| Remember your teacher from gym class making | | | | lessons: |
| it mandatory to stretch for five minutes or so | | | | - Get a good stretch, but don't stretch to the |
| before each class? At the time, you may have | | | | point of discomfort |
| thought that it was just a way for them to keep | | | | - The tight feeling in your muscles should diminish |
| the class occupied for a few moments, but they | | | | as you stretch |
| were actually doing you a favor. Whether you are | | | | - Avoid holding your breath while stretching - |
| engaging in softball lessons, youth baseball | | | | breath into the stretch |
| instruction, or any kind of physical activity, it is | | | | - Hold each stretch for 10 to 30 seconds |
| vitally important to stretch first in order to avoid | | | | - If tightness intensifies or you feel pain, then stop |
| injury. | | | | the stretch |
| Baseball lessons always involve stretching because | | | | - Shake your limbs before stretching them |
| athletes playing the sport use their entire bodies | | | | - Complete 2-3 stretching exercises on a certain |
| to compete. What you may not know is that it is | | | | area before moving on |
| often suggested for athletes engaged in youth | | | | Stretching is just one additional component kids |
| baseball instruction to stretch after competing as | | | | can learn when engaged in baseball training |
| well. Stretching exercises should target all of the | | | | programs. Such programs are designed to also |
| major muscle groups. | | | | teach children how to work in a team; work |
| Youth baseball drills are headed by experienced | | | | towards achieving goals; facilitate self discipline; |
| instructors. Instructors specifically want to teach | | | | and much more. Ask your kids about joining |
| kids about baseball, but kids can learn healthy tips | | | | baseball or softball camps for the summer. In |
| to use beyond baseball as well. Consider the | | | | addition, many areas offer on-going clinics all year |
| following stretching tips provided during baseball | | | | long. |