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Life Lessons Life Lesson #32: Hustle Hustle Often times a term that is not taken seriously by young athletes, hustle is a word that means much more than moving quickly. There are certain intangibles created by an atmosphere of hustle. Practices become more efficient, athletes more respectful, and expectations more challenging. TAKING THE FIELD The easiest way to encourage hustle is to establish a specific way to take the field as a team. At the onset of each defensive inning, every player on the field is to sprint to their position. There is no walking or jogging, regardless of the distance of their sprint. The team is showing the opponent that they are ready and excited to play, confident and prepared. At the onset, this should be a team rule, enforced equally to every defensive player. And a rule that, if violated, results in the entire team returning to the dugout to take the field once again. Remember that any athlete that was on the bases when the inning ended does not have to return to the dugout. Instead, another defensive athlete can bring his teammate?s hat and glove out to that player. PREGAME The first time a team will take the field is for pregame infield/outfield. It?s very important that this be done tightly as a unit. Additionally, taking the field before pregame should be accompanied with a team yell. A firm, loud team yell announces that this team is ready to play! It draws everyone?s attention to the fact that each player is well-dressed and well-prepared to play. Then, every member of the team sprints to their position, showing a team hustle that will establish the tempo and pace of the game. Taking the field with a team yell and team sprint communicates: ?We are in charge, and we are ready to play. We will come after you with an intensity that is conveyed from the first time we step on the field.? Hustle plays a role in the psychology of a winner, and subconsciously sets the tone for the entire game. POSTGAME I?ve always been a big fan of post game talks. After shaking the opposing teams? hands, the team is to jog down the foul line onto the outfield grass. The meeting offers coaches an opportunity to discuss any significant lessons learned from that day?s game. While I don?t believe a sprint is necessary for this meeting, a team that jogs together from home plate down the line shows a unity that can?t be broken? regardless of victory or defeat. PRACTICE ? The Lifeletics Way! Coaches can involve teaching hustle when taking the field through this conditioning drill. We call it The Lifeletics Way, and teach athletes that hustling represents much more than simply a physical sprint. Taking the field The Lifeletics Way involves athletes running a minimum of 9 sprints, some being very short while others considerably longer. To begin, athletes are each assigned a position (double up as necessary). At the coach?s whistle, the team is to sprint to their respective positions. At a second whistle, the team sprints back to the dugout. The next whistle signals sprint #2. However, the athletes will rotate positions after each sprint ? left-fielder is now center-field, center-fielder is now right-fielder, and right-fielder moves into first base. After the drill is complete, each athlete will have sprinted to each position. Any time an athlete does not fully sprint to their position, send the team back to the dugout notifying them that those positions will need to be repeated. An effective way to disguise conditioning, coaches can involve running while teaching the principles of hustle. Hustle is a controlled movement of aggression, one that helps to set both the pace and energy level of a ball game. A team that hustles looks tight and sharp as a unit. Therefore, the same team expects its level of play to live up to that level. Similar to a sales force being required to wear a coat and tie, this line of thinking suggests that salesman perform up to their own expectations. If you place a salesman in a coat and tie (rather than a polo and jeans), that salesman is more likely to act in a professional and business-like manner, striving towards lofty goals and team performances. Employers and coaches alike want to see a team of workers that work hard, have fun and ultimately win. Hustle plays a big part all three of those actions. |
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