Theme of the Month
October 2018: “What Coaching is Not” vs. “What Coaching Is”
Unfortunately the “What it is Nots” have come to far outweigh the “What is Is.”
This is what is killing youth sports. It needs to change.
Read the list. If a coach falls in this category, you should stop. You are doing a grave disservice to players and being selfish. You are in it for the wrong reasons and doing more harm than good. If you are playing for a coach that falls in the “Is Not” category, you need to find a way to get away.
September 2018: “Three G’s” – Goals, Gains, Growth
As a player you need to set goals. You need to strive to achieve these goals by working hard on and off the field. This hard work will result in gains in performance. The cumulative effect is growth!
You cannot afford to stay stagnant in a super competitive environment. This is not only true in sports, it’s true in life, in business, and for the National School of Baseball and Softball.
So, as our students strive to achieve their “Three G’s” so do we. Our newest goal is to create three baseball summer travel teams for in-house players for 2019.
What are your goals? Write them down. Go after them. Let us help you get there!
August 2018: Dog Days of August
MLB calls it the “Dog Days of August” due to it usually being the hottest month of the year, making it a grind. It’s a month that can make or break a season.
However, we are taking this in another direction.
We pay tribute to real heat! Some of the hardest “flame throwers” in the history of baseball. No velocity is not everything. However, it sure is fun to watch.
Who was or is your favorite pitcher who threw pure heat?
July 2018: Salute to Heroes
We salute and pay tribute to this country’s true heroes: the men and women of our Armed Forces, past and present, and their families.
We thank you for protecting our freedoms, the sacrifices you make, and your willingness to pay the ultimate price in order to accomplish that.
Without you, this country would not be FREE.
Without FREEDOM we would not be able to enjoy the great games of baseball and softball the way we do.
In honor of Independence Day every July the NSoBS will pay tribute to our Armed Forces.
Thank you again and God Bless.
June 2018: For the Love of the Game
Pitch every pitch as if it were your last.
Take every swing as if it were your last.
Make every play as if it were your last.
Hustle as if it’s the last play you will ever be involved in.
Don’t leave anything on the field.
That’s how you play when you LOVE the GAME. Play for the Love of the Game.
May 2018: Warm-up Safely & Properly
The idea of warm-ups is to become the best prepared player on the field. You cannot become that if you do not do things in the proper order or if you don’t do enough of it.
What is UNSAFE vs. What is SAFE.
It is UNSAFE to stretch cold muscles with static stretches (with resistance).
It is UNSAFE to throw to warm-up. You must warm-up the body and arm before throwing. That is what protects the arm.
It is UNSAFE to perform static stretches before ballistics stretches (without resistance).
It is SAFE to get the heart pumping, blood flowing, muscles firing, oxygen into the muscles etc. before you ever do any stretching or throwing.
It is SAFE to perform ballistic stretches before static stretches.
Not warming up properly and safely will drastically decrease your chances to perform well.
Warming up and stretching properly in the right order will have a positive impact on your ability to perform on the field.
Please make yourself the best prepared player on the field by taking this seriously.
If you are in need of a proper team or player warm up, just send us an email and we will help. [email protected]
April 2018: Do NOT Stop Training
Just because the season hast started does not meant you stop training and stop working. This is a huge mistake that many young players and coaches make.
If you stop training during the season you are drastically increasing the chances of your performance declining as the season goes on.
The goal is to get BETTER as the season goes on.
The only way to do that is to keep training, keep doing your drills, keep getting in more repetitions, and keep working!
March 2018: Prove ’em Wrong
When someone tells you, “You can’t,” prove that you can. Work harder. Get the help you need.
A coach tells you that you’re the #3 pitcher and you know you are #1, prove ’em wrong.
Someone tells you, “You can’t pitch,” prove ’em wrong.
Someone tells you, “You can’t play a certain position,” prove ’em wrong.
Don’t sit back and take it. Get the proper instruction, do the work, and see what happens! The students of the NSoBS LIVE to prove coaches wrong! And we live to help them get there!
February 2018: Be that Parent, Stop the Bullying
This is a wicked epidemic that needs to stop NOW! I know off the top of my head at least a dozen different promising careers that have been destroyed due to coaching and teammate bullying, and many others who are suffering it right now!
There are laws against it in the work place. It is not supposed to be tolerated in schools. And there is absolutely NO place for it in sports, especially with children.
Bullying includes, but is not limited to: demeaning, degrading, belittling, name calling, screaming, embarrassing, punishment with physical activity, physical touching, passive aggressive behavior, favoritism… on an on.
These are the times you MUST be “that parent.” If you do not nip it in the bud, it will continue and sooner rather than later your young player will not want to play anymore.
Children look to their parents to defend and protect them. DO IT! BE THAT PARENT!
At the NSoBS we have a ZERO tolerance policy for any coach or instructor who exhibits any kind of behavior like that.
January 2018: New Beginnings – That First Impression
January is when most teams start their heavy training. Your goal is to get off to a great start, as this is a new season and a new beginning. With this comes the responsibility to make a positive first impression and you only get one chance to do that.
Get into the habit of digging deep and working hard from day one. Don’t “dog it.” If you get tired, dig deep. If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for your teammates and coaches. They are all going to be relying on you. Learning how to give your all in every practice and on every rep starts now. When you do this it becomes a habit. This is what coaches and teammates look for. I guarantee it will translate on the field.
December 2017: Coach Pete’s Favorite Word: BELIEVE
Christmas is only a few weeks away and I BELIEVE in the spirit of Christmas, just like in the movie Polar Express. However, this word has far greater meaning than just Christmas.
You need to believe in yourself. When you believe in yourself, you confidence is high. Belief and confidence go hand in hand with high level performance.
Make sure you BELIEVE in your trainers, coaches, and what they are teaching you. This is just as critical. Don’t ever let any coach tell you that you cannot do something. So many of NSOBS’s greatest success stories are based on BELIEVING!
It starts with a conversation like this: “Everyone needs someone to believe in them. I believe in you, so believe in me and what I am teaching.”
This is magic! Just like the magic of the Polar Express and Christmas.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE
November 2017: DRILLS for SKILLS
For the most part it’s off-season for baseball and softball. However, training never really stops. The goal of training is to improve by addressing and knocking out bad habits and creating NEW GOOD habits in your skills through the use of EFFECTIVE DRILLS!
Hitting for the sake of taking swings does not make you better. Pitching for the sake of throwing pitches does not make you better. Taking ground balls for the sake of taking ground balls does not make you better.
Find the drills that improve your skills! Address the areas of your game that need improvement, whether it be: pitching, hitting, fielding, throwing or catching.
Make sure you do the drills PERFECTLY! Only perfect reps count.
1,000 Perfect Reps = Create or Break a Habit.
10,000 Perfect Reps = Automatic.
10,000 Hours of Perfect Reps = Give yourself the chance to play at the highest levels.
It’s DRILLS for SKILLS Month at the NSOBS!
October 2017: Commitment
Commitment is something the NSoBS lives, preaches and teaches. Quitting is easy, committing makes you memorable.
The NSoBS is about commitment and bringing old-school back! Old-school worked pretty well for a very long time. Something has changed with this concept and it is not for the better.
“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
September 2017: Fall
August 2017: Softball
July 2017: All Stars
Our July Theme of the Month is: All Stars!
And no, we aren’t talking about the ones on TV.
We make it a point to treat our students like All Stars every day at National School of Baseball. Every student will receive the same respect, the same approach, the same goals, and the same chance to reach their potentials as athletes at NSoBS. Your successes are our successes and we could not be more proud of all of you!
June 2017: The Sandlot
Watch the movie and learn why these incredible young boys became so good at the game. This is such popular way of learning, it is now called “Sandlot Learning”. Learn from each other, especially when you have players who have something to offer in terms of good mechanics.
May 2017: No Excuses
Your season started right? So, why aren’t you doing the drills and exercises your instructor taught you? The goal is to get better as the season goes no, not get stagnated or fade at the end of the year. You all have the tools you need. Use them. NO EXCUSES! Get better or fade away. Your choice.
April 2017: Get Heated, Not Just Warm
Many baseball and softball seasons are already underway.
The weather in a lot of geographic areas is still quite chilly. Therefore, it is imperative that all players not only warm up, but get “heated”. There is a big difference between the two.
Warming up is just doing your team’s normal warm-up and stretching routine. Especially in cold weather, a player needs more than that. Getting “heated” especially for pitchers is a different level that protects the body. A player must get to the point of starting to sweat, but not being tired: Heart pumping, lungs pumping, blood flowing, muscles firing. In other words, find a way to build up a sweat even if it’s cold. There is nothing more dangerous than playing any sport in cold weather and your body is not ready to go. This is when injuries occur. Protect yourself. A great way to do this is using Biomechanics Dynamic Warm Ups. Get HEATED before every game regardless of the weather!
March 2017: Work Harder
“Work Harder!”
Almost all baseball and softball seasons are will be under way soon. Some start as early as the last weekend in March. So, what should you be doing? WORKING HARDER!! However hard you were working…Step it Up! More reps! More drills! More Focus! Your goal: Be the best prepared player on the field!
February 2017: Teammates
Strive to be a “Memorable” teammate, not a “forgettable” teammate.
Just because you are the most talented player on the team, does not mean you are the most memorable.
Help your teammates. Support them. Without them, you are one player standing alone. Pick each other up when you are down. Compliment each other. Fight for one another. Pull for one another.
These are the things that make you MEMORABLE! PLEASE be memorable!
January 2017: Own it
You can have the best coaches and instructors in the world who give you the best expertise, tools, drills, exercises and more.
However, if you do not put in the WORK on your time, you will not see the improvements you are looking for.
If you are not putting in the work and “owning it” you can bet your bottom dollar someone close to you is!
If they pass you by due to putting in the work and getting better, there is no one to blame but yourself. Just going to practice does NOT cut it anymore. “OWN IT!” It’s on YOU!
December 2016: Merry Christmas!
Santa loves baseball and softball! Ask for or give the Christmas gift of baseball or softball.
For example: lesson packages and clinics from the National School of Baseball & Softball. Also, ask for some new baseball and softball stuff. Sounds like a homerun!!
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Always believe!
November 2016: Off Season
Stay Strong. Work on mechanics. Work on fundamentals. Take some lessons if you can.
Young players should explore and play other sports! This is the best way to stay in shape, work other muscles, get strong and have fun doing it!
Still, try to find time (even just once a week) to work on your exercises, drills and mechanics.
Before you know it, it will be time to really go back to work!
October 2016: Fall Baseball and Softball
A season to learn, have fun, make new friends and become a better player. October means: Major League Playoffs and the World Series.
Watch the best TEAMS in baseball. Watch for the UNEXPECTED heroes. Watch to see if some of the best players of the regular season can repeat those performances under pressure of Playoffs. Is there another Mr. October out there?
See if the theory holds true: It is not the team with the most talent that wins. It is the best “team” that wins. Does pitching, defense and timely hitting win championships?
Even if your favorite team isn’t in it, pick one for any reason. Talk about what you see: great plays, unsung heroes, clutch performances, and something unexpected.
This month is about playing, watching, learning and getting excited about GREAT BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL!
September 2016: Fun
The number one goal for young baseball & softball players is to have FUN!
If you are not having fun, then it’s time to take a step back and figure out why.
This is not only about the players. This is for coaches and parents as well.
Players: Make sure you love the game. If you don’t love the game, then you will not put in the work required to become a better player. Every player has more fun when they succeed. If you have on interest in the game, you will not apply yourself in practice – which will directly effect what you do on the field.
Parents: Make sure your child is playing for the right reasons. See above. To be blunt, do not force your child to play a game he or she does not like. Work with them as much as you can at home. Find out fun ways to do that. Get special instruction and lessons if you can.
Coaches: As much as I hate to say this, the biggest complaints I receive from my students are:
“It’s boring.”
“It’s not fun.”
“I’m not learning anything.”
“We do the same things over and over again.”
“My coach won’t let me try different positions.”
It is without question the coach’s responsibility to make the game FUN! That starts with practices.
Infield practice for the sake of infield practice without detailed demonstration and discussion is not effective. It’s even less effective when you are barking or yelling instructions about what they are doing wrong. Stop practice and demonstrate. These are called “Teaching Moments”. Recognize when that moment arrives.
This is teaching and learning! Repeating the same type of practices over and over again is boring for everyone. You need to change it up.
Stop stigmatizing players. This is probably the number one complaint from all players.
There is a difference between safety and not giving kids a chance just because.
As an example: I have so many students tell me, “My coach won’t let me try X position.”
I test them and I can see they are perfectly capable of playing that position. So, why aren’t you letting them? Making the game FUN does not fall on the player – unless they are there for the wrong reasons.
1. TEACH
2. MOTIVATE
3. DO NOT STIGMATIZE
4. HAVE CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
5. DO FUN THINGS
6. MAKE PRACTICES MEMORABLE
The same thing goes for games! It is NOT all about winning!
August 2016: Visualization
“See yourself doing right and you do right,” ~Mickey – Rocky V.
“In order to actualize, you must visualize,” – Coach Pete.
The brain is the most powerful organ in the body. Without the brain, we have nothing. In order to reach the highest levels of performance that your body is capable of, you must learn to use your mind. One of the most powerful ways of doing so is to visualize exactly what you need to do physically with a positive end result. Research proves that performance can be enhanced through the practice of visualization. It is a way to relax. It builds your confidence when you quickly remind yourself that you know what to do and you know you can do it.
July 2016: Perfect Repetitions
The following numbers are scientifically proven to be correct. It takes 1,000 perfect repetitions to create or break a habit. It takes 10,000 perfect repetitions to make something automatic. It takes 10,000 hours of perfect repetitions to give yourself the chance to play at the highest levels. The key word here is PERFECT. If you are doing reps for the sake of doing reps, they do not count. Once you learn what perfection is, you need to repeat it over and over again to create muscle memory.
June 2016: Sportsmanship
In order to learn how to win, you need to learn how to lose – with dignity! In order to learn how to succeed, you must learn how to fail – with dignity! Win, lose or draw; success or failure; we ARE Sportsmen and Gentlemen.
May 2016: Confidence
Be unwavering, unflappable, unshakable, and confident on the mound. Don’t show emotion, and always be there to pick up your teammates as well.
April 2016: Beast Mode
Find the BEAST inside you! Let everyone know… “I can tame any beast, because I AM ONE!”
