Taconic Little League Coaches Presentation

1
Taconic Little League Coaches Presentation

• Ryan Stevens, ATC, CSCS
• Spring 2008

2
Introduction

• What is going to be covered in this presentation?
• Injury Prevention
• Management of Common Athletic Injuries
• Throwing Drills for Players
• Important Things to Remember
• M.O.S.T. Free Evaluations

3
Injury Prevention

• Nutritional considerations
• Hydration
• Attempt to drink 64-80 ounces of water/day (not
  including what you drink while at practice/games)
• Water is essential for all biochemical functions
  in the body, and dehydration is one of the most
  common causes of acute decreased sports
  performance.
• Just because you are not thirsty does not mean
  that your body does not need water.
• Athletes should try to drink a least 32 extra
  ounces on days when long, intense practices or
  events are occurring.
• 8 ounces before playing
• 8 ounces every hour.
• Also, try to avoid caffeinated drinks while
  exercising
• Caffeine has a diuretic effect can lead to
  dehydration

4
Injury Prevention

• Nutritional considerations
• Nutritional status can play a large part in
  performance!
• Athletes require plenty of energy eat often
  (5-6x/day!)
• Especially important to have something to eat
  within 1 hour of finishing practice or game
  replace lost nutrients and fuel the body for
  recovery!
• Foods selection and recommendations
• Be sure to check out Nutritional Recommendations
  for Athletes on Taconic Little League Website

5
Injury Prevention

• Proper Warm-up
• Dynamic warm-up
• Why do it?
• Increase blood flow to the muscles, increasing
  core body temperature
• Activates muscle groups and stimulates the
  nervous system
• Increases joint mobility
• Increases coordination and balance
• Studies show that it decreases chance of injury
• Be sure to check out the complete recommended
  Dynamic Warm-up on the Taconic Little League
  Website!

6
Injury Prevention

• Stretching
• More important following vs. before activity
• Can be utilized before activity (after warm up)
  when dealing with tight or sore muscles
• Hold stretches for 15 seconds, 2 times each

7
Management of Common Athletic Injuries

• Heat-related illness
• Most common type Heat cramps
• Red flags
• Stomach/Muscle cramps
• Light headedness, dizziness, headache, nausea
• Lethargy
• Feinting
• Altered or loss of consciousness
• Heavy sweating
• Red, hot, dry skin

8
Heat-Related Illness

• Initial Care of Heat Cramps
• HYDRATE!!
• Ice packs on cramping muscles, light stretching
• If not noticed early, can lead to heat exhaustion
  or even heat stroke
• Remove from heat get into Air Conditioned
  building if possible
• Cool body using cool towels, ice, water
• Seek medical attention immediately if
• Loss of or altered consciousness
• Athlete appears to be acting not like
  him/herself
• Stop sweating (dry hot red skin)
• Vomiting/Dry heaves

9
Heat-Related Illness

• Return to play criteria
• If simply heat cramps - next day if fully
  recovered and properly rehydrated (may have some
  muscle soreness)
• Advanced heat illness clearance needed by
  physician

10
Common Athletic Injuries

• Head injury (concussion)
• Red flags can show up initially, or take days
  or weeks to appear.

11
Head Injury (Concussion)

• Initial Care
• Seek medical attention right away if you think
  the athlete may have a concussion. Better to err
  on the side of caution. Allow trained
  professional to decided severity of case
• Keep athlete out of play. Concussions take time
  to heal. Do not let the athlete return to play
  until cleared by a physician.
• Returning too soon poses a greater risk of a
  recurrent, more serious concussion which may
  cause permanent brain damage or, in some severe
  cases, death.
• Make sure all of the athletes coaches are aware
  of the concussion and when s/he will be permitted
  to return to participation.
• Remind your athlete Better to miss a few games
  than to miss an entire seasonor multiple
  seasons.
• Return to play criteria Determined by qualified
  healthcare professional.

12
Common Athletic Injuries

• Joint sprain
• Common types ankle, wrist, foot, elbow, knee,
  finger, foot
• Red flags
• Swelling and/or discoloration
• Loss of motion
• Severe pain impairing function (i.e. limping)
• Initial Care
• R.I.C.E.
• Should not be participating if any red flags
  present
• If leg/ankle injury and limping, make use of
  crutches (even if short term)
• Care for injuries sooner than later minor
  injuries can become serious over time if not
  cared for
• Seek assessment from trained medical professional
  if red flags present for gt3 days (or sooner if
  able)

13
Joint Sprains

• Return to play criteria
• Resolution of red flags
• Normal biomechanics returned (i.e. no limp)
• Minimal (if any) discomfort during play
• Clearance by trained medical professional when
  severe injury occurs

14
Common Athletic Injuries

• Muscle strain
• Common types hamstring, calf, shoulder, back,
  quad
• Red flags
• Swelling and/or discoloration
• Loss of motion due to muscle spasm or torn
  muscle/tendon
• Notable loss of strength in muscle
• Severe pain impairing function

15
Muscle/Tendon Strain

• Initial Care
• R.I.C.E.
• Should not be participating if any red flags
  present
• If leg/ankle injury and limping, make use of
  crutches (even if short term)
• Mild-moderate stretching of muscles around
  injured area as tolerated
• Care for injuries sooner than later minor
  injuries can become serious over time if not
  cared for
• Seek assessment from trained medical professional
  if red flags present for gt3 days (or sooner if
  able)

16
Muscle/Tendon Strain

• Return to play criteria
• Resolution of red flags
• Normal biomechanics returned (i.e. no limp)
• Minimal (if any) discomfort during play
• Clearance by trained medical professional when
  severe injury occurs

17
Common Athletic Injuries

• Overuse injuries
• Common types shin splints, arch pain,
  elbow/shoulder soreness
• Red flags
• Same as with sprains and strains
• Pain that does not decrease and/or resolve after
  proper warm up and stretching

18
Overuse Injuries

• Initial Care
• R.I.C.E.
• Allow time for injured tissue to recover
• Good strategy is 1 week of non-irritating
  activity, then progressive return if pain-free
• Modified activity decrease volume and intensity
  of training to allow pain-free participation
• Stretching and strengthening as appropriate

19
Overuse Injuries

• Return to play criteria
• Variable
• No red flags
• Athlete was given opportunity to rest injured
  body part
• If symptoms return quickly even after resting
  period, seek advice of trained medical
  professional
• May be later rather than sooner in young athletes
  to decrease likelihood of long-term problems

20
Guiding Your Throwing Athletes

• Throwing drills for players
• Emphasis on proper throwing mechanics and body
  mechanics.
• Things to watch for
• Opening too soon
• Lead or stride foot landing too far to the left
  for righty or to the right for lefty (many times
  indicative of opening up too much)
• Do not let ball get behind head in cocked phase
• Lead shoulder to target
• Follow through to opposite shin
• Balanced finish
• BREAK BAD MECHANICAL HABITS AT AN EARLY AGE
  EASIER TO FIX AND LESS POTENTIAL FOR PROBLEMS
  LATER ON!

21
Guiding Your Throwing Athletes

• Drills still focus on above 6 keys
• Elbow toss
• Focus on wrist snap
• Half-kneeling short toss
• Upper body throwing (Standing facing partner)
• Focus on 90 deg upper body turn, proper arm
  mechanics, and follow through
• Crow-hop toss (short long)
• Use entire body to throw!

22
Important Things to Remember

• Follow Little League Baseball National Guidelines
  (updated in 2006) regarding pitchers
• Pitch count Must Keep!
• 17-18 years old 105 pitches per day
• 13-16 years old 95 pitches per day
• 11-12 years old 85 pitches per day
• 10 years and under 75 pitches per day
• Rest periods as outlined in little league
  national guidelines
• NO EXCEPTIONS! Rules are a result of countless
  studies proving a need for a pitch count in young
  athletes!
• http//www.littleleague.org/media/pitch_count_08-2
  5-06.asp

23
Things to Remember

• Promote a focus on pitch location and change of
  speed when working with pitchers.
• Do not teach or promote snap off curve balls,
  sliders, or other special pitches involving
  twisting of the wrist and forearm
• Especially under the age of 14.
• Example Nolan Ryan
• 27 years in the Majors
• Minimal elbow problems
• 4 primary pitches (2 4 seam fastball, circle
  change, and curveball caused by finger pressure
  and release point (no snapping)

24
M.O.S.T. Free Evaluations

• Why take advantage?
• FREE!
• Reassuring
• Expedites quality care and safe return to play!
• Office Hours Locations

Main Office 2 Front St Millbrook NY 12545 Phone
[phone] M-F 830am-700pm
M.O.S.T. _at_ the Training Center 2647 Rt
44 Millbrook NY 12545 Phone [phone] M-F
830 am 530 pm
25
Any Questions?

• ?