Talent is things you do well, while habits are things you do well repeatedly without thought. Skills are things you do well repeatedly without thought while under stress.
As my Diamond Directors’ students know, it takes 3,000 reps to build a habit. Every good hitter must learn the seven parts of the swing, which includes 21,000 reps:
- Stance/Load
- Timing
- Tempo
- Tracking
- Approach
- Contact
- Extension/Finish
As a matter of focus, my hitters commit to this plan of action for development.
I truly believe that having three months of assessment is vital for hitting development. My hitters are allowed to try new things to determine what works and what doesn’t August-October.
Most Travel Baseball Coaches cannot allow this to happen because they need to win to be viewed as a “good organization.” I’ve coached under this pressure in the past and it is exhausting.
Do yourself a favor and commit to assessing your talent this fall, and build your habits and strength this winter.
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.
Remember: Intelligence tops being smart.
For more information, visit www.diamonddirectors.com today. Also, check out our Digital Magazine.
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.
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