When your child is actively participating in softball or baseball training, their coaches will often use the words mobility and flexibility. While these words may seem interchangeable because they both deal with moving as efficiently as possible during a game, they are not the same concept. Below is a brief guide to give you an idea of how these practices play a part in your young athlete's range of motion. 

Mobility

When talking about how a joint moves, the term used is mobility. This measures how well an athlete can throw a ball, sprint to the base, and perform other tasks. This concept refers to the ability of a joint to actively move through a range of motion to get to an intended position or achieve a certain posture. Joint stability, strength, and tissue length all play a part in how mobile an athlete is. When an athlete has better mobility, they can easily change direction and give their movements power, which is a key part of softball and baseball training.

Flexibility

Flexibility is an aspect of mobility, as it refers to a muscle or muscle group's ability to stretch, or lengthen, to passively complete a range of motion without pain. When it comes to flexibility, an athlete's range of motion depends on the mobility of muscles, tendons, joint capsules, and ligaments encircling a joint. To prevent these soft tissues from shortening, your child should stretch before softball or baseball training. Doing so prevents fatigue from setting in and reduces their risk of injury.

How to Improve Mobility

As flexibility is incorporated into mobility, improving mobility will also increase the ability of soft tissues to lengthen. For your child to excel in softball or baseball, they should increase their hip mobility. This is a crucial aspect because hip rotation assists pitching, hitting, and throwing. When hip joints can complete a motion smoothly, less stress is placed on shoulder and elbow joints to complete an action. Increasing mobility in the upper back is also necessary because it will help your child remain energized when swinging a bat or tossing a ball. For a catcher to hold a squatting position, they must strengthen the range of motion in their ankles.

When your child needs softball or baseball training to improve their athletic abilities, contact The Cages Training Facility in Phoenix, AZ. With years of experience coaching youth players, the instructors at this local training facility offer hitting lessons, batting practice, clinics, and camps. Call (602) 923-0607 to speak with an instructor about their private lessons. Visit them online for more information about their membership options.