In this episode of the Mindset U Playbook, Curtis Pelletier reconnects with Tanner Swanson, the director of catching for the New York Yankees. They discuss Tanner's journey through coaching, starting from his time at the University of Washington to his current role with the Yankees. Tanner shares insights on the evolution of catching techniques, emphasizing the importance of adapting to new data and analytics in player development. He reflects on the challenges of introducing innovative catching styles, particularly the knee-down stance, and how it has transformed the way catchers approach their roles in the game. Tanner also highlights the significance of mental skills in coaching, focusing on building trust and maintaining a consistent mindset among players.

Keywords

Tanner Swanson, New York Yankees, catching techniques, player development, analytics in baseball, mindset coaching, knee-down stance, baseball coaching, catcher training, mental skills

Takeaways

• "You continue to want to push and sharpen your craft."
• "I kind of wake up every day with this panic that we're missing something."
• "The act of doing and being available and saying yes to things before you maybe feel ready was a really positive thing for my journey."
• "It's hard to be stagnant in this industry; the expectations are so high."
• "You want to feel the ground; we're anchored to the ground."
• "It's about influencing, not necessarily selling concepts to players."
• "You have to know the player and how they respond to feedback."
• "The quality of hitter that we're seeing at the position right now is much different than it was five, seven, ten years ago."
• "You have to get that piece; you just lose credibility with the people you're trying to impact."
• "Focus on improving yourself rather than comparing to others."

Titles

• Revolutionizing Catching: Insights from Tanner Swanson
• The Evolution of Catching Techniques with Tanner Swanson

Sound Bites

• "It's hard to be stagnant in this industry."
• "I wake up every day with this panic."
• "I don't have many non-negotiables."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Reconnection

01:39
The Journey to the Yankees

06:34
Innovative Catching Techniques

10:19
Understanding Pitch Framing

16:44
Implementing New Techniques in Real Time

20:52
Shifting Scouting Philosophies

24:12
The Impact of the Challenge System

25:32
Understanding Umpires and Their Impact

27:04
The Mental Game: Coaching Mindsets

29:23
Building Relationships with Young Players

31:44
Adapting Techniques for Individual Players

34:04
Non-Negotiables in Catching Development

38:06
Advice for Aspiring Coaches

40:09
The Importance of Influence in Coaching

In this conversation, Curtis Pelletier and Raegyn Hall, the head of goalkeeping for the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy. They discuss Raegyn's journey from player to coach, the importance of building a supportive culture among goalkeepers, and the methodologies used in training young talent. Raegyn emphasizes the significance of mental resilience, consistency, and the evolving nature of goalkeeping in modern soccer. The conversation also touches on the use of data analytics in coaching and the importance of recovery and physical management for goalkeepers.

Sound Bites

• "We want to produce first team players."
• "You need to trust the process."
• "I smash balls for a living."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Raegyn Hall and His Journey

02:49
Raegyn's Coaching Philosophy and Experience

05:24
The Whitecaps Academy Structure and Culture

08:24
Goalkeeping Culture and Support Systems

11:11
Recruitment and Development in the Academy

13:56
Pathways for Young Players and Future Opportunities

16:47
Opportunities and Pathways for Young Goalkeepers

18:54
The Importance of Consistency in Goalkeeping

23:23
Building Trust and Resilience in Young Athletes

27:03
The Role of Mental Anchors in Performance

30:46
Adapting Training for Modern Goalkeeping

38:36
Continuous Learning and Evolving Coaching Methods

43:28
The Importance of Planning and Coordination in Coaching

49:41
Quantifying Success in Goalkeeping Training

55:40
Managing Physical Load and Recovery for Goalkeepers

In this conversation, Curtis Pelletier and Chris begs, a former professional baseball player and current coach, discuss his journey from independent baseball to the SF Giants the national team and his transition into coaching. They explore the importance of mental performance, the launch of OTU and Oppotaco, a comprehensive baseball program, and the significance of grassroots development in the sport. Chris shares insights on dealing with failure, emotional management, and the role of parents and coaches in player development.

Takeaways

• Coaching is more stressful than playing.
• Enjoying the moment can alleviate pressure.
• You can only control what you can control.
• Mental performance is crucial for success.
• Grassroots development is essential for baseball growth.
• Involvement of parents can enhance player accountability.
• Quality production can elevate educational content.
• Understanding the game is vital for young players.
• Failure is a part of baseball; managing it is key.
• Open-mindedness is necessary for learning and growth.

Titles

• From Player to Coach: Chris's Baseball Journey
• The Mental Game: Insights from Chris

Sound Bites

• "I was just having fun."
• "It was a game changer for me."
• "I had nothing to lose."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Background

02:37
Journey Through Independent Baseball

05:30
Joining the National Team and Olympic Aspirations

08:13
Transitioning from Player to Coach

11:05
The Launch of Alpo Taco

13:37
Target Audience and Program Focus

16:32
Involvement of Parents and Coaches

19:08
Production Quality and Future Plans

22:23
Grassroots Development in Baseball

25:11
Mental Skills and Performance

27:58
Dealing with Failure and Emotional Management

30:39
Final Thoughts and Advice