Why the 75/20/5 Rule is your ticket to The Show

Philosophy is a system of thought. What is your coach’s hitting philosophy? Mine is the 75/20/5 Rule, which I created so that I can be held accountable for executing it by my hitters.

I believe that:

• 75% of your development must happen on your own
• 20% of your development must happen in the presence of a Coach
• 5% of your development must happen from your games, which will dictate what you need to focus on at your next practice on your own

Let’s dig a little deeper.

On Your Own
Your swing is broken into seven parts. As my Diamond Directors’ clients know, it takes 3,000 reps per part to adequately assess what you are doing to determine what is working and what is not. That is 21,000 reps:

1. Stance/Load
2. Timing
3. Tempo
4. Tracking
5. Approach
6. Contact
7. Extension/Finish

An accurate assessment from a Coach will allow you to focus on the part(s) of your swing that needs development. Next, you need simple and effective drills to execute on your own to get you to 3,000 reps, which will help determine what is working and what is not this fall.

With Your Coach

• Practice builds habits.
• Talent is what you do well.
• Habits are what you do well repeatedly without thought.
• Skills is what you do well repeatedly without thought while under stress.

Remember that the fall (August-October) is the time to try new things. It is the time to find out what works and what does not. Ideally, November through January is when my hitters build habits based on what we have worked on during the fall (August-October). February through April is when we begin to practice under pressure to prepare for performing in games.

So, this fall, have your coach focus on challenging your swing at practice. This will help determine what works and what does not. Work on increasing your power by trying to hit with a High Leg, Hand Drop, Toe Tap or Bat Wrap.

It’s the fall, y’all.

In the Game
The game is where you test what you have been working on both alone and with your Coach. A test gives you feedback. It enables you to understand what you can and cannot do. If you get negative feedback from your game, you know exactly what you need to focus on at your next practice.

To help keep your skills sharp, we have introduced a new type of Skill Build—our Virtual Skill Build, where I can help you develop hitting skills anytime, anywhere using anything. Check it out.

Remember: Intelligence tops being smart.

For more information, visit www.diamonddirectors.com today. Also, check out our Digital Magazine.

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C.J. Stewart has built a reputation as one of the leading professional hitting instructors in the country. He is a former professional baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization and has also served as an associate scout for the Cincinnati Reds. As founder and CEO of Diamond Directors Player Development, C.J. has more than 22 years of player development experience and has built an impressive list of clients, including some of the top young prospects in baseball today. If your desire is to change your game for the better, C.J. Stewart has a proven system of development and a track record of success that can work for you.