Taconic Little League Coaches...

Southington Little League

Coaches Presentation Dr. Andrew J Hawley, CSCS

Dr. Nicole M. Porzio-Hawley, MS

Introduction

What is going to be covered

in this presentation? Injury Prevention

Management of Common Athletic Injuries

Throwing Drills for Players

Important Things to Remember

Injury Prevention Free Evaluations

Injury Prevention

Nutritional considerations

Hydration Attempt to drink 64-80 ounces of water/day (not including what

you drink while at practice/games)

Water is essential for all biochemical functions in the body, and dehydration is one of the most common causes of acute decreased sports performance.

Just because you are not thirsty does not mean that your body does not need water.

Athletes should try to drink a least 32 extra ounces on days when long, intense practices or events are occurring.

8 ounces before playing

8 ounces every hour.

Also, try to avoid caffeinated drinks while exercising

Caffeine has a diuretic effect = can lead to dehydration

Injury Prevention

Nutritional considerations

Nutritional status can play a large part in performance!

Athletes require plenty of energy – eat often (5-6x/day!)

Especially important to have something to eat within 1 hour of

finishing practice or game – replace lost nutrients and fuel the

body for recovery!

Foods selection and recommendations

Be sure to check out “Nutritional Recommendations for

Athletes” on Taconic Little League Website

Injury Prevention

Proper Warm-up

Dynamic warm-up

Why do it?

Increase blood flow to the muscles, increasing core body

temperature

Activates muscle groups and stimulates the nervous system

Increases joint mobility

Increases coordination and balance

Studies show that it decreases chance of injury

Be sure to check out the complete recommended

“Dynamic Warm-up” on the Taconic Little League

Website!

Injury Prevention

Stretching

More important following vs. before activity

Can be utilized before activity (after warm up)

when dealing with tight or sore muscles

Hold stretches for 15 seconds, 2 times each

Management of Common Athletic

Injuries

Heat-related illness

Most common type – Heat cramps

“Red flags”

Stomach/Muscle cramps

Light headedness, dizziness, headache, nausea

Lethargy

Feinting

Altered or loss of consciousness

Heavy sweating

Red, hot, dry skin

Heat-Related Illness

Initial Care of Heat Cramps

HYDRATE!!

Ice packs on cramping muscles, light stretching

If not noticed early, can lead to heat exhaustion or even heat

stroke

Remove from heat – get into Air Conditioned building if possible

Cool body using cool towels, ice, water

Seek medical attention immediately if:

Loss of or altered consciousness

Athlete appears to be acting “not like him/herself”

Stop sweating (dry hot red skin)

Vomiting/Dry heaves

Heat-Related Illness

Return to play criteria

If simply heat cramps - next day if fully recovered

and properly rehydrated (may have some muscle

soreness)

Advanced heat illness – clearance needed by

physician

Common Athletic Injuries

Head injury (concussion)

“Red flags” – can show up initially, or take days or weeks

to appear.

Signs observed by parent/coach Symptoms reported by athlete

Appears dazed or stunned Headache

Is confused about assignment Nausea

Forgets plays Balance problems or dizziness

Is unsure of game, s core, or opponent Double or fuzzy vision

Moves clumsily Sensitivity to light or noise

Answers questions slowly Feeling sluggish

Loses consciousness Feeling groggy or foggy

Shows behavior or personality changes Concentration or memory problems

Can’t re call events prior to hit and/or after hit Confusion

Unexplained l oss of appetite Trouble sleeping

Head Injury (Concussion)

Initial Care Seek medical attention right away if you think the athlete may have

a concussion. Better to err on the side of caution. Allow trained professional to decided severity of case

Keep athlete out of play. Concussions take time to heal. Do not let the athlete return to play until cleared by a physician. Returning too soon poses a greater risk of a recurrent, more serious

concussion which may cause permanent brain damage or, in some severe cases, death.

Make sure all of the athlete’s coaches are aware of the concussion and when s/he will be permitted to return to participation.

Remind your athlete: Better to miss a few games than to miss an entire season…or multiple seasons.

Return to play criteria – Determined by qualified healthcare professional.


Joint sprain Common types – ankle, wrist, foot, elbow, knee, finger,

foot

“Red flags” Swelling and/or discoloration

Loss of motion

Severe pain impairing function (i.e. limping)

Initial Care R.I.C.E.

Should not be participating if any “red flags” present

If leg/ankle injury and limping, make use of crutches (even if short term)

Care for injuries sooner than later; minor injuries can become serious over time if not cared for

Seek assessment from trained medical professional if “red flags” present for >3 days (or sooner if able)

Joint Sprains

Return to play criteria Resolution of “red flags”

Normal biomechanics returned (i.e. no limp)

Minimal (if any) discomfort during play

Clearance by trained medical professional when

severe injury occurs


Muscle strain

Common types – hamstring, calf, shoulder, back,

quad

“Red flags”

Swelling and/or discoloration

Loss of motion due to muscle spasm or torn

muscle/tendon

Notable loss of strength in muscle

Severe pain impairing function

Muscle/Tendon Strain

Initial Care

R.I.C.E.

Should not be participating if any “red flags” present

If leg/ankle injury and limping, make use of crutches (even if short term)

Mild-moderate stretching of muscles around injured area as tolerated

Care for injuries sooner than later; minor injuries can become serious over time if not cared for

Seek assessment from trained medical professional if “red flags” present for >3 days (or sooner if able)

Muscle/Tendon Strain


Resolution of “red flags”

Normal biomechanics returned (i.e. no limp)

Minimal (if any) discomfort during play

Clearance by trained medical professional when

severe injury occurs


Overuse injuries

Common types – shin splints, arch pain,

elbow/shoulder soreness

“Red flags”

Same as with sprains and strains

Pain that does not decrease and/or resolve after proper

warm up and stretching

Overuse Injuries

Initial Care

R.I.C.E.

Allow time for injured tissue to recover

Good strategy is 1 week of non-irritating activity, then

progressive return if pain-free

Modified activity – decrease volume and intensity of

training to allow pain-free participation

Stretching and strengthening as appropriate

Overuse Injuries


Variable

No “red flags”

Athlete was given opportunity to “rest” injured body part

If symptoms return quickly even after resting period, seek

advice of trained medical professional

May be later rather than sooner in young athletes to

decrease likelihood of long-term problems

Guiding Your Throwing Athletes

Throwing drills for players

Emphasis on proper throwing mechanics and body

mechanics.

Things to watch for:

“Opening too soon”

Lead or stride foot landing too far to the left for righty or to the right

for lefty (many times indicative of opening up too much)

Do not let ball get behind head in “cocked” phase

Lead shoulder to target

Follow through to opposite shin

Balanced finish

BREAK BAD MECHANICAL HABITS AT AN EARLY AGE –

EASIER TO FIX AND LESS POTENTIAL FOR PROBLEMS

LATER ON!

Guiding Your Throwing Athletes

Drills – still focus on above 6 keys

Elbow toss

Focus on wrist snap

Half-kneeling short toss

Upper body throwing (Standing facing partner)

Focus on 90 deg upper body turn, proper arm mechanics,

and follow through

Crow-hop toss (short & long)

Use entire body to throw!

Important Things to Remember

Follow Little League Baseball National Guidelines

(updated in 2006) regarding pitchers

Pitch count – Must Keep!

17-18 years old = 105 pitches per day



10 years and under = 75 pitches per day

Rest periods as outlined in little league national guidelines

NO EXCEPTIONS! Rules are a result of countless

studies proving a need for a pitch count in young athletes!

http://www.littleleague.org/media/pitch_count_08-25-06.asp







Things to Remember…

Promote a focus on pitch location and change of speed when working with pitchers.

Do not teach or promote “snap off” curve balls, sliders, or other special pitches involving twisting of the wrist and forearm

Especially under the age of 14.

Example: Nolan Ryan

27 years in the Majors

Minimal elbow problems

4 primary pitches (2 & 4 seam fastball, circle change, and curveball caused by finger pressure and release point (no “snapping”)

Porzio-Hawley Chiropractic

Free Evaluations

Why take advantage?

FREE!

Reassuring

Expedites quality care and safe return to play!

Office Hours & Location

Porzio-Hawley Chiropractic and Nutrition Center

1850 West Street, Ste. #2

Southington, CT 06489

www.porzio-hawleychiro.com

(860) 620-1705

http://www.porzio-hawleychiro.com/



Any Questions?

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