Background
Marc Dagenais of Softballperformance.com has an exceptional combination of softball coaching expertise and strength and conditioning knowledge . He has intimate knowledge of what it takes to develop and maintain a high level of performance in athletes while avoiding injuries that can impair or even end a career. He specializes in the training of elite female athletes, softball-specific conditioning and core training.
Softballperformance.com has worked with numerous elite amateur, college and professional athletes and has been coaching women's competitive fastpitch softball for over 14 years. He presently serves as an Assistant Coach for the Canadian Women's National Team program. He also teaches and trains sports coaches and fitness professionals. He has been a three-time finalist for Quebec's "Coach of the Year" Award and has served three years as an Assistant Softball Coach at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C.
Education/Certification:
- Ph.D. in Kinesiology (Sports Psychology), McGill University (in progress)
- Master of Human Kinetics, Coaching Sciences, University of British Columbia
- Bachelor of Science, Physical Education, University of Montreal
- Diploma in High Performance Coaching, National Coaching Institute - Vancouver, BC
- NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (C.S.C.S.)
For More Information On Softballperformance.com Click Here.
He can be contacted at info@softballperformance.com.
Articles :: Sorted By Date
Scientific Abdominal Training For Softball!
Core conditioning is a more integrated and complete approach to abdominal training. The purpose of this column is to educate softbal coaches on sports training as it applies to the sport of softball.
Section: Training :: Apr 23, 2003
Core Conditioning: Scientific Abdominal Training For Softball: Part 3!
Developing core stability is essential to optimize movement efficiency, prevent athletic injuries and maximize performance. In the next edition, I will introduce you to innovative and sport-specific core strength exercises.
Section: Training :: Apr 25, 2003
Core Conditioning: Scientific Abdominal Training For Softball: Part 2!
Developing core stability is essential to optimize movement efficiency, prevent athletic injuries and maximize performance. In the next edition, I will introduce you to innovative and sport-specific core strength exercises.
Section: Training :: Apr 25, 2003
Six Sports Injury Warning Signs!
While some sports injuries are immediately evident, others can creep up slowly and progressively get worse. If you don't pay attention to both types of injuries, chronic problems can develop. Learn how to treat and prevent your injuries!
Section: Training :: Apr 28, 2003
Sodium Needs For Athletes.
Athletes must consider that due to their increased activity and excessive sweat production, they are actually at risk of having too little sodium in their blood stream during training and competition. Athletes do indeed, have special sodium requirements. Learn why!
Section: Nutrition :: May 05, 2003
Core Conditioning: Scientific Abdominal Training For Softball: Part 4!
At this point, the goal is convert or transform the gains in strength into power. Power is the ability to generate high forces in very short periods of time. It can also be defined as explosiveness. Learn how to improve your trunk and core power!
Section: Training :: May 05, 2003
Core Conditioning: Scientific Abdominal Training For Softball: 5!
Low back strength and stability are vital to prevent injuries and optimize performance. These muscles contribute in every action performed in softball. Learn the proper ways to train your lower back!
Section: Training :: May 09, 2003
Is Throwing A Heavy Ball Good Medicine?
Medicine balls are a great way to improve your speed and agility and so is weight training. It appears that the use of higher weight may outweigh the benefits of specificity of training in this case. Learn why!
Section: Sports :: May 22, 2003
Neuromuscular Conditioning.
After studying athletes for many years it really relates to life. In order to create ideas you must flood the brain with lots of relevant information about the sport or subject. The idea is to give the brain a lot of information relative to volleyball only, and to use as its needed during play. Learn why.
Section: Mind :: May 28, 2003
What Is Specific To Softball?
To really improve their game, athletes must train with a specific plan. The training programs that bodybuilders follow will provide very little results. Once again, the principle of specificity is the golden rule.
Section: Training :: May 30, 2003
An Introduction To Plyometrics
For many years coaches and athletes have sought
to improve power in order to enhance performance.
Learn why and how it can help YOU!
Section: Sports :: May 30, 2003
Does Jet Lag Affect Performance?
Anyone who has traveled between time zones can tell you that air travel can wreak havoc with your internal clock and dramatically decrease your energy level. Learn why it happens and how to help prevent it!
Section: Training :: May 31, 2003
Sleep Deprivation And Performance
Sleep deprivation was recently found to interfere with glucose metabolism, which could impair endurance performance and recovery. Coaches have long believed and advocated getting adequate sleep for optimal athletic performance. Learn why!
Section: Training :: Jun 05, 2003
Latest Sports Research Findings.
Learn why you don't need pre-exercise stretching, the efficiency of overloading and under loading for baseball pitchers, how creatine can improve your performance, why athletes need more vitamin E and much more!
Section: Training :: Jun 09, 2003
Conditioning Myths & Half-Truths.
While we are getting better at spotting the fitness scams and junk science, there are still a lot of myths floating around the world of sports medicine. Here is a quick overview of some of the more popular myths and why you shouldn't believe everything you hear.
Section: Training :: Jun 12, 2003
Add 6 Inches To Your Vertical Jump!
Since the vertical jump is an explosive movement, both strength and power need to be developed. Learn the proper training and exercises for increasing your vertical jump here.
Section: Sports :: Jun 27, 2003
6 Deadly Excuses Why Sports Organizations Don't Buy Insurance!
Find out why sports organnizations are tempted to say no buy insurance and the TRUTH behind it!
Section: Sports :: Jul 02, 2003
Sleep Deprivation In Softball.
The consequences of a chronic sleep debt on performance, mood, energy levels, cognitive abilities and overall psychological and physical well-being are major. Learn why in this four part series!
Section: Training :: Aug 28, 2003
Sleep Deprivation In Softball - Part Two.
Softball being such a mental game where alertness, judgement and reaction time are critical, softball athletes can't afford to build large sleep debts without suffering the consequences on the field. In the next article, I will discuss strategies to help you improve the quality of sleep of your student-athletes.
Section: Sports :: Aug 29, 2003
Sleep Deprivation In Softball - Part Three.
Proper sleeping habits must be install to ensure an optimal functioning of our student-athletes. Do not neglect the power of sleep on the performance of your player.
Section: Sports :: Sep 09, 2003
All About Stress Fractures!
One of the most common injuries in sports is a stress fracture. Overcoming an injury like a stress fracture can be difficule, but it can be done. Here are some facts about stress fractures from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Section: Training :: Sep 24, 2003
Best Food Choices To Boost Your Performance!
This is a list of healthy food to help you increase your calorie intake and fulfill your energy requirement when competing and training intensely. This is not for regular diet but for active people that have energy needs.
Section: Sports :: Nov 10, 2003
Functional Training For Softball!
Most fitness and training facilities now have stability balls, foam rolls, balance boards and other fun toys as part of their conditioning equipment. These are part of a new trend in the strength and conditioning field called functional training.
Section: Sports :: Mar 23, 2004
Understanding Exercise Physiology!
What are muscle fibers and what are their roles in your body, what are the different types of energy production and all about your cardiovascular and respiratory system...
Section: Training :: Jun 04, 2004
Periodization Of Mental Training!
If you fail to plan the development of your athletes properly, you will not be able to maximize their potential. Here is an introduction on how to improve performance factors with the periodization of mental training.
Section: Sports :: Sep 15, 2005
