D.2.D

1) Ask what skill would they like to develop or learn and how hard they are willing to work for it?

2)If the skill set they wish to develop or learn is within my teachings we proceed with stretches(proper)and warm ups.

3) Athlete specific drills may seem unorthodox at times but all accumulate to achieve the goals that we set.

4) Cool down period and mental training techniques to help clear the mind and absorb all the information from each lesson.

I've been a student of the game of baseball for over 35 years. Won multiple championships in various levels of competition. Attended multiple training seminars in person and virtually. Have 1000s of hours dedicated to the development of young athletes with ages ranging 6-19 yrs.

It was the final game of the season we were 7-0. The team was up 13-0 and our starting pitcher had reached his pitch count of 85 for the game and needed to come out. With only 8 players available due to injuries and illness. I turned to my 2nd baseman and motioned for him to come up to the mound. He shook his saying "NO". I smiled and said "OH yes". Now my 2nd baseman had asked me every game and practice " Can I pitch the next game?" And I would always reply the same " our rotation is set but keep practicing and stay ready we might need you". Well the day had came we needed him. He gave up 10 runs on 7 hits then we finally got the 3rd out of the inning. He walked back to the dugout head hanging and upset and I gather the team and tell him " hey kid pick your head up we have a lot of game left" the rest of the the team encouraged him to do the same. He leads off the inning with an infield single that he narrowly beat out and sparked a 10 run rally of our own to put us up 23-10. Thinking he wasn't going to pitch anymore he runs out to play 2nd base as I yell " it's going to be hard to pitch from way back there" he looks at me and shrugs his shoulders like to say " whatever here goes nothing" he proceeds to give up 5 straight hits and is looking rattled on the mound so I call time and approach the mound. Do my usual talk about anything other than baseball routine and put the ball back in his glove and tell him "relax and have fun it's just a game. Everyone out here believes in you now you just have to believe in yourself and no matter what happens we are all going to love you the same" he then proceeds to hit the next two batters. Shakes it off and strikes out the next three after that. He walks off the mound pumping his fist screaming at the top of his lungs. I knew then he had created a beast and I helped him develop a love for the game that will last a lifetime. That's why I COACH!!!

Make sure they understand the difference between wants and needs.

Needs are things you can not live without

Wants are things you have to work hard to get after you fulfill your needs.