Major leagues, little leagues, college, and prep school - it’s always the same - injuries continually cutting rosters off at the knees and creating lasting damage to promising players. The worst part about it though, is that the majority of these injuries can easily be prevented.

Step 1: WARM UP. I can’t stress this enough. Getting muscles loose and warm is key.

Step 2: SET LIMITS. Players don’t want to come out of a game or quit the field, but it’s important to know when it’s time for just that. Keep track of how much time your players are putting in and how their bodies are responding. Many of the injuries orthopedic surgeons are seeing are a direct result of players pushing their bodies too hard.

Step 3: PULL THEM OUT. If a player is complaining of pain during practice, or is visibly hurt during a game, remove them from the action. Pushing a player, especially at a young age, is a major no-no. I’ve heard things as outlandish as, “I didn’t want to upset the parents,” - but trust me. Parents will be a lot more upset when their child tears their rotator cuff and is out of the sport for life.

So often we find ourselves rained out of not only practices, but also games. The team is there, the time is carved out, but the field is soggy and we’re forced inside. Coaches ask me all the time, “How can we make the most of those situations? Are there certain things to do indoors that can help our players more than others?” The answer is yes.

The hardest part about practicing indoors is that you don’t have much room to work with the ball. Fortunately, there are some products out there that can be used indoors that still provide grand slam results. StrikeOut Strippz (SOS) for one allows players to practice their pitches/throws without taking out a glass window or pulling up because of space limitations. It’s actually a unique product in that you don’t need a ball. SOS allows players to practice to improve while having no risk of injury.

Often indoor drills are new to players and that puts them at risk of injuring un-used muscles, so it’s important to be consistent in their indoor and outdoor practices. The most important thing is to make sure the team is still warming up, still following a routine, and still going home a little sharper.