The DSA Way

At Diamond Sports Academy, our training philosophy is rooted in a set of principles that guide us in nurturing athletes to reach their highest potential. As a new coach joining our team, it's essential to align with these core priorities and values:

 

1. Daily Routines and Self-Understanding:

Empower athletes to create personalized daily routines that align with their preferences and areas of improvement. Encourage them to understand their bodies and lifestyles to enhance their performance. 

 

2. Internal Motivation:

Help athletes discover their intrinsic motivations, whether driven by their inner-child, family, fame, recognition, or personal growth. We aim to foster self-motivation that stems from genuine passion. It is not our goal to choose the type of motivation for them. If the coach must motivate the player, then it will not be in an aggressive, angry, loud or fearful manner. It is easy to be motivated when you feel like something is chasing you or you feel like you are chasing something. DSA Coaches will avoid encouraging this type of mindset.

 

3. Self-Progress Focus:

Guide athletes to measure their progress against themselves, rather than comparing to others. Emphasize the importance of surpassing their own achievements from yesterday or the previous session. We will not pin athletes against each other. When a coach notices that two athletes are getting feisty with one another in competition, the coach present should stamp this out and explain why intrinsic motivation is an unlimited source and is higher level than “me vs. you” motivation. 

 

4. Collaboration and Empathy:

Cultivate an environment of camaraderie by encouraging athletes to support and elevate each other's achievements. This builds confident individuals who prioritize the success of their peers. This also goes for coaches. Even if a coach disagrees with a DSA principle or disagrees with another coach, we will always be supportive in the training room. 

 

5. Patience and Consistency:

Uphold patience in the journey of athlete development. Avoid pressuring athletes or creating undue stress. Consistent effort, motivated by the right reasons, leads to sustainable progress. It is a long journey and we do not know the timeline and  nor do the parents. Plants grow at different rates and the leading cause of death is over-watering, trying to speed up the growth. 

 

6. Holistic Skill Development:

Acknowledge the significance of building human skills that transcend sports. Instill values, discipline, and adaptability that will benefit athletes beyond their athletic careers.

 

7. Rhythm, Mindset, and Mechanics:

Prioritize rhythm and mindset before refining mechanics. Once athletes have a strong foundation in rhythm and the right mindset, we focus on perfecting their technical skills. Encourage them to think outside of the box- explain how ankle stability exercises translate to improving themself as a hitter or how gaining spine flexibility will improve their ability on the mound. It is not always work on pitching to be a better pitcher. 

 

8. Building Strong Athletes:

Develop well-rounded athletes with strength, speed, mobility, rotation, and core strength. Start with a solid foundation, as a crooked base affects the entire structure. Whether it is an actual strength class or a baseball skill class or a private lesson, there should be SOME aspect of strength building involved and the player should be made aware of this. 

 

9. Lifelong Learning and Mastery:

Promote the importance of being lifelong learners. Equip athletes with knowledge about their training processes to empower them to master their craft over time. These athletes have a much longer journey than they think. If every training session is high stress and the athlete always feels like they are running out of time, the nervous system will be worn out and the athlete will be susceptible to burnout. If they enjoy training sessions and are not afraid of them and they are explained why the physical stress is good for them, then when they turn 16 they are likely to want to spend all of their time training and developing. If they are scared of it because everything has been so difficult and they have not gained an understanding as to why these difficult tasks are good for them, then they will avoid training once freedom is given to them by society. 

 

10. Group Dynamics and Precision:

 Train athletes to follow directions seamlessly in a group setting. This skill is crucial for high performers who must execute tasks efficiently and collaboratively. We use the term “Athlete Brain” to discuss how it is not only about being fast, strong and skilled. We must have a certain computer system in our head that will benefit us as we go throughout our athletic journey. 

 

11. Body Awareness and Efficient Movement:

Enhance athletes' awareness of their bodies in space without hindering their agility. Strive for a balance between body awareness and fluid movement. Elite level athletes spend less energy to achieve the same output as average athletes. This allows them to be closer to 100% more frequently than their competition which will help them achieve better outcomes on the field and decrease their risk of injury. 

 

12. Effective Communication:

Encourage athletes to communicate relevant questions and engage in meaningful conversations with coaches to optimize their training experience. Teach them the right time to ask questions and open up conversation. Explain how conserving energy will allow them to be better when the work set begins. So, these conversations should be had at a calm tone and during extended rest periods or after class. 

 

13. Focus and Adaptability:

Teach athletes to shift gears seamlessly between focused training and relaxation. This skill promotes mental agility and discipline. It is  not okay for athletes to be running around during a scheduled rest period. It is perfectly okay for them to sit on the ground and breathe before the next task.

 

14. Self-Image:

High self-esteem is a critical piece of a healthy human existence and plays a pivotal role in helping someone perform at a high level.  If an athlete strives to play for a long time and reach the higher levels of competition, it usually requires some form of over-achievement. For most, it is a confidence struggle to see themself achieving extraordinary tasks. Coaches should consistently speak hypotheticals and put the athlete in position to imagine and see a future outcome or a future self. Constantly task them with seeing a picture in their head whether it be a big leaguers swing, a pitch, specific pitcher, field they play on, etc. Have them be specific- see if they can recall the type of glove the pitcher had or the weather on a certain day, etc. Visualization is a muscle and when left untrained, often becomes self defeating. A coach should teach someone the power of seeing a goal in your mind and working relentlessly towards it while allowing God to create the path.

 

By embracing these principles, coaches at Diamond Sports Academy contribute to the holistic development of athletes. We believe that an athlete's journey encompasses physical, mental, and emotional growth, resulting in well-rounded individuals who excel not only in sports but also in life. We build foundational skills that will apply to whatever the athlete decides to spend their time practicing. 

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Sincerely, 

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Lance Miles

Head of Athlete Development