NPA Advanced Pitcher & Position Player Training

The West Chester Dragons offers a comprehensive development program with the most advanced training tools and methods. The NPA Advanced Program will complement strength programs by addressing shoulder stability, torque development, and patterning for all pitchers and position players. See below for complete NPA methodology overview.

This program should fit into the overall player development plan for your player. This program does not replace traditional strength training. Players should be prioritizing off-season training, preferable through a supervised program using our partners like Gage, Marinos, or other local athlete training programs.

The NPA Advanced Program program will complement strength programs. This program is not a throwing program, nor is it a lessons based skill building program. We have a variety of instructors that will provide pitching lessons in the offseason.

In addition, in November we will open up NPA STAT test assessments for players that want to understand their current velocity metrics relative to their safe velocity, as well as potential velocity if the shortcomings that we identify are addressed. This is a very valuable and comprehensive tool that will provide both a baseline as well as a roadmap for performance development.

Who is the Advanced Training for?

Players that are serious about putting in the time to make gains during the offseason. Ages 13+.

When?

The Dragons will offer training sessions in the facility at least 4 days a week starting November 28th. Simply sign up for the sessions that work for your schedule.

1x a week is better than nothing, but 2x a week is the recommended minimum, and 3x a week is for the committed athlete looking to build stability in the shoulder and add velocity in the offseason. Every week, I will provide a 1 hour progressive workout that will build functional strength, as well as pattern movements that translate into efficient delivery. In addition, we will make available an ‘at home’ workout that can supplement the in facility training.

Prerequisite

There are no prerequisites. If you have attended a NPA Clinic with Tom House, you will be a step ahead. If it is new to you, we will orient you with the routines and the equipment needed. The Dragons will use proceeds from the fees to purchase equipment that will be used in the facility. If a player would like to purchase bands, weighted balls, or full NPA membership, please follow this link…. https://www.nationalpitching.com/?aff=BRoberts

Cost

Cost per player is $20 per session. Schedule sessions in advance to guarantee a spot.

Sign up link:

This program has been hugely successful over the years. we have offered some version of this program in the off season for over 12 years, and the results speak for themselves. Our goal is to make this as easy as possible for as many players as possible to participate.

Can you Describe the National Pitching Association Training Methods?

NPA training is built to give you a year-round training solution, no matter the season or the environment. It is designed to condition your body to reach maximum capacities, with a science based ‘health first’ approach.

Functional Strength: A form of exercise that focuses on developing strength cross specific to the athlete’s competing movement. It builds strength with mobility, flexibility, agility, and body awareness. It is the best type of strength training for injury prevention and ideal for rotational athletes. All the National Pitching training blocks are Functional Strength builders.

Nerve Pathway Patterning: Our nervous system is the communication pathway from brain to muscle. For our bodies to move correctly, we must train the nerve pathways correctly. All the National Pitching training blocks are based on training proper biomechanical nerve pathways while building strength and joint integrity.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF): Stimulates the neuromuscular system to produce a desired movement with the optimal health of muscle, bone, and connective tissues. PNF makes movements more efficient, safely increases range of motion, controls posture, body awareness, and improves muscle function.

Cross Specificity: When deciding on what type of conditioning is best for an athlete, why would you choose anything not cross specific to your desired action. National Pitching training protocols are cross specific to correct biomechanic variables and the movements of an athlete in competition.

NPA Block Training

Block 1 - Core Temperature Elevation

Block 2 - ArmCare and Recovery

Block 3- Upper Body Flexibilty

Block 4- Nerve Pathway Patterning

Block 5- PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitators

Block 6 - Light Dumbbell

Block 7- Elastic Bands

Block 8- Plyo Balls

Block 9- Velocity Bat / Weighted Balls

We will transition from training to skill work toward the end of the training sessions. Players will be ready to pitch for School tryouts and the President’s Day Vero tournament.