tag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:/blogs/coach-chucks-blogCoach Chucks Blog2023-02-20T01:03:15-06:00Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musicianfalsetag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044692023-02-20T01:03:15-06:002023-12-10T10:27:49-06:00Self-Motivation: An Essential Tool for Success<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://blog.teamsnap.com/how-to/self-motivation-an-essential-tool-for-success?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=blog2016" data-imported="1"><span class="text-huge">https://blog.teamsnap.com/how-to/self-motivation-an-essential-tool-for-success</span></a></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/69799212022-05-25T19:54:40-05:002023-02-20T01:03:04-06:00Feel Good Moments<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.teamsnap.com/blog/editorials/feel-good-moments" data-link-type="url" contents="https://www.teamsnap.com/blog/editorials/feel-good-moments"><span class="text-huge">https://www.teamsnap.com/blog/editorials/feel-good-moments</span></a></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/69462882022-04-12T01:02:19-05:002023-02-20T00:57:28-06:00Yelling isn't Instruction; it's Just Yelling<p><a class="no-pjax" href="/files/1171952/yelling-isnt-instruction-its-just-yelling.pdf" data-link-type="file" data-link-label="yelling-isnt-instruction-its-just-yelling.pdf" contents="Yelling isn't Instruction; it's Just Yelling"><span class="text-huge">Yelling isn't Instruction; it's Just Yelling</span></a></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/65545432021-02-20T23:18:03-06:002023-02-20T00:57:43-06:00The Normal Mind: Path of the Competitive Athlete<p><a class="no-pjax" href="/files/1172044/the-normal-mind.pdf" data-link-type="file" data-link-label="the-normal-mind.pdf" contents="The Normal Mind: Path of the Competitive Athlete"><span class="text-huge">The Normal Mind: Path of the Competitive Athlete</span></a></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044802018-04-08T19:00:00-05:002023-02-20T00:57:59-06:00The Inner and Outer Journey of Youth Sports<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/the-inner-and-outer-journey-of-youth-sports" title="The Inner And Outer Journey of Youth Sports" data-imported="1"><span class="text-huge">https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/the-inner-and-outer-journey-of-youth-sports</span></a></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044792017-11-24T18:00:00-06:002023-02-20T00:58:20-06:00Balance: The Foundation of Success<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/balance-the-foundation-of-success?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=blog2017" title="Balance: The Foundation of Success" data-imported="1"><span class="text-huge">https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/balance-the-foundation-of-success?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=blog2017</span></a></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044782017-11-06T18:00:00-06:002023-02-20T00:58:48-06:00Replace Frustration With Knowledge<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/replace-frustration-with-knowledge" title="Replace Frustration With Knowledge" data-imported="1"><span class="text-huge">https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/replace-frustration-with-knowledge</span></a></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044772017-05-02T19:00:00-05:002023-02-20T00:59:16-06:00Managing Expectations<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/managing-expectations" data-imported="1"><span class="text-huge">https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/managing-expectations</span></a></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044762017-02-17T18:00:00-06:002023-02-20T00:59:40-06:00Making the Team: A Parent's Role<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/making-the-team-a-parents-role" title="Making the Team: A Parent's Role" data-imported="1"><span class="text-huge">https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/making-the-team-a-parents-role</span></a></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044752016-12-05T18:00:00-06:002023-12-10T10:27:30-06:00Failure: The Secret to Success<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/failure-the-secret-to-success" title="Failure: The Secret to Success" data-imported="1"><span class="text-huge">https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/failure-the-secret-to-success</span></a></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044742016-11-13T18:00:00-06:002023-02-20T01:00:54-06:00The Winning Coach<p><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.positivecoach.org/the-pca-blog/the-winning-coach/" title="The Winning Coach" data-imported="1"><span class="text-huge">http://www.positivecoach.org/the-pca-blog/the-winning-coach/</span></a></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044732016-10-06T19:00:00-05:002023-02-20T01:01:09-06:00The Power of Positivity<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/the-power-of-positivity?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=blog2016" data-imported="1"><span class="text-huge">https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/the-power-of-positivity</span></a></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044722016-07-10T19:00:00-05:002023-12-10T12:05:08-06:00Teachable Moments in Youth Sports<p><span class="text-huge">https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/teachable-moments-in-youth-sports</span></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044712016-06-12T19:00:00-05:002023-02-20T01:01:48-06:00On the Road to Success, Not Taking the Shortcut is the Shortcut<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/on-the-road-to-success-not-taking-the-shortcut-is-the-shortcut" title="On the Road to Success, Not Taking the Shortcut is the Shortcut" data-imported="1"><span class="text-huge">https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/on-the-road-to-success-not-taking-the-shortcut-is-the-shortcut</span></a></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044702016-05-08T19:00:00-05:002023-02-20T01:02:12-06:00The Purpose of Youth Sports: It's all About Perspective<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/the-purpose-of-youth-sports-its-all-about-perspective" title="The Purpose of Youth Sports: It's all about Perspective" data-imported="1"><span class="text-huge">https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/the-purpose-of-youth-sports-its-all-about-perspective</span></a></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044682016-02-16T18:00:00-06:002023-02-20T01:03:38-06:00Confidence: How to Get it and Keep it<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://blog.teamsnap.com/how-to/confidence-how-to-get-it-and-keep-it" title="Confidence: How to Get it and Keep it" data-imported="1"><span class="text-huge">https://blog.teamsnap.com/how-to/confidence-how-to-get-it-and-keep-it</span></a></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044672016-01-08T18:00:00-06:002023-02-20T01:03:57-06:00Training Young Athletes: Finding the Balance<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://blog.teamsnap.com/how-to/training-young-athletes-finding-the-balance" title="Training Young Athletes: Finding the Balance" data-imported="1"><span class="text-huge">https://blog.teamsnap.com/how-to/training-young-athletes-finding-the-balance</span></a></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044662015-08-30T19:00:00-05:002023-02-20T01:04:16-06:00Pressure in Youth Sports: Protect Kids or Teach Them to Deal With it?<p><a class="no-pjax" href="http://blog.teamsnap.com/coaching/pressure-in-youth-sports-protect-kids-or-teach-them-to-deal-with-it/" data-imported="1"><span class="text-huge">http://blog.teamsnap.com/coaching/pressure-in-youth-sports-protect-kids-or-teach-them-to-deal-with-it/</span></a></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044652015-06-25T19:00:00-05:002023-02-20T01:04:34-06:00The Neighborhood Pickup Baseball Game: Lessons From the Past - Chucks "TeamSnap" Blog<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/the-neighborhood-pick-up-baseball-game-lessons-from-the-past" data-imported="1"><span class="text-huge">https://blog.teamsnap.com/general-sports/the-neighborhood-pick-up-baseball-game-lessons-from-the-past</span></a></p><p><span style="color:#000080;"><u>In addition to my personal blog, I am posting as a guest author on the awesome website, TeamSnap. TeamSnap is a great app for sports teams of all kinds. Check out all their great features and articles by various authors.</u></span></p>Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044642014-12-30T18:00:00-06:002020-01-15T12:43:46-06:00Thinking Differently
<p align="center">Thinking Differently</p>
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<p>You can choose to think like everyone else, or you can choose to think differently. But make no mistake, it is a choice. Sometimes it pays to be like-minded, but other times it is the very obstacle that will hold you back from following your honest path.</p>
Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044632014-12-26T18:00:00-06:002022-05-31T06:12:49-05:00Self- Motivation: the key to sustaining effort
<p>You've decided to start a new exercise program to get in shape, or maybe you're finally ready to commit to the study of martial arts you've always wanted to do. Perhaps learning a musical instrument or a second language has been on your mind for the past several years. Great! You have to start with day one, so if you have, congratulations!</p>
<p>In my last post, I talked about three ingredient's to success: Effort, Time, Enthusiasm. These three things must be present or not much will be accomplished. Many people start something, but can't seem to sustain it after the initial excitement has worn off. Why is that? The answer I believe is, they haven't learned to self-motivate. </p>
<p>Self-motivation is the key to sustaining effort over a long period of time. It's a skill that must be learned; we don't seem to come by it naturally. A technique I have found very useful is to allow yourself to have the realization that you are never sorry you talked yourself into working out, practicing your instrument or language coarse or whatever it may be. You never say: What was I thinking by talking myself into this? What a waste of time! -- It's impossible to not feel good about yourself when you have motivated yourself to get the job done. Self-motivation works every time. After a workout or practice session, by reflecting on how glad you are that you motivated yourself, you come to believe it will work and it gets easier to do. You feel good about yourself and you will make it a priority to continue. Self-motivation eventually leads to self-discipline. Once you have that, the rest is easy! </p>
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Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044622014-12-14T18:00:00-06:002021-06-29T11:06:25-05:00HOW TO GET GOOD AT SOMETHING: Effort, Time, Enthusiasm
<p>Recently, in a Saturday morning karate class, I had a great discussion with my young martial artists, their ages 8, 11 and 12. Before starting our routine of punches, kicks, blocks, jumping kicks, kata's and self defense techniques which make up the physical portion of our workout, we talked about how does a person really get good at something? Is it just knowing what the techniques are, I asked?</p>
<p>By now these youngsters have figured out that just knowing is not enough; we must apply. After many months or years as the case may be, they have come to understand that in order to get really good at something one must apply a good effort over a period of time. But, there's one more thing that is absolutely necessary in order to be able to make that happen: enthusiasm!</p>
<p>I have always believed there are three essential elements that must be present in order to achieve skill; to master technique; to master ones self: effort, time, enthusiasm. If a person, especially a child, lacks enthusiasm about what they are doing, their effort will show it. It will be hard for them to continue keeping up a good effort over time if they're not enjoying the process. Learning to self-motivate is the key to staying enthused ,which I will discuss in a later blog post.</p>
Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044612014-10-30T19:00:00-05:002020-01-15T12:43:46-06:009-year-old baseball: The problematic first year of kid-pitch
<p>The need for proper instruction to develop skill couldn't be more clear than in the first year of kid pitch, nine-year-old baseball. Anyone who has experienced this transitional year for young players would probably have to agree on one thing: it's one walk after another.</p>
<p>A nine-year-old player takes the mound. He goes through his windup delivery which is based on whatever his young, untrained body just naturally does, right or wrong. Partly mimicking a favorite big-leaguer, partly influenced by his overly aggressive mind, his out of control body throws a ball that hopes to find its way somewhere near home plate. The excitement of taking the mound and fulfilling a dream of his, or maybe his dads, is all he thinks he will need. Everyone seems to think he can 'just do it" because he has shown some natural ability and interest in doing it. The young pitcher throws the first pitch. Strike one! The crowd cheers and he is feeling great. Anxious to get that second strike, he rushes his delivery, his movement looks slightly different than the first time and the result is also different. - Ball one; not close. Not being sure of what just happened, the young hurler is thinking one thing: Gotta get back on track; gotta throw a strike! - Ball two! With no experience or training to rely on, mechanics break down even further now as a new approach is employed. <em>Maybe if I switch to the stretch position he's thinking, that will help.</em> - Ball Three! With a 3-1 count, the crowd now decides to get involved to help out. Throw Strikes!, they yell. - Ball Four! Take your base, the batter is instructed by the umpire.</p>
<p>Whenever someone is placed in a position to perform with expectations placed upon them, but they have little or no training, the result is always the same: failure. For kids in youth sports, this happens a lot! In the above scenario, there probably wouldn't be one adult in the crowd that could take the mound and "throw strikes!" Yet, a kid who just turned nine is somehow expected to be able to do it with little or no training. A very familiar scenario in the first year of "kid-pitch", is one walk after another. A very boring game for everyone involved: players, parents, umpires or anyone who's watching kids struggling to meet unrealistic expectations. It's the worst for the kid on the mound: the most pressure filled position on the field.</p>
<p>The solution is quite simple and almost impossible at the same time. Simple, because all that would be required for some modest success for a nine-year-old, would be some instruction as an eight-year-old. Impossible, because that's not what happens due to a lack of understanding on the part of many adults about how skill is developed. Most of the time, instruction happens two weeks before games start; too late for any kind of muscle memory or skill to develop. Several months before the season starts, if someone with knowledge of correct pitching motion shows a kid how to do it, and the young player puts in some time on pitching mechanics training, (maybe instead of that extra half hour of video game training), some skill will develop. The main thing for a young, beginning pitcher is to master balance and body control. Knowing the correct mechanics is only part of the equation, however. Being able to execute correct mechanics in a game situation, where pressure from parents and coaches is almost guaranteed, is quite another. Many correct repetitions in practice while emphasizing balance, looseness and body control, will result in the ability to throw strikes. Adults yelling "Throw strikes!, never works. It only adds pressure. As a player grows older, and more experienced, they learn to tune-out the crowd noise and focus on the task at hand: throwing strikes.</p>
<p>The best thing about preparing in the off-season is that kids will learn this: by putting forth a good effort, preparation will allow them to have more fun. Baseball is supposed to be fun! This is a statement you hear all the time. It's a true statement. But how can it be fun if a kid is expected to take the mound with no training. Without training, there is very little chance of success and having fun will be impossible to achieve for a nine-year-old kid.</p>
<p> </p>
Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musiciantag:chuckschumacher.com,2005:Post/61044602014-07-26T19:00:00-05:002020-01-15T12:43:46-06:00MLB Pitcher handles heckler using Yin and Yang
<p>While sitting in the dugout, Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel recently dealt with an obnoxious heckler in a most excellent way. Instead of responding in anger, like so many people do when there is confrontation, Keuchel tossed the heckler a ball. On it, he had written this: "Thanks for helping pay my salary today - (heart) #60"</p>
<p>I Love it! By responding in this way, Keuchel took all power from the heckler by having the discipline to not get sucked into a negative conversation that leads nowhere except a possible negative outcome. If players would follow this example during the game (not likely in the big-leagues) when dealing with each other, they might find it easier to maintain their own focus, which is finding a way to win the game. Pitchers getting upset when a hitter admires his homerun before running the bases is one example. Yes, it's disrespectful when a hitter does this, but by confronting the hitter in anger, the pitcher is playing right into the hitters goal: getting into the pitchers head. By responding in anger, which many times starts a physical confrontation, the players remind us of two little boys, one of them saying, "You take that back or else!" - Being disrespectful by admiring his homerun instead of just lowering his head and running the bases is this hitters personal weakness; he lacks humility. The pitcher, by not responding, will leave the hitter with that weakness and it will eventually be their undoing. It is a losing way.</p>
<p>Keep your cool, and with a clear mind you will learn to respond to disrespectful people by defeating them or allowing them to defeat themselves. You may even earn their respect in the process. - A good lesson for young players. This is a winning way. ---- NINTAI (Patience, Perseverance, Endurance)</p>
Chuck Schumacher - Author, Teacher, Musician