Topic: Hustle

Activity:

• Bad practice habits demonstration.
• Without explaining what you're doing, demonstrate good ground ball fielding techniques.
• Now demonstrate bad, lazy fielding techniques
• Ask which version of the player looked ready to play, the 1st or 2nd?
• Same person, different results, all based on effort.
• Explain that turning "Player 1" on during a game is impossible if you practice like "Player 2"

Conversation Starters:

• Q: What does hustle mean to you?
  • A: Answers will vary.
• Q: What are some opportunities for you to hustle on the baseball diamond?
  • A: Anything. Whenever you do anything, do it to the best of your ability. Fielding ground balls. Running the bases. Running on/off the field.
• Q: Do you think your coaches hustle? How?
  • A: They create a plan for every practice to help prepare you for your next game. They show up early to practice and games to get the field ready. They spend time creating the batting lineup or defense rotations.

Key Points:

• Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
• If you practice using bad habits, what will you actually be getting better at? Doing things the wrong way, with bad habits

“The Ride Home”

• I loved watching you play.
• Think about your next spelling quiz. To get a good grade, you've got to practice. You have two options:
  • You can hustle by turning off the distractions, practice with your parents, write your spelling words down 10 times, ect.
  • You can give 1/2 effort by having the TV on while you study or rush through your spelling words so you can play with friends.
  • Which method will work better?
• What are some goals that you have? When you practice, what things can you do that show hustle? Washing dishes? Cleaning your room?
• If you don't take the time to do it right, do you have time to do it over?