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Reaction Training = Challenge and Fun
By Christina | August 8, 2008
Always on the lookout for new and fun (yes, fun) ways to train I was looking through various training sites and found a funny shaped ball called the Reaction Ball. Some reaction balls are multi faceted, others have lumps and bumps, and some have cone shapes on one end. What I read was you can use this alone or with a partner by tossing the ball and catching it within one bounce. Seems easy in theory until you realize the ball can go anywhere and you have very little time to react which means your entire body is on alert for the split second after the bounce to, well, react.
So many trainers don’t even think about “reactions” as they could possibly pertain to a strength and conditioning program however I think it would be a fantastic tool to link the gap between agility and quickness. Reaction is a key component of sports excellence when you realize that the following are all examples of a reaction to a stimulus: swinging at a sinking curve ball, eluding a tackle and making a catch, letting a ball bounce ever so close to the outside of a line.
Good vision does not necessarily mean good reaction time. Imagine having 90 mph bat speed in baseball and still not being a good hitter. The quick bat doesn’t really help if a batter swings after the ball is in the catcher’s glove. It is said that a great hitter can read the spin on the ball as it leaves the pitcher’s hand. This lets him know if it will be a curveball, fastball, etc. and respond appropriately, that’s reaction to a stimulus.
Adding reaction ball training to your workouts may not make you an all-star or pro bowl player but it will improve your reaction to stimulus in sports and is it a lot of fun at a low cost or about $10 a ball.
Topics: Exercise, General, Personal Training |
