A few weeks ago, we had a few COVID-19 imposed days off and used the time to evaluate the effectiveness of the new process-oriented approach to player development we implemented in the fall. As you may recall, we took on a new model for player development heavily influenced by the fact that we were not allowed to gather in large groups. This significantly limited team activities such as full squad defensive work and anything resembling a scrimmage or intrasquad. Live “at bats” with just a pitcher, hitter, and catcher were as close to full tilt as we could get, and even those days were limited due to periodic shut downs or inconsistencies in pitcher throwing programs. Consequently, mechanics, or stealing a line from Nick Saban, “the process” became our main focus.
Objectively, there’s no doubt that our players benefitted from this new process-oriented approach. Hitters universally saw significant increases in exit velocities, with batted ball maxes increasing by an average of over 3 mph per player, and average exit velocity increasing roughly 2.5 mph. Gains were not quite as universal for pitchers - something we attribute to the ebbs and flows of the weekly throwing schedule – but they were still quite strong. Notably, during our velocity building phase, which preceded our competition phase – that we never officially got to – over 75% of our pitchers hit 5 oz pull down personal records, and a couple recorded jumps as high as 7 mph. More importantly, most of our pitchers who experienced pull down gains were able to carry these over to the mound.
While most of our guys posted impressive quantitative improvements, as we reflected back on the fall, we could not ignore the reality that our new approach had a very different vibe than prior seasons, and it was not all positive. After much discussion, we came to realize that we put such a huge focus on the process and daily improvements, that we did not spend enough time celebrating accomplishments. Process improvement is great, but no different than when we were playing, our kids want to work hard to get better, but they also want it to be fun. We let the pendulum swing a little too far in focusing on correcting flaws and reinforcing good habits. We were not taking the proper time to applaud personal bests, have fun, and let the new adjustments sink in before pushing for the next level of accomplishment.
I believe our head coach summarized this slight predicament very well. “It’s like we are so focused on making someone who’s a 5 out of 10 into a 10 out of 10 that we are forgetting about celebrating the improvements they made to get to a 7 or an 8. We are getting way too caught up in perfection.”
Upon reflection, we were always focused on what was to come next. Of course, this is not all bad, but the issue that arises from this predicament is where do you draw the line? We never want to be content with where we are at, but at the same time, we don’t want to give our players the impression that nothing they do will ever be good enough until it is perfect.
As we move forward we plan to implement a slight remodel going into our next major development phase. For us, since we are unable to play outside competition, that will be this spring. Our 26 game intrasquad schedule will still give our guys who are draft eligible or graduating this year a great chance to improve daily and show off their skills for other four year schools with graduate programs or for professional scouts. Also, this gives our returners a chance to compete in front of our staff and a long ramp up for summer ball. The competition period will enable us to best identify what our focuses need to be in evaluations, recruiting, and future practices. With a model set up for two games per week, we will still have 3-4 days to focus on the very metrics, mechanics, movements, or actions that will enable our guys to continue on in their baseball careers.
Obviously, the grind changes a little bit with games on the line, even though they are just intrasquads. Regardless, an opportunity to freely compete each week enables our staff to relax a bit on the coaching and drilling, and focus on the product rather than the process for a couple of days each week. Being at a point where we can actually reward our guys with some competition makes things a bit easier, but we still thought of ways to improve upon our fall if full games are not in the cards at any point down the line.
1. If a player reaches a new personal best, the next day is up to him in regards to drill work, rep schemes, and his daily focus. This will allow players to relax, reflect, and celebrate. With a longer time-horizon until the next competition, taking some time to feel good about personal achievement isn’t always bad.
2. By changing our training goals to a weekly instead of a daily focus, pressure on a single day’s performance decreases. This enables players to take more of a macro focus to their development. By shifting from a daily to a weekly goals format, players can take their time progressing toward mastery, rather than worrying about being dominated by a difficult drill or having a crappy day due to outside stressors.
3. We will create “development teams” filled with incentives to reinforce an improvement-focused culture. We will likely have four separate teams designed to increase competition, accountability, and a team-oriented environment, in which each player is invested in one another’s success. Players will earn points for their teams through reaching milestones in their own development or for various coaches’ choice activities. The team with the most points after every couple of weeks will receive a small reward. The team with the most points at the end of the semester will be in for something a little bit bigger.
Regardless of how things shake out this spring, we have realized the importance of making sure each day does not feel like another “lesson.” We do not always need to focus on what is wrong and how to move an athlete towards perfection. Some days, we just need to let the guys be athletic and figure out solutions to a problem to achieve a desired result. The new general structure is as follows.
Weight room group 1 – 12:45
Weight room group 2 – 2:00
Arrive to field – 2:00-3:00
Team Dynamic Warm-up – 3:00
Power and Mobility Workout – 3:15
We alternate lower body and upper body focus each day.
These workouts act as compliment to what the guys do in the weight room. We primarily structure the workouts with med balls, plyometrics, short burst exercises, and yoga-esque movements.
Positional Individuals – 4:00
Pitchers begin a 40 minute free period for bands, plyo balls, daily throwing progression, etc.
Position players will go through their throwing progression and then divide into their positional groups for skill focused training.
In game speed has been our main theme thus far.
Pitcher Drill Work – 4:40
Pitchers go through a series of quasi-individualized drills.
Our main focus has been applying athleticism to the mound.
Allowing pitchers to move more freely and experiment with different slots, arm actions, and body motions encourages a more natural feel on the mound, rather than a calculated robotic motion.
Position Player Hitting/Situations – 4:45
Hitters are grouped based on the daily/weekly focus.
The training modalities change regularly.
This period of practice (once general batting practice has concluded for the day) is the most competitive part of daily practice. Typically, we will get into various competitions to simulate live scenarios that we may encounter in game.
Pitcher Post Throw/Free Time – 5:10
Pitchers go through a short series of mobility, band, balance, or body control exercises after throwing to act as a cool down and reset.
This also functions as a second free period for the pitchers to work on any drills, additional throwing, or specific movements they want to focus on.
Practice Wrap-Up – 6:00
Get in and get out. In three hours we can get done everything we need at the field for both working out and skill work.
Although different than previous practice plans in years past, we feel we have pieced together the best solution to our current environment. As I stated earlier, we recognize that what we did in the fall came with some flaws. We understand this spring is no different. That said, we have to make the most of the situation, continue to be creative, and occasionally allow our players to dictate our focus to help make their grind as enjoyable and productive as possible while many of their friends at other schools get to play a regular season.
Thank you,
Adam Moreau, MBA, CSCS
Director of Player Development and Recruiting Coordinator
Eckerd College
419-250-7243
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