Movement Over Mechanics

Devonta Smith needs to just say, no.. I’m not running a 40, not wasting my time preparing for pointless combine drills...do my medical, turn my tape on, and watch how I move. Watch my skill bc it is all the eval you need pic.twitter.com/drbsl0d8RK

— 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫 (@GorillaMyscles) January 12, 2021

Baseball is king of pointless drills.  Drills that get "mechanics" right.  Building powerfully adaptable hitters is the core of how we train hitters.  I often take a lot of blowback from coaches on how we train hitters because it doesn't look like what you would traditionally see.

Our goal is to train the mover over the movement.  Every pitch presents a unique problem that is to be solved.  The more tools you have in the tool belt, the better chance you will have to solve the problem.  Just like Devonta doesn't need to run the 40, most hitters don't need to practice predetermined pitch problems ie tee work.  That's not what hitting is.

Hitting is the unique ability to match your range of movement solutions to the unique problem of the flight of the pitch.  Solving it requires a range of movement potentials, train them.

Adapt or Die

While others complain, Nick Saban adapts. And that’s a big reason why he keeps winding up in the same place. https://t.co/Cpn4ajcJeB pic.twitter.com/jijTqN7qAA

— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) January 12, 2021

Remember when Nick Saban beat LSU 9-6?  Yeah, me too

Remember when Nick Saban used to complain about up tempo spread offenses?  Yeah, me too

At 69 years of age Nick Saban could have very easily dug his heals in and said "we do what we do" and never changed, but he didn't

Instead of continuing to complain about it, he has built an offensive juggernaut at Alabama.

In his coaching career that's filled with impressive stats, this might be the most impressive.

A baseball revolution has been happening for the last 5 years and continues to happen today.  Using data as a feedback tool isn't going away. Optimizing player performance using technology isn't going way.  You can either adapt or die.

Fun is Good

2 minutes on data driven youth hitting training. We don't fear data, because it helps us to:

🆒Orient for long term 90ft success
🚮Not optimize for short term 60ft results

Oh, and whether you like it or not, the kids WANT it. pic.twitter.com/pJLGcU9bxF

— Deven Morgan (@devenmorgan) January 11, 2021

Measure the process and adjust where needed.  Optimizing for the level you are on almost certainly guarantees you won't be ready for the level you are going.

Optimizing for the level you are going gives you a chance to be successful at the level you are and gives you a chance to be ready for the level you are going.

Train accordingly, and yeah, like Deven says hitting the ball hard in the air is fun, and fun is good.

Swings of the Day

Francisco Lindor - New York Mets pic.twitter.com/GuZdkNWILo

— Craig Hyatt (@HyattCraig) January 8, 2021

Josh Bell - Washington Nationals pic.twitter.com/Cpeq230GVU

— Craig Hyatt (@HyattCraig) December 27, 2020

“A movement is correct when it perfectly fits a motor problem just as a key easily opens a lock.” pic.twitter.com/Op8EUSUCQj

— Chad Longworth (@clongbaseball) December 24, 2020

Other Things You Guys Sent Me That I Like

Incompetent people like to squabble over trivial details.

People who squander time on the unessential tend to have no time for the essential.

Tell them they're probably right, move on, and avoid working with them in the future.

— Shane Parrish (@ShaneAParrish) January 12, 2021

They can take away your life but they can't take away your will to live.
They can crush your dreams but they can't crush your ability to dream.
They can break your heart but they can't break your desire to love.
The world can't change you. Only you can.

— Mark Manson (@IAmMarkManson) January 12, 2021

During our podcast I asked @GowagsKyle what his biggest pet peeve in baseball development today?

What’s yours? pic.twitter.com/NUyRvu8sgg

— Play Ball Kid (@PlayBallKidInc) January 12, 2021

Really cool take here from Murph. The switch to a bigger barrrel as he learned how to control the energy and create “whip.” pic.twitter.com/1JLZlYAeCh

— Tim Gibbons (@LineDrivePro) January 12, 2021

You'll do what it takes, or you won't, but it takes what it takes, regardless.

— Casey Fisk (@FiskPT) January 12, 2021

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