May 09, 2008
Active Warm-Up
By Javair Gillett
Every game day, right before the start of the game, you’ll see me in the outfield standing on the foul line next to our players. It’s pre-game warm-up time and during the season, an utmost priority in their program. If I’m going to stress anything to them when it comes to their in-season program and follow through, it’s that they warm up properly. Warm-up at the speed you’re going to play. Get the muscles accustomed to what they will be required to do when the game starts. We play everyday so more times than not, recovery is more important than lifting weights. So, if you do anything, I’ll say to them, warm up properly! Don’t just stretch lying down or standing still. You have to move at all angles and try to improve your joints range of motion (active or dynamic stretch). We’ll worry about the still stretching (static stretch) after the game to help turn the muscles off and relax them. But pre-game, turn your muscles on! Every now and then there comes a time that I have to remind a player to focus. So I might be a pain in the “culo” sometimes to them but in my position, I’m not always going to be your best friend. The pre-game warm-up is important to me and I’m there to try to push you and ready you so that you can be at your best that day.
Every game day, right before the start of the game, you’ll see me in the outfield standing on the foul line next to our players. It’s national anthem time and during the season, an utmost priority as a proud U.S. citizen. Everyday toward the end of the anthem you’ll see me bow my head and thank my God (I’m Catholic, but pray to whoever you want to pray to), and my family for allowing me the opportunity to be standing on a baseball field. I also pray that those on the field with me remain healthy, happy, and proud of what they do. We are blessed.