Chris Holt on autonomy, utilizing coaches strengths, and whats next in pitching development

Coaches vs. Covid fredhutch.org/coachesvscovid Today we have on the pitching coordinator for the Baltimore Orioles, Chris Holt. Chris Oversees the development of every pitcher in the organization and have an increased presence on the Major League side.  On the show we talk about how he builds in autonomy and lets the coaches in the system utilize their strengths, how we can embrace who the player is but also help the improve and we talk about what he thinks the next wave is in pitching development is.    Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto When you have a small amount of players. (6 players) play double or nothing.  Players go for a double no matter where the ball is.  This can build instincts.  “Coordinators coach the coaches.”  You have to realize you want guys around you who will do things the right way.  You want your players to do things their own way in order for them to problem solve the best way possible.  Once you have buy in the approach has to be “Let’s get work done.”  There is less difficulty to create buy in when there is objective data.  Tell players what they do well and what they don’t.  Explain why behind each finding and how they can improve.  Understand the player as a person and find out how they learn best.  With players who aren’t buying in be honest and real with the player.  Players need to realize that “We don’t have time to waste, so let’s not waste it.”  Our time playing the game is very short.  Be close with your players so that you can be completely truthful with them.  Understand where the player comes from and his background.  Spend time in the office talking to the player and what they believe in.  “Players need to maintain what got them good in the first place.”  We want our players to own their performance.  Throw your regular bullpen and then then finish off with a game called one shot.  The coach gives the location, count, pitch, and situation. If the player executed this pitch then the coach will do ten pushups or some other exercise. If the player misses then they have to do the exercise.  This allows you to be vulnerable around your players and creates a fun atmosphere.  The next goal is to maximize the sequencing and deception aspects of the pitcher’s mix and delivery.  To get a players as good of a pitch off that he can the pitcher needs to have athleticism, rhythm, and tempo in the delivery.  The pitcher must have a be on attack mindset.  There must be an intent behind the work instead of an intent to throw hard.  “Intent is having a purpose.”  The next wave of guys are those who can pitch vertically and horizontally. (Nightmare repertoire).  Work on simplifying what you are saying for clear understanding.  Get into the art of cues.  This can help players understand to maximize their performance.  “You want to be simple and concise.”  Find out what kind of learning that excites the players.  Players need to understand that failing is a part of improvement.  Be positive and enthusiastic with the player.  Take complicated aspects and simplify it down to simplistic terms.  When reading and learning focus on what speaks to you.  Your thoughts become your habits, and habits become your performance.  Whatever we are learning, we need to create mastery in order to teach it well.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices