The Importance of Running Mechanics for Baseball and Softball

What good is all your training if your technique is off? Having proper running mechanics can be key to any baseball or softball training program.

There are several components to your running game. Each can affect your overall performance on the field. Frank Velasquez, director of sports performance for Allegheny Health Network, offers a few considerations to keep in mind when you’re breaking down your fundamentals.

The first key component is to make sure that your arms are moving in the same direction as your legs.

“A lot of times, you’ll see kids running or athletes running, and their legs are going forward and backwards, and their arms are going side to side, where their upper body and lower body are working against each other,” Velasquez says.

By keeping your limbs in sync, you’ll be able to get the most out of each stride. “We call it (moving) north and south and not east and west,” Velasquez explains.

Secondly, Velasquez recommends running with a forward lean. This style can help propel you forward and can limit potential wind resistance. Velasquez also stresses the importance of achieving triple extension.

“Which means the extension of the hip, the knee and the ankle all at the same time,” he says. “That’s what is going to propel them forward, and it’s a must when talking about improving your running mechanics.”

Use these tips and tricks in your next speed-training session to get a running start toward greatness on the diamond.