A Plan of Action – Part 1
Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better BallplayerLast week I wrote about the need for more practice time for young players trying to get better. If you are committed to that idea of true player development, then follow the steps I’ve outlined for you this week. There is no overnight fix, but dedication to this process will make you a better player for sure.
Step 1: Create an honest evaluation – This should include a self-evaluation as well as an objective evaluation from a baseball professional. In the self-evaluation phase, players must be honest with themselves. They know their own abilities and shortcomings well, but are often hesitant to admit any weakness. Without addressing these things they can’t formulate a truly helpful game plan. A professional scout is the best person to offer an objective evaluation of the player, but coaches and former players also have the ability to outline a player’s strengths and weaknesses. A player who wants to improve must be able to put away his ego and accept constructive criticism during the evaluation process. Moving forward he must be willing to work not just on accentuating strengths, but on attacking weaknesses as well. Knowing these strengths and weaknesses is the first step.
Step 2: Formulate long-term goals – Players need very specific future goals to work towards. These goals should be realistic and encompass the big picture. They must be more than game statistics; they must drive the player in all areas on and off the field. Once a player determines where he is now as a baseball player and where he realistically wants to be in the future, he is ready to move forward in the player development process.
Check back next week as I will touch on two more steps in the player development process: Developing a game plan and formulating short-term goals.
Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt currently serves as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.
Step 1: Create an honest evaluation – This should include a self-evaluation as well as an objective evaluation from a baseball professional. In the self-evaluation phase, players must be honest with themselves. They know their own abilities and shortcomings well, but are often hesitant to admit any weakness. Without addressing these things they can’t formulate a truly helpful game plan. A professional scout is the best person to offer an objective evaluation of the player, but coaches and former players also have the ability to outline a player’s strengths and weaknesses. A player who wants to improve must be able to put away his ego and accept constructive criticism during the evaluation process. Moving forward he must be willing to work not just on accentuating strengths, but on attacking weaknesses as well. Knowing these strengths and weaknesses is the first step.
Step 2: Formulate long-term goals – Players need very specific future goals to work towards. These goals should be realistic and encompass the big picture. They must be more than game statistics; they must drive the player in all areas on and off the field. Once a player determines where he is now as a baseball player and where he realistically wants to be in the future, he is ready to move forward in the player development process.
Check back next week as I will touch on two more steps in the player development process: Developing a game plan and formulating short-term goals.
Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt currently serves as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.
Labels: action plan, high school, player development, practice, steve bernhardt, youth
posted by Dave Lax at
12:22 PM
1 Comments:
I enjoyed reading your article Steve. We are in the process of revising some of my son's goals. He finds this helpful but sometimes not the most glamorous of all of his baseball activities. However, he has come to realize that success in baseball or any endeaver depepnds on setting and revising goals. Thanks for the tip..and I look forward to reading your next article.
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