@PitchingNinja
for posting this gif of goose gossage the other day. Can’t stress enough the importance of the intent and purpose this man threw with. But also the ease in which he (and many other of his generation) used his arm.
💥PALOOZA💥
#Palooza19
🌪Lantz Wheeler🌪
🛑your success depends on your communication
🛑to be your best coach you need to focus on training the Central Nervous System
🛑knowledge without application is useless. Application with understanding is dangerous
Another
@PitchingNinja
gif that gets me fired up!! Bob feller wasn’t one of the greatest pitchers ever just bc of his grit. The dude moved w such grace and elegance down the mound. Similar to the analysis of Gossage other day, Feller:
🔺matched plane of rotation of his trunk
🌪💥PALOOZA💥🌪
#Palooza19
@LantzWheeler
@FCorral34
“I throw hard bc i throw hard”
-David Price
✅have a grading system (1-10) to communicate with guys on how they feel. Explain what that grading system looks like and what the numbers mean
🔈THROW ALL THE TIME
Had an awesome weekend w
@108_Performance
and UTA and got some CRAZY results. Great people, established relationships w some amazing dudes and experience I’ll never forget. Good luck to these gents this year and prayers for anyone who thinks they can stand in the way of these
Wanted to hit on a topic that gets overlooked all to often:
Johny Tryhard asks “what drills do I need to do to get better?”
**ITS NOT ABOUT THE DRILL**
It’s about the movement!! Yes a different drill or feel can get the athlete to move differently, but at the end of the day
Had an awesome time talking shop w
@pmpaul3
@JeffSherman26
and
@ryanaenos
the other day! These dudes are the real deal and will keep pushing the envelope of player development for years to come!
Everyone's heard about deGrom & Bieber, but have you heard what Yusei Kikuchi's been doing this season?
If you haven't, you should:👇
Kikuchi might be ⚾️'s hidden gem in '20, but his ERA suggests otherwise.
We were confused too until we looked into it:
🌎WORLD PITCHING CONGRESS🌎
@PitchingWorld
#WPC
Zach Dechant
@ZachDechant
Nueromuscular control and compensation patterns
The body functions by stabilizing and mobilizing. Look into joint by joint approach- Mike Boyle
Went to the LSU vs UW softball game the other day w
@_joeycunha
and saw some very interesting parallels w the pitchers who threw well and the hitters who hit well.
The common denominator was that Into landing their hips STOPPED on a dime and enabled powerful rotation from
One of the most important concepts
@108_Performance
and i see pitchers miss is how their hips are supposed to work. Brady rotates his hips under like a hitter (back hip doesn’t get over lead hip) which affects how he is able to transfer energy into the ball with direction
Hey y’all!
I’ll be speaking at this year’s
#BTG20
virtual event hosted by
@108_Performance
this weekend oct 23-25th
Would love for everyone to come hear me speak!
Access to Live event & recordings after!
Use discount code: SPEAKER15
For 15% off!
Bracing into impact is what allows us to transfer force from one segment of the chain to the next. If you can turn your body into a stable structure at release you will have a better chance of transmitting force into the baseball. Brady has come a long way....
After some great collaboration and convo w
@LantzWheeler
we implemented some cool new ideas about how to use the core velo belt. For those of you who haven’t used it extensively here are some key points u can take away when using it:
@fbr_wes
@_joeycunha
@108_Performance
We have a couple guys this offseason who have done nothing but movement work (back leg, hips, connection, arm) and ZERO pitch design yet their arsenal is the best it’s ever been. Ball is moving as a result of what the body did in all the subsequent moves starting from first move
Too often I see coaches talk about their players and say “he’s almost there, but he hasn’t figured it out yet” or “he isn’t athletic enough for that move”. A major part of our success at
@108_Performance
has been to constantly challenge our process and our system
84mph 12 months ago, 95mph today. When
@PaulSkenes_15
decides he wants something, he gets it. Wanted to gain weight when he started here June 17, by June 18 ⬆️57lbs. Came up to me last year & decided he wanted to work on pitching, ⬆️ 11mph. Kid is a winner.
🌪💥PALOOZA💥🌪
#Palooza19
@LantzWheeler
@EricCressey
You can develop bone density over time.
Team your athletes to move well first
Retroverted hips (natural toes pointing out) should not be flush w the rubber on the mound, they should toe out
Our man
@LantzWheeler
harps on form follows function follows purpose. We discuss the importance of gaining context w your athlete all the time w him. There is nothing you can spend your time working with an athlete on that is more important than getting to know them and their
I don’t post these often but there is no better feeling as a player or a coach than seeing all of the hard work pay off. Part of what makes a coach’s job so gratifying and pure is truly being able to make a lasting impact on our athletes
Porch often struggles w glove side connection. An easy way to get guys to engage the glove side and sequence it w the throwing arm is to give them something to squeeze. We use a small connection ball but u can use a softball also.
THROWING UNLOCK: we use this constraint A LOT. Its use and purpose is very similar to that of a connection ball. Helps keep space between the arm and head for guys who get in too tight and lose space for their arm to catch deep in the turn.
We’ve been saying it for a while but little kids are often times the closest things to big league moves you’ll ever see. They are so clean and pure. Little
@mookiebetts
action here from this stud
Incredible day listening to speakers from the World Pitching Congress
@PitchingWorld
Some great insights and takeaways. And as always
@108_Performance
blew people’s minds haha🔥💪🏼😜
Can’t wait to see what’s in store for day 2!!
Just finished day 1 of the FBR cert w
@RandySullivanPT
and
@fbr_wes
! These guys are amazing resources for anyone in baseball and i love collaborating with them!! Great people and great minds!!
This is Louis Rodriguez. A 15 year old team USA MVP and an absolute work horse. Has been training with us for just under a year but has made huge gains starting at 79 and now running it up to 87-88. Here is a progression from last night that should be eye opening for many of u
A peek at some awesome work by our man Cesar Chavez over the summer. Not many guys get after movement work like he does and it’s part of why he is becoming a very special player to watch! 👀
Nate has been training remotely with us over the winter. Hit a grand slam today and has been blistering balls all over the field this season. So proud of u dude and lucky to be a part of your journey!!
@notreally_Nate
@108_Hitting
@108_pitching
Big man
@BodieParker
with some serious sticks lately in the cage and on the field where it matters. Blending is one of the toughest parts of learning a new move/skill for players. Needs lots of reps and varying difficulty w the end goal of executing off a live pitcher in game.
If u watch Clemens here he braces his energy with the lead hip but does a really good job of getting AROUND the lead hip. Part of this is getting the back hip to rotate over it allowing u to brace force into the ground instead of spinning like a top
The deceleration of the hips helps initiate the catch of the arm. The better the connection between the arm and the trunk the better the decel of the hips will be able to accelerate the ball forward w depth through rotation.
‼️fire ants game/drill‼️
Start 45ft away from the target. If you hit your target you take a step back towards the rubber. Miss, take a step forward.
Compete w a partner to get to the mound. Put something on the line
‼️Pitch off tournaments‼️
12 pitch battles against each other
Benny and the Jets tends to be really jumpy out of his back leg, gets limp wrist, and tries to pinpoint the ball to the target w his fingers (very linear)... in working through arm action and connecting the pieces we have found this drill and other variations to be very helpful
👑EFFICIENCY👑
This is one of the coolest camera views you can use with your athletes. It shows you how energy works away from their body and into the ball.
**NOTE: u need to be utilizing ALL camera angles to truly understand how the athlete is moving**
@LantzWheeler
11 years ago today. So many hopes and dreams came true. Still surreal to say I pitched in the big leagues, especially coming outta East LA. What a day and what a moment for myself and my whole family.
@BlueJays
Very delayed pic but... Any day with
@pmpaul3
and
@CoachSchweissUD
is a good day. Love these two more than they’ll ever know. Life is good when theyre around☺️💪🏼
This is what it’s all about 🔥🔥
The mound is where is has to be good at the end of the day. The more (and sooner) you can make it transfer to the mound the quicker they will get results
There has been more and more research indicating that flat ground throws do not limit stress. Therefore when guys want to experiment with grips or “feels” whatever we have them experiment on the mound.
Couple weeks late but shoutout to
@PaulSkenes_15
for showing up and being a dude. The guy has been throwing 100mph and hitting 450ft nukes at Airforce. If he isn’t on ur radar yet he is now... amazing all around human and ball player.
Proud of u Maverick😜
There is a rhythm and cadence to pitching, like a dance.
One step- in, out, up, down
Two step- in, in, out, up, up, down
Attack the hitter, change tempo and adjust your game plan as the situation dictates
@JWonCATCHING
@LantzWheeler
#Palooza19
We put a bundle together of all of our materials at a discount for the baseball community in lieu of the pandemic and down time for people to invest in their learning and training! Take advantage of the opportunity!!
Coach.. for a limited time we are offering our Level 1 Course Bundle ($999 value), Full Access to The108Way Mentorship Program ($360/year) and a copy of Old School vs New School ($75 Value) for only $399..
This offer won’t last long. Get started here:
Another dude being a dude. Ayden Tauscher is one of many who worked his nuts off these last 12 months and is GOING OFF right now. 16-18 to start the season w a bunch of doubles and ribbies. Time to get out your popcorn ladies and gentlemen. It’s a laser show
We had many responses to the Data Analyst intern position last week and want to give anyone interested one more week to submit a resume to apply! Read overview below for more info!
#THE108WAY
🚨 Data Analysis Intern 🚨
108 Performance is seeking two Data Analyst to join the Baseball Operations department. These individuals will be part of the R&D team and provide research and analysis to support the training and player development staff. (1/2)
🌎Did you miss Bridge The Gap?🌎
✅Access to
#BTG20
presentations AND Q&A for 30+ speakers FOR LIFE
✅use discount code:SPEAKER15 for 15% off!
"
#BTG20
is the conference of the year for forward-thinking baseball coaches!"
To get recordings click ⬇️!!
Big man Pat MacDonald getting some good movement work in over the summer. Our guys understand that movement work is the foundation for us to be able to work on new patterns and get them to blend to the field in the skill specific movements of hitting and throwing
If you haven’t seen this kid before you are missing out.. great human being, ball player and he is doing an excellent job at documenting his remote training process during quarantine. Proud of u Hogate!! Move better everyday!
💥Rotation is rotation! As pitchers, we are primarily rotators. You don’t need to throw to work on rotation. After a high effort day, a low effort throwing and high volume rotation day would be great for recovery while still focusing on your craft!💥
🔥What separates the elites from the novice is their ability to turn off muscles 200% faster
There isn’t an arm care program... the whole thing is the arm care program. EVERYTHING u are doing is affecting EVERYTHING
Fun look at grips and different hand positions on the bat.
@108
@108_Performance
digs into the deep in his book Old School vs New School. We constantly have to tinker w players positions and movements to find “IT” as
@FCorral34
would say!
🌎WORLD PITCHING CONGRESS🌎
@PitchingWorld
#WPC
-Brett Winchester-
DNS Baseball
👉🏼You cannot initiate rotation before front foot strike and effectively capture all of the energy
👉🏼DNS- bring the body back to the stages of the first year of life
🚨Inspired by Dustin Lind, we’ve put together a collection of 14 different movement categories, showcasing the moves we look for through GIFs! We will be updating this weekly.
Log in here 👉🏻
Get Started Here 👉🏻
#The108way
Little gem💎 I found in an explanation of the art of cueing to a coach back in May. Some context follows below.
There is no cue that is right or wrong, that will never or always work. They can work for that player, in that moment in time, for a certain duration of time....
🔥Lesson 6: Having hip range of motion is different than owning hip range of motion.
🔥Lesson 7: view the hip as a torque converter in rotational athletes
-teach front hip pullback and individualize stride length
-it’s not lead leg blocking it’s front hip pullback!!
Although he may have been a max effort guy, his arm looked easy and effortless. The guys w the best arms have the best chances of surviving the longest. Velocity or not,
👑EFFICIENCY IS KING👑
🧩plus 1 minus 2 bullpens
-throw into the 9 hole/catch net and if u hit ur spot you get +1 point, if u miss u lose 2 points. Engages focus and competitive edge
🧩think of lanes like dots and arrows on a bowling lane. Pick the lane and commit
Traditionally physical and skill development have been completely isolated from each other. This doesn’t truly build the athlete. Each needs to feed off the other. Developing the entire athlete means both are in harmony. SKILL DEVELOPMENT is the end game not weight room numbers.
Remember when everyone was talking about this?
Since then: 8.1 IP, 8 ER, 9 BB.😳
Ray's arm might be shorter, but his arm might not have been the problem in the first place. Now it's become a problem.
If only he had something to anchor him down...🤔
💥🌪PALOOZA🌪💥
#Palooza19
@LantzWheeler
Justin Robichaux
🔥6 P’s
Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance
🔥View of the pitching delivery:
@setprosports
and Brent Strohm
Merry go round and Ferris wheel working in perfect synchronization
Cues can be extremely effective when used with the right athlete, at the right time, for the right duration of time, and communicated to them in the right way. Pimping the finish can be described 100 different ways but it helps so many guys it’s worth trying in some way!
The purpose for which something exists can be traced back to the purpose for why it was done.
To find the purpose you must know the purpose... the only way to answer is by asking.
Many times in pitching mechanics, the problem can quickly be traced back to the player's purpose
What do you do when you’re training a
@MLB
athlete who’s been on
@jaegersports
’ long-toss program since he could stand, and your lacrosse days didn’t help your throwing arm to keep up.....new sport?
Bleeck
@108_Performance
has been telling everyone this for too long. Couldn’t agree more brosif. It’s about time people start changing the way they think about bat speed, hip shoulder separation and the way they train their athletes
Some of the best blends come from overhand flips, bp in the cage, bp off a mound, bp from a delivery, controlled live ab’s w pitches called, then true live abs, then game. They don’t have to happen in that order but that is an example of how to get it to transfer!
C-RUSH is one of the most determined players I have ever come across. He has made INCREDIBLE gains this year and would be an immediate bat in any lineup. Please reach out via dm if you have questions or send him an email/dm directly
Versa is 🏆🏆🥇💰 if you haven’t looked into it and the capabilities of the fly wheel you are missing something that will help A TON of your athletes. If you chose not to learn new info, you are consciously choosing to not help one of your athletes..... do what’s best for the kid
‼️Depth of the hinge depends on the mobility of the athlete‼️
*to find the depth of the hinge pretend like u are about to jump to dunk a basketball on a hoop right above u. The depth u get to before the jump is the depth you need to be at in your hinge down the mound*
✅perturbations are key to gaining proprioception
✅changing angles and amount of tension—> more feel and awareness
✅basic fundamental movements like loading the back leg and feeling out the forward move
✅foot positioning and function affects every move in the delivery
Can’t thank
@WMarsh108
enough for all that he is as a human being. He’s kind of like Jesus, to know him is to love him. He’s as good as they come. This years event & its success has a lot to do with all of his hard work putting it together.
@parksy317
is also quickly becoming one
CONNECTION AT FRONT FOOT STRIKE. Jason here is making huge strides in how he is transferring energy. Way more stable and throwing harder with less effort than ever. 13 topping out around 81-2 right now.
Thrilled to announce that I have accepted a Baseball Operations Fellowship with the Cleveland Indians! I look forward to growing with and learning from such a dedicated group.
Big thanks to
@UDallasBaseball
and
@108_Performance
for playing a big part in my development!
There were a lot of guys w “natural” strength or farm strength back in the day. The moves were not always as “clean” or tight as today’s movers. But there were training to be a different kind of athlete. Nonetheless, the best of the best will ALWAYS make it look easy
🧩BODY IS BUILT TO FOLLOW THE EYES🧩
💥body is built to protect
💥Looking down (changing ur eyes) will overload the sensory system and distract from the task
💥however looking down can help guys who throw 12-6 curveballs
💥a lot of alignment problems are traced to the eyes
✅all energy is efficiently transmitted into the ball and his body is left at rest after release
💥YALL HE THREW FUEL AND HE MADE IT LOOK EASY💥
As
@108_Performance
always quotes Serge Gracovetzky, “the fittest of the species makes the most economical use of its energy
Is where the performance comes from
👀Pull more than u push!!
2:1 and even up to a 3:1 ratio
If the shoulder hurts go 3:0
💥make crawling a part of your daily training
-put a cone on their back and if that gets easy add a baseball on top
Space and direction are key! Turns the barrel into the ball and consistently strikes it well. What u work on and how you work on it will show up in your in game results.
This Dude has worked his tail off this past year and hit his first Jack today. So incredibly proud of all the work he has put in and can’t wait to keep watching him stick balls.
@Cchav3z27
#WarOnWatermelons