360 Peak Performance - The Baseball Observer

Hitting & Pitching Training

Coach Helke has been featured in national publications such as US Insider, The Chicago Journal, Huff Mag and Sports Illustrated for hitting.

A 2023 inductee into the prestigious Marquis "Who's Who in America" (for coaching, training and authorship) and a two time best-selling co-author of two books on Peak Performance.

Hitting: Most confuse having a good swing with becoming a good hitter. I can assure you having a good swing is simply one minor step in becoming a good hitter. Most players simply work on mechanics. They take some training and batting practice then hope that all of their work will pay off. That’s NOT going to cut it.

It's not all about mechanics that most "swing" coaches teach (even the top instructors). Why? Because there are timing issues that have to be addressed first. It's these timing issues that are the actual source for the majority of mechanical issues. Secondly, players have different physical make-ups. Therefore the "cookie cutter" training the majority of trainers provide tries to have every player swing the same way. Without taking a players physical make-up into consideration, most trainings actually inhibit a players potential at the plate.

"You're not an imitation or clone, so why be trained like one?" While there are similarities, there are differences – you’re an individual. A coach cannot teach and train with "cookie cutter" sessions. It's real simple. When an athlete comes to me, I don't see an incompetent athlete who doesn't know things or needs to be fixed. I see the individual. A very competent athlete who knows a lot more than they think they do. My job is to get them to recognize it and how to specifically get things in the right order so that they can use their tools. It's about progress not perfection. I incorporate both the physical and mental aspects, learn each athlete’s uniqueness while keeping the lessons productive and easy to understand. I am there for guidance, mentorship and instruction, but not to command/demand.

I teach hitting. How to hit a moving ball. Not how to swing at a stationary ball sitting on a batting tee or how to swing at a ball that is soft tossed. There is a big difference. I require athletes (and parents) to ask me questions! To me, if a player is not a college or pro player, there are a lot of reasons why at least one parent SHOULD be present during training sessions. But here are the two most obvious ones:

#1: YOU'RE the ones who are paying.

#2: YOU'RE going to be spending time with them after a training session is over.

Number 1, is obvious, but number two is really important. Parents need to be aware of what their player is being taught during sessions.

I'll be spending 45-60 minutes with your player during a session...BUT, you're going home with them. If you understand the information covered during the sessions, you'll be light years ahead to actually help reinforce the new habits we're trying to create!

Active baseball coach since 1992. Coach Helke has a Degree in Psychology with the following certifications: Biomechanics Specialist (the science of human body movement), Sport Psychology Coach (Ed), Applied Neuroscience & Brain Health, Core Conditioning Specialist, Mental Game and Sports Guided Imagery Specialist along with being a Certified Interscholastic Coach (NFHS). I am also an active member of the ABCA, OHSBCA, NFHS, The American Baseball Biomechanics Society & The International Society of Biomechanics in Sports. Also a professional affiliate of the APA Division 47 (Society for Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology). I am the founder of The Baseball Observer Digital Magazine & Directory (thebaseballobserver.com) and 360 Peak Performance. I am in contact with both college coaches and MLB coaches and support staff.

I mentor players from rec to college athletes. I also video lessons (when applicable) and can show them back to athletes and parents during the session (in real time and slo-motion).

My goal as a coach is not to make the athlete dependent on me like the majority of coaches & trainers do. I educate the athlete (and parents) so they can eventually identify and correct any issues that might arise later on. To have the ability to self-coach, self-adjust and pay attention to the results.

Just one testimony:

“Baseball has really taken an odd turn with summer ball and some of the teaching techniques youth players are getting. It is nice to see your teachings and articles are based on the reality of what works at the collegiate and professional level."

Keith Gorman - Former Head Coach Cumberland Co. College - NJCAA DIII 2019 National Champions - 2019 ABCA/ Diamond National Coach of the Year NJCAA Division III.

I have always loved the game of baseball. I started coaching in 1992. I want every athlete who wants to play baseball to love the game. I don't want them to leave the game because they think they don't have the athletic ability to play. Too many athletes leave the game because they feel they don't have the ability when what they needed was the opportunity to have someone help them see they do. I am continually keeping up on what works and what doesn’t. I'm always challenging what I know.