How to use Technology and Analytics to Develop Softball Pitchers - Josh Johnson

Josh Johnson, who joined Mississippi State's staff on August 27, 2019, has improved the Bulldogs' player development strategy using advanced technology and analytics.

Josh is the recruiting coordinator and the Associate Head Softball Coach at Mississippi State University.

He is working on research using motion capture technology with State's Athlete Engineering department while getting his PhD in biomechanics at Mississippi State.

In today’s episode, Josh, being one of the most progressive minds in softball, talks about his experiences and knowledge of applying biomechanics and advanced technology in softball. He also mentions that visualization and mental imagery has to be trained and that it takes practice to get good at it.

Furthermore, Josh points out the importance of movement. He mentions that learning to move correctly in the weight room is huge. Talking about and understanding how to move properly, according to Josh Johnson, is the easiest way to get better faster.

Here is a free presentation on How to Help Softball Hitters be on Time: https://patrickjonesbaseball.com/softballtiming

SHOW NOTES

[03:07] What are your thoughts on visualization and do you promote that to your players?

[06:40] Can you take us through what mean by goal setting for your players?

[11:45] What is the set up for posting your plans in order for everybody to see?

[13:04] Why did you pick softball over baseball?

[16:12] When did you have time to work on your PhD when you are doing other jobs as the college coach?

[19:00] Out of all the languages, why did you choose to learn Japanese?

[20:11] How is your motion capture lab work? Is it markerless?

[24:11] Do you think that in the next three to five years, the softball world will be basically where baseball is right now in terms of players?

[27:20] Have you seen and done any research regarding fastpitch softball like TPI OnBaseU?

[30:06] What are some things that softball pitchers, based on the data that you've seen or maybe have collected, should be focusing on in high school right now?

[34:58] What is your take on weighted balls for softball pitchers?

[37:34] First thing that high school pitchers should know is the importance of getting a movement screen and knowing yourself from a moving standpoint.

[37:42] Would you say that finding somebody who has a background in softball or just OnBaseU certified, TPI, or something to do this movement screen, or do you think that just the average strength coach knows enough to be able to help them with that?

[40:46] What are some velocity numbers that you typically see for some of your pitchers that are coming in as freshmen?

[40:26] Are there any cues that you hear on the pitching side that don’t ever really help but you hear them time and time again?

[47:00] Do you use a lot of video when you're trying to show changes to a player that you want them to make?

[53:03] What’s your take on player plans when your players show up every day?

FOLLOW JOSH:

Twitter: @jjpower19

Instagram: @jjpower19

Email: [email protected]

Book: Tend to Grow

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