Why am I talking about sleep? Well, recently I went in to see a nose doctor to get a blood vessel cauterized. I was getting too many nose bleeds. The blood vessel was to thin… at least something was thin on my body.

Anyway, after a talk with the doctor about my nose, sinuses, etc, the next thing I know, I’m going in to get a sleep study at a local clinic. Weird.

I was reluctant at first, but after it was done, I was so glad I did the test. I won’t bore you with all the details, but I am now getting a great nights sleep and I’m full of energy the next day.

What I have learned along the way is how really important proper sleep is to every function of our body. From your brain, your immune system, the ability to handle stress, your mood, and a lot more. I’ve copied some benefits of good sleep below from a website on the subject.

Sleep and Concentration

When people do not have enough sleep, they cannot concentrate well the next day and have problems forming memories. Researchers believe that during sleep, neurons can shut down and repair any damage done during the day. Without these repairs, the neurons may not function correctly due to a buildup of waste products. Sleep also seems important for the formation of memories.

Growth and Repair

Important hormone production is regulated during sleep; in children, human growth hormone (HGH) is released during deep sleep. Insufficient sleep can affect hormonal balance in adults as well. Tissue repair also occurs during sleep, including repair to the daily skin damage done by UV light. Getting enough deep sleep will help your skin repair itself.

So, how does this relate to the youth baseball player? Well, all the repair from your workouts, competition, and whatever else you are doing happens during the quality sleep. If you haven’t repaired properly, then you will always be in a deficit. Not to mention you won’t make the gains with the workout you have done.

It’s like taxes, you make $100, and end up with $70 in your paycheck. You think, man, I’ve worked hard for the $100, I would like all the benefit.

You work hard in the weight room, or doing drills, or running, and you want all the benefit. Not getting proper rest will result in not getting all your benefit.

So, listen to your mom or dad, get your rest, eat right, and work out hard!

Until next time…

Train and Sleep Like a Champion Today!

Coach Bill Mooney

I received this great question from a high school coach in South Carolina recently. He asks about lifting and competing on the same days.

Here’s what Coach Elliott has to say…

“Hey Coach…I am Toby Elliott, the head baseball coach for Blacksburg High School in Blacksburg South Carolina. We have a teams sports class that some of my players are taking. It is basically a weight lifting class. From my understanding the lifting coach (he is a football coach at our school) is going to make players lift on game day (circuit training with light weight). Before I ask you your opinion as in to “corner” you for your opinion…I believe it is a bad idea. I have lifted weights all of my athletic career, even now at age 39 I lift five days a week, twice a day. I try to keep updated on the latest information, techniques, etc. Our program is a very competitive program. I worry about fatigue (if not early, at the end when momentum is crucial for playoffs or regions championship) and of course I worry about injury. I can’t see where it will actually help us win games, but I can see the potential of hurting us. I can’t dictate who should and shouldn’t b/c most are pitchers and the guys not starting may end up pitching relieve…I worry about refueling the body with the proper carbs/protein and recovery factors. I am not asking for them to sit….They can wipe down weights, spot other lifters, walk, I have some solo drills they could do, stretching, a number of things they could do and be graded on…What about the day after? Lower body only?…I understand the concept of going light during the season (to preserve muscle built during off season) What about days of bull pen work during practice? I am asking several people that I respect in the game of baseball and I need your thoughts before I go to the lifting coach, administration, and whoever else I need to go see to protect what we have built at Blacksburg. Basically what does your baseball team do….thanks…toby Elliott”

Coach, this is a great question. My short answer…don’t do it.

I feel you are correct in your judgment with the fatigue issue. I also agree with you that the off-season is the time to get into better shape. In-season, the player is trying to maintain.

Also, it takes time to recover from a great lifting session. More than a day. Especially with pitchers. I would say they should have two days of rest in their shoulder area before throwing heavily or competing. Probably even three days rest during the season.

I agree with you that working on some great flexibility exercises early in the day might be ok, but you still run the risk of fatigue as well as getting tight all over again.

I say game days are for competing. Off days are for recovery.

I wonder, does this football coach have the kids to a full workout on game days during the football season?

Coach Elliott, good luck with talking with the football coach and administration. Let me know if I can be of any help.

Remember, come from what they care about first. Then it should open up the conversation and they should ask what you care about.

Your players are lucky to have you as a coach.

I would also pay attention to the type of lifting they are doing. Traditional football lifting isn’t necessarily the best for baseball players.

Good luck and…

Train like a champion today!

Bill Mooney

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