Ahead Of The Curve with Jonathan Gelnar

Jeff Leach- Manager of Hitting, Axe Bat

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This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and Axebats.
Go to axebat.com and use our code AOTC at checkout to save 10% on your purchase of Axe Bat training products including all of the Axe Bat Speed Trainers and wood bats! 
 
During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Jeff Leach, Manager of Hitting at Axe Bat. Jeff Leach shares his wealth of experience as a swinging coach for players as young as 8-years old all the way up to the professional level. Jeff offers tips on various methods of training swing timing, when players should shut down on a swing, and how to find solutions for issues that players may have with their swing. 
 
Episode Highlights: 
How did Jeff Leach get involved in baseball coaching?   
What does Jeff do for Axe Bat? 
What is Jeff Leach’s system for developing players when he starts with them?  
How does he balance his training for players of very different skill levels? 
What are Jeff’s main goals for the off-season? 
What tools does Jeff Leach use to evaluate player’s abilities? 
Where does he start looking first to identify solutions for the problems of players? 
Are there different ways that Jeff uses to train swing timing? 
How does Jeff help players to decide when to shut down on a swing? 
What is Jeff’s advice to players about what to swing at? 
Is there something that Jeff has learned lately that has him really excited?  
What is something that his players do in training that they love? 
What is something that Jeff believes that other coaches may disagree with?
Is there anything about his training that would stand out to people?  
What are some of Jeff Leach’s favorite books and resources that have benefited his coaching? 
3 Key Points:
Baseball skill tools include arm strength, hitting, hitting for power, speed, and fielding. 
Jeff’s swinging advice is to look for speed or look for a location. 
Finding a feel you trust in a competition is probably more important than rehearsing a perfect swing movement. 
Tweetable Quotes:
“I’m the manager hitting for Axe Bat. My role is to engage the baseball and softball community and help players really discover the Axe handle and the benefits.” – Jeff Leach (02:08)
“I migrated from an individual to a group training environment. I could train more players more often with more tools.” – Jeff Leach (04:02)
“If you are looking at an 8-year-old kid, he doesn’t have a lot of experience in the game. He may not be motivated at a high level to really train and practice at his craft without being pushed.” – Jeff Leach (04:39)
“My philosophy basically is that, hitting is an infinite moving problem and I need to give them as many solutions to that problem as possible.” – Jeff Leach (07:35)
“I think that every off-season for a player should be, first and foremost, about improving the player’s tools.” – Jeff Leach (10:22)
“As far as drills, I really like to work with drills that require the least amount of verbal reinforcement.” – Jeff Leach (11:00)
“Adjustability is really what we are talking about when talk about timing. Are you on time? Can you adjust your timing to barrel a baseball when your body is off?” – Jeff Leach (20:00)
“I love to throw wiffle balls and have wiffle ball games with guys. I think that's one of the most exciting things that a player can do. The competition level increases when they start competing against teammates.” – Jeff Leach (32:50) 
Resources Mentioned: 
Ahead of the Curve Podcast
Twitter: @AOTC_podcast
Jeff Leach: Linkedin  Twitter
Jeff Leach’s Email: Jeff@axebat.com
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Nova Southeastern Head Coach Greg Brown on Batting Practice setup and ”Theme Thursdays”

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Jeff Carlson- Head Baseball Coach (retired), Elk Grove HS (CA)

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This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and Axebats.
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During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interview Jeff Carlson, Ex-Head Baseball Coach at Elk Grove Baseball in Elk Grove, California. Jeff Carlson shares his wealth of knowledge for father’s that are coaches and have kids playing baseball. Jeff also offers valuable tips on how to communicate openly and accurately with players and coaches, how to handle parents that are concerned about their kid’s playing time, and what have been beneficial strategies for fundraisers.
Episode Highlights:
         How did Jeff Carlson get involved in baseball coaching?
         What advice does Jeff Carlson give to those transitioning from coaching to focusing on family?
         What has been Jeff’s experience with his two sons playing baseball?
         What did the conversations look like with Jeff’s sons when he had to critique their playing?
         Was there ever a time with his sons playing baseball where he had to push them to practice more?
         What was Jeff Carlson’s experience like at Elk Grove when he first started?
         What are some different practical ways that Jeff was able to get players prepared to succeed?
         How did Jeff turn his coaching approach into a system that he could apply?
         What are Jeff Carlson’s thoughts on the power of communication?
         What is the fine line between effective communication and something they may not need to worry about?
         How did Jeff Carlson deal with parents feedback about their kids not playing in games?
         What hard rules did Jeff Carlson set out each year?  
         What were his teams’ best fundraisers?
         Did his staff interview with him or through the school’s athletic director?
 What is something they did in practice that his players loved?
         What books and resources that have benefited Jeff Carlson?
3 Key Points:
    Find ways to get your team to spend time together before and after practice, such as having a clubhouse.
    You can’t coach and communicate the same way with each player. It has to be tailored to their individual personalities.
    Informal conversations with coaching candidates have been Jeff’s interviewing process.
Tweetable Quotes:
     “For your kids, always try to challenge them. Don’t be afraid that they might fail. When they learn failure at an early age, it’s just going to make them stronger and a better person and player down the road.” – Jeff Carlson (04:15)
     “As far as building culture, building communication as a head coach, I think that it is important that when a kid makes a mistake, that maybe you put your  arm around him and tell him.” – Jeff Carlson (09:22)
     “My main goal was about developing players, so that they could play at the next level.” – Jeff Carlson (16:21)
     “My philosophy was, ‘If you’re not hitting, you aren’t going to be able to play at the next level.’” – Jeff Carlson (26:03)
     “We always brought the kids in and we would talk to them where they are at and tell them their roles. And we tell the kids, ‘We are going to be honest. You may not like what you hear. But, we are going to be honest to you.’” – Jeff Carlson (33:33)
     “My rule was always, the player can always come to me at the appropriate time and discuss playing time. I was not going to discuss it with the parents, ever.” – Jeff Carlson (40:01)
     “I think our budget when I finished was about $100,000 to run our program, which is a lot.”– Jeff Carlson (46:00)
     “Try to surround yourself with the best possible coaches you can find.”– Jeff Carlson (47:30)
Resources Mentioned:
Ahead of the Curve Podcast
Twitter: @AOTC_podcast
Jeff Carlson: Twitter
Jeff Carlson Email: JEGCarls@EGUSD.net
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HiPro Hitting’s Chris Dunn on two-way communication, and constraints in the team setting

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Drew Saylor- MiLB Manager and Hitting Coordinator, Pittsburgh Pirates

This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and Axebats.
Go to axebat.com and use our code AOTC at checkout to save 10% on your purchase of Axe Bat training products including all of the Axe Bat Speed Trainers and wood bats! 
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During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interview Drew Saylor, Player Development and Assistant Hitting Coordinator with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Drew provides listeners with an inside look into recruiting and communication strategies, how he is able to maneuver between both of his job roles, how to train players to get their mind and body in sync to respond in game situations, and what it takes to improve timing and rhythm as a hitter.
 
Episode Highlights:
How did Drew Saylor get involved in baseball and coaching?
Drew Saylor discusses his dynamic relationship with his wife.
What were some of the first things he did when he got hired?
How are some of the recruiting conversations like when you are a new hire?
What are the unique tasks of having two different roles within the Pittsburgh Pirates organization?
How can you maximize communication for development from a macro and micro level?
What are ways Drew addresses hitting issues?
How is the communication successfully executed with players?
How can players be trained to develop timing and rhythm?
What are ways to help players learn to adjust to various situations in the moment?
What are ways to get players excited about training and implementing competition into their training?
Which books have had a strong impact on Drew Saylor?
What are things that are done in training that his players love?
Which additional resources have benefitted Drew Saylor?
3 Key Points:
Being transparent and vulnerable add to being a trusted leader.
Coordinators aren’t just problem fixers. They are also a higher-level form of overall support and feedback.  
It’s not about trying to speed up your swing. It’s about trying to give yourself more time for your A-swing to get the contact.
Tweetable Quotes:
“A lot of what we’ve done is create the culture, create the relationships, and then now we are trying to build out how we view and how we evaluate our people.” – Drew Saylor (10:00)
“A lot of what I’ve done as a leader is be able to go, ‘Hey I’ve failed this way. I have messed up this way. I have fallen short of the mark this way,’ and have those transparent moments.” – Drew Saylor (12:15)
“For me, what I’ve tried to accomplish as a coordinator is to not lose that feel of that day-to-day.” – Drew Saylor (14:08)
“One of my big goals is spending time with the hitting coaches and with the managers, and say, ‘Hey, how is the chemistry of the club? What are some of the hot spots? How can I support you?’” – Drew Saylor (17:19)
“I like to think about failure as moving forward.” – Drew Saylor (19:42)
“It really starts with their ability to, swing at something they can hit hard.” – Drew Saylor (22:14)
(Timing) “I think that when players are not necessarily on time, or they don’t have the ability to get on time, one of the first questions that we try to ask them is, ‘When are you starting?” – Drew Saylor (33:13)
“When the idea comes from within, there is more investment. But you’re also helping the player indirectly think through a batting process of their swing.”– Drew Saylor (36:25)
 
Resources Mentioned:
Ahead of the Curve Podcast
Twitter: @AOTC_podcast
Linkedin: Drew Saylor
Twitter: @DrewSaylor19
Books: “Thinking Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman  “The Traveler’s Gift” by Andy Andrews
 
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NIACC Head Coach Travis Hergert on a culture of development and competition

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Justin Willard- MiLB Pitching Coach, Minnesota Twins

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Episode Highlights:
Why did Justin Willard get involved in baseball coaching?
In what ways have the Minnesota Twins changed in recent years?
How can you maximize individuals in a team setting?
How does Justin Willard access his players?
In what ways can a player’s skill faults be fixed?  
As far as proprioception, does it have to be sport specific?  
What is Justin looking for in a pitcher?
What does communication look like with his players?
Are their common problems that Justin sees?
How can coaches get players to implement individual corrections?  
How is the communication system within coaches established?
How do we develop command to help pitchers compete in the strike zone?
What is Justin’s advice to teach a lefty pick move?
What would a week look like for training a pitcher?
How can you prepare the pitcher’s body to throw?
How does rest and recovery work after a pitcher has been throwing?
How can you simplify data to make it accessible to players?
The ultimate goal is hit and miss.
What is the fine line between having too many pitches and focusing on go-to pitches?
What resources have Justin really excited right now?
What training routines keep Justin’s players motivated?  
Are there any books that Justin loves?
Baseball is an organism with many moving parts.
 
3 Key Points:
Justin Willard accesses players by rating their proprioception, mobility, stability, and mental capabilities.
70% of our brain is optical power.
The training goal is to ‘feed the flaw,’ which is to help players feel what their flaw is and overcorrect it.  
Tweetable Quotes:
“The people aspect is something that we as coaches often overlook. Helping people grow is a huge, huge aspect of coaching.” – Justin Willard (01:38)
“I’m going to put you in the best position to see the ball. That’s what we as humans do. We want to see.” – Justin Willard (09:07)
“If you can’t throw a change-up, it’s probably because you can’t get a proper extension of your arm. So, let’s work on the things that will help you get there.” – Justin Willard (20:55)
“You need to have all your information and your ability to communicate in one kind of central location.” – Justin Willard (22:09)
“I’m very big on restraint-based training, understanding and manipulating the organism, the task, and the environment.“ – Justin Willard (25:59)
“Throwing should be the easy part. Getting our body warm and ready and sweating, that happens before throwing.” – Justin Willard (36:41)
“I would rather have a guy with an 80-grade pitch and no command than a guy with a 40-50 grade pitch with phenomenal command.” – Justin Willard (40:07)
“If you boil down this whole player development process, you can’t just look at one sphere.”– Justin Willard (51:1)
Resources Mentioned:
Ahead of the Curve Podcast
Twitter: @AOTC_podcast
Linkedin: Justin Willard
Twitter: @JustWillard2
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Oxford HS Head Coach Wes Brooks on Competition, BP and Practice Planning

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Donegal Fergus- Associate Head Coach and Hitting Coach, UC Santa Barbara (CA)

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During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interview Donegal Fergus, Associate Head Coach at University of California at Santa Barbara. Coach Fergus describes his deep and eventful journey toward getting into baseball coaching. Learn from Donegal Fergus’ experience with gaining trust in his team players, training them to think on their feet for themselves, and how to train properly for having great timing as a hitter.  
Episode Highlights:
Why did Donegal Fergus decide to get into baseball coaching?
What are the typical fall training routines for Coach Fergus’ team?
What is the process of getting to work with training after establishing trust with the team?
What were the main goals for Coach Fergus to make his team successful?
What are habits that good players do on a typical basis?
How does Donegal Fergus go about training for timing?
What does the phrase ‘bat or barrel’ mean to Coach Fergus?
How does Coach Fergus handle batting practice?  
What is the latest think Donegal Fergus has learned that has gotten him excited?
Are there things during practice that his players can’t get enough of?
What are some of his favorite resources?
 
3 Key Points:
Kids have a strong sense when adults aren’t authentic and are pretending to be something they aren’t.  
Hitters should learn how to ‘dance with the pitcher’,’ meaning sync up and feel the rhythm of the pitcher’s throws and movements.
A hitting exercise of having players miss a hit on purpose is a way to train their bat path and timing.
Tweetable Quotes:
“I tell our guys almost every day, ‘Hitting is really hard.” We are going to have days, no matter how good you are, that you aren’t very good.” – Donegal Fergus (07:55)
“One of the biggest things with building relationships is that it has to start from a baseline of safely, with a safe environment, where you aren’t afraid to share, and you aren’t afraid to collaborate.” – Jonathan Gelnar (10:30)
“I don’t want to get boxed into what my guys need.” – Donegal Fergus (19:33)
“We went into it with sort of the blank slate of getting with our guys and letting them lead us where we need to go.” – Donegal Fergus (22:59)
“The less that I have to be involved from a hand-holding standpoint the better. The more I can take myself out of the equation the better, creating curious learners that ask questions, versus asking for the answers.”– Donegal Fergus (23:30)
“We need to figure out what we’re seeing and what our body does in reaction to that, and rewire it sometimes.“ – Donegal Fergus (28:26)
“Don’t swing at his pitch, swing at your pitch…if it’s not your pitch then it is a ball in our mind.” – Donegal Fergus (39:52)
“Why certain CEOs or politicians are so successful is because they stopped worrying about external expectations or external social ques. It doesn’t affect them.” – Donegal Fergus (51:04)
Resources Mentioned:
Ahead of the Curve Podcast
Twitter: @AOTC_podcast
Linkedin: Donegal Fergus
Instagram: @donegalfergus
Twitter: @coachferg
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Savannah Bananas Head Coach Tyler Gillum on Pressure, Failing and Prehab

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