85 - Steve Rassel: Toronto Blue Jays S&C

BMBB store - https://stores.bjscustomcreations.com/better-men_better-ballplayers/shop/home

Bio

• Toronto Blue Jays S&C Coordinator since 2019
• Webber International University Head S&C Coach 2009 - 2019 and Associate AD (2016)
  • he was working with every team
  • he has transformed the department into one of the most well-renowned programs in the country
  • over 80 coaches that have been under the tutelage
  • 2 Full time coaches, Interns, and GA
  • S&C finalist 2016 and 2018 for National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
• Daytona Cubs S&C coach 2009

 

Notes

• Helping people through training
• Train the person and we hire and fire based on culture and skill level
• Training to help the team but ultimately helping the individual
• Collaboration is key to talk to coaches on different sides (S&C and player development)
• Total collaboration to help solve problems together (mental, player development, S&C, medical, coaches)
• Balance between performance and development
• Not trying to develop them so much that we would sacrifice performance
• Continuity and being able to speak the same language to align as player move 
• Team of Teams model
  • US special forces joint command to have an effective team
  • General stanley mcCrystal
• We could not what we wanted to do, but we can do what we had resources
• You may want the whole gauntlet, but you need to settle on smaller test now
• Assessment driven process is to help understand the athlete
• Pay attention to details, learning, and compiling information 
• Identify what people need the most (pillars)
• Need more bracing forces
• All gas no brakes, so be sure you have holistic and balanced approach
• Stay open minded while you are training 
• Informed approach and learn what is impacting performance
• Its important to approach it systematically
• Reaching out to an expertise and find out what these athletes need to get better
• Minimal effective dose - don’t bite off more than you can manage. What are you comfortable doing to help them reach the next step
• holistic, movement program - push, pull, hinge, simple movement patterns
• You want ownership and asking why because that means they want it, keeps you on your toes, and speak at a high level
• You can’t start something in something, it needs to be a blend from off season to in season so they aren’t as sore
• In season should look different than off season program
• Minimal effective dose in season.
• Progressive fatigue, but not nose diving
• Have a training program that they are maintaining during the season
• Total body approaches during the season, twice a week, once a week last half of the season
• “Mirco-dose”  - two to 3 exercises in a short period of time
• Young players are resilient and may need a higher “dose” so they do not nose dive
• Gradual progression from off season to in season
• Med ball training very important for baseball players
• Young players need multi-sport approach to help athleticism
• Training needs to be in balance (strength with movement)
• Light weighted implements to train the movements and as you start to advance you add the weight
• You don’t want to push for external strength without willing to brace internally
  • Body weight plank test
  • Activate glutes
• Its not about loading weight, but also holding tension!
• Elite in stability and strength
  • Single leg RDL
  • Squat hold - two legs and single
  • Hip bridge
  • Hold loads and don’t strain externally
• Less load on shoulders in season
• Lay a foundation of volume in the off season
• Slow motion temp work
• Building that foundation on purpose
• Off season phases (typically 4 weeks), stack phases, sometimes deload depending on player
• Purpose of the phase!
• Keeping core beliefs at the front of your decisions
• Another dude trying to figure it out and pick people brain an implement
• “Adjusting spokes!”
• Relentless growth!
• steve.rassel@bluejays.com
•  

BMBB store - https://stores.bjscustomcreations.com/better-men_better-ballplayers/shop/home