Non-Negotiables for Sustaining Success As A Pitcher

The makeup of any GREAT athlete requires a variety of physical tools. What gets missed too often are the foundational characteristics. Things like discipline, composure, awareness of yourself and your surroundings, and above all, the desire and will to compete...to always compete. These help to makeup an uncommon person...priority number one.

But how do we apply those characteristics to pitching? As a pitcher, we control everything…until the ball leaves the hand. At that point, we control nothing. This forces us to be great at the things we do control and to have the discipline and awareness to stay composed in the moment when the uncontrollable things don’t go our way. After becoming the uncommon person we want to be, we turn to these actions and routines that are required to sustaining success as a pitcher.

1. Prepare

a. Mentally

1. Create a game plan for your opponent.

2. Know your team's signs, defensive playbook, etc.

b. Physically

1. Fine tune deliveries through bullpens, flatgrounds, and dry work.

2. Include pick-off work every day.

3. Never stop the Strength and Conditioning piece...this is key.

c. Emotionally

1. Learn to control breathing and be present in the moment.

2. Embrace and appreciate all of your emotions. Compose them and compete.

d. If it’s you, prepare Spiritually

1. If this is as important to you as it is to me, be right spiritually.

2. Execute

a. You have a plan…put it to work.

b. Execute Pitches

1. Locate

2. Move it

3. Develop effective velocity

c. Execute holds

1. Vary looks, timing, and the type of pick

2. Understand offensive situations that are good times for action

d. Execute the playbook

1. 1st & 3rd, bunts, and any other situations that call for a pitcher to be involved

2. Be in the right place at the right time

3. Recover

a. Recover the mind

1. Sleep & Nutrition

2. Review the last appearance and adjust where needed.

c. Recover the body

1. Sleep & Nutrition

i. Throwing one pitch is a violent, full-body action, pushing the body to the limits of what it can do…it requires REST to be sustainable.

2. Lift

3. Take care of the arm!

4. Repeat

a. After recovering physically and mentally from the last appearance, we immediately start preparation for the next one.

b. Repeat routines, repeat mechanics, repeat the delivery…all done to repeat positive results.

As we get into August, what are your goals for the off-season? How do you plan to hit those objectives? Who else will play a productive role in that process?

There are people that will wholly support you on your journey. On the flip side, there are also people that will try to distract you from what you’re driving towards. Surround yourself with those that will challenge you in every way. Surround yourself with friends and family that will support your journey and root for your success. Surround yourself with uncommon people and it will only help you to be the same.