1 00:00:03,560 --> 00:00:06,440 Speaker 1: Do you trust me with your development as a player 2 00:00:06,720 --> 00:00:09,920 Speaker 1: or your experience as a youth athlete? And then the 3 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:11,959 Speaker 1: flip side of it is, can I trust you to 4 00:00:12,039 --> 00:00:14,960 Speaker 1: come to practice and it be about getting better and 5 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:17,439 Speaker 1: being part of our team and looking for ways to 6 00:00:17,480 --> 00:00:19,920 Speaker 1: help our team win. If we can trust each other 7 00:00:19,960 --> 00:00:23,720 Speaker 1: in those two areas yours in mind, then everything else 8 00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:28,240 Speaker 1: is going to be fine. This is the Reformed Sports Project, 9 00:00:28,280 --> 00:00:31,639 Speaker 1: a podcast about restoring healthy balance and perspective in all 10 00:00:31,760 --> 00:00:35,880 Speaker 1: areas of sports through education and advocacy. Hi, this is 11 00:00:35,960 --> 00:00:38,800 Speaker 1: Nick Bonacoor from the Reformed Sports Project podcast with me 12 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:42,360 Speaker 1: today is the head baseball coach at Liberty University, Scott Jackson, 13 00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:45,919 Speaker 1: named a Son Coach of the Year. Coach Jackson has 14 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:49,479 Speaker 1: seen several school records set, mentor numerous draft picks, and 15 00:00:49,479 --> 00:00:52,839 Speaker 1: won multiple championships in his five years in Lynchburg. Scott 16 00:00:52,840 --> 00:00:55,000 Speaker 1: and I discussed why parents should stay out of practice, 17 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:58,240 Speaker 1: building trust between players and coaches, and what he looks 18 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:00,400 Speaker 1: for from those players looking to get off the bench 19 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:02,960 Speaker 1: and stay in the starting line up. Man back in 20 00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:05,959 Speaker 1: the fight. I am freaking fired up. I have another 21 00:01:06,080 --> 00:01:09,120 Speaker 1: just phenomenal guest. He's a stud head coach of one 22 00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 1: of the top programs in the country. Some will call 23 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:15,119 Speaker 1: them a major um. I don't like that term especially. 24 00:01:15,160 --> 00:01:16,800 Speaker 1: I think that we can get into this as a 25 00:01:16,840 --> 00:01:20,520 Speaker 1: whole another layer of conversation. But there are levels to 26 00:01:20,680 --> 00:01:23,880 Speaker 1: college sports, and these guys are swinging with every Power 27 00:01:23,959 --> 00:01:27,800 Speaker 1: five program in the country right now. Head coach of Liberty, 28 00:01:28,520 --> 00:01:31,600 Speaker 1: Coach Scott Jackson, Liberty Baseball, thanks so much for hopping on, coach. 29 00:01:31,600 --> 00:01:34,320 Speaker 1: Appreciate you, man, Well, thanks for having me Naked's always 30 00:01:34,319 --> 00:01:36,160 Speaker 1: good to chat with you and just love what you're doing. Man, 31 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:37,480 Speaker 1: is glad to be a part of it. Well, I 32 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:39,240 Speaker 1: appreciate you coaching you guys. I mean, what are you 33 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:41,639 Speaker 1: sitting here? Uh? You know here we are like roughly 34 00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:44,600 Speaker 1: twenty games into the season and Galie, you're in the 35 00:01:44,640 --> 00:01:46,720 Speaker 1: top fifteen in the country. Man, I know this isn't 36 00:01:46,720 --> 00:01:49,040 Speaker 1: your first time being in the national spotlight, but you 37 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:50,960 Speaker 1: know what's it like real quick? You know, being at 38 00:01:50,960 --> 00:01:53,720 Speaker 1: Liberty University and sitting there with the big dogs, I mean, 39 00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:55,440 Speaker 1: not going to the dorec and being you can For 40 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:58,360 Speaker 1: all we know, we could be in Omaha this year. Yeah, yeah, 41 00:01:58,400 --> 00:02:00,240 Speaker 1: you know, it's been great. It's been a great art 42 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:02,680 Speaker 1: of the season for for our players and for our fans. 43 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:04,600 Speaker 1: I think, you know, anytime you get a chance to 44 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:06,760 Speaker 1: get you know, some recognition earlier in the season, it 45 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:09,120 Speaker 1: really allows more people to become familiar with who you 46 00:02:09,160 --> 00:02:11,560 Speaker 1: are and when your players are most importantly. I mean, 47 00:02:11,600 --> 00:02:14,560 Speaker 1: any good program, um is all going to be about 48 00:02:14,560 --> 00:02:17,079 Speaker 1: the players. And so they've earned that opportunity. I think 49 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:19,240 Speaker 1: they've worked their tails off. It's it's great as a 50 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:21,360 Speaker 1: coach to sit there and watching work and then to 51 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:23,680 Speaker 1: be rewarded for that work. So so here we are 52 00:02:23,760 --> 00:02:26,920 Speaker 1: and enjoying you know, every day. Every day is a challenge, 53 00:02:26,919 --> 00:02:29,480 Speaker 1: whether it's practice or games, and um, you know, for us, 54 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:31,600 Speaker 1: that's that's what we're trying to stay focused on and 55 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:33,720 Speaker 1: trying to give ourselves the best chance to get better 56 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:36,000 Speaker 1: each day. Coach, I love it, and I know you know, 57 00:02:36,040 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 1: we've we've built a good relationship here over the last 58 00:02:38,080 --> 00:02:40,280 Speaker 1: couple of years. You know, we're connected through the baseball 59 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:42,400 Speaker 1: community and and I mean we spoke about a year 60 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:44,760 Speaker 1: and a half ago in detail, and uh, you know 61 00:02:44,760 --> 00:02:47,440 Speaker 1: we're talking youth sports and athletic development. And during our 62 00:02:47,520 --> 00:02:51,280 Speaker 1: last conversation you had talked specifically about practice you know 63 00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:53,560 Speaker 1: when it comes to youth ball, and you actually made 64 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:55,720 Speaker 1: a comment that that got a lot of people. You know, 65 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:58,079 Speaker 1: I want to say it brought out a lot of energy. 66 00:02:58,120 --> 00:03:00,120 Speaker 1: It brought a lot of energy because I think it's 67 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:02,200 Speaker 1: a hot button topic and and you know, I'm I 68 00:03:02,200 --> 00:03:04,040 Speaker 1: don't know the exact quote, but talking about you know, 69 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 1: what youth practice is dropping your kid off at practice 70 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:08,640 Speaker 1: and allowing them to have the experience you know, with 71 00:03:08,680 --> 00:03:10,800 Speaker 1: their coaching, their teammates, as opposed to kind of, you know, 72 00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:13,280 Speaker 1: being a parent hovering around. Can you talk a little 73 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:14,960 Speaker 1: bit about that and what you mean by you know, 74 00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:16,960 Speaker 1: why do you think it's important for parents to kind 75 00:03:16,960 --> 00:03:19,720 Speaker 1: of separate themselves from a from a youth practice and 76 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:22,639 Speaker 1: allow that experience to be the kid in the coaches time. Yeah, 77 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:25,120 Speaker 1: I just think that's exactly what it should be. It 78 00:03:25,160 --> 00:03:28,079 Speaker 1: should be you know, our time together. And I say 79 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:30,840 Speaker 1: our because I'm a coach and I've got you know, 80 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:34,120 Speaker 1: thirty five players in that locker room that every day together. 81 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:37,520 Speaker 1: We just try to to absolutely cling to um. You know, 82 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:40,640 Speaker 1: once the season ends, this whole particular group of guys, 83 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:42,640 Speaker 1: you know, they may never all be together in the 84 00:03:42,680 --> 00:03:45,200 Speaker 1: same room, let alone the same sealing again. And so 85 00:03:45,480 --> 00:03:48,760 Speaker 1: I just think that time is sacred if you will, um, 86 00:03:48,800 --> 00:03:50,720 Speaker 1: it's it's just our time to be together and to 87 00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 1: block out distractions. And I think that's how you know 88 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:57,720 Speaker 1: your your toughness, your resolve. Uh, there's there's some failure, 89 00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:01,520 Speaker 1: there's some maybe some some push from a coaching staff 90 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:04,120 Speaker 1: or a teammate, like all the experiences that you get 91 00:04:04,160 --> 00:04:07,880 Speaker 1: through sports and specifically baseball. Um, everybody wants to focus 92 00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:10,360 Speaker 1: on the games, but you're made as a man and 93 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:12,440 Speaker 1: as a player and as a teammate. I mean, those 94 00:04:12,480 --> 00:04:14,640 Speaker 1: things happen in the weight room. They have to be practice. 95 00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 1: And I just think there's a time and a place 96 00:04:16,560 --> 00:04:19,120 Speaker 1: to celebrate your son or daughter playing a sport, and 97 00:04:19,279 --> 00:04:22,400 Speaker 1: I just I'm just not really sure practice time is 98 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:24,440 Speaker 1: the time to do that. And I think if you're 99 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:27,280 Speaker 1: allowing them to build character and to be part of 100 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 1: something bigger than themselves, then practice is probably the most 101 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:33,479 Speaker 1: valuable thing. We can all celebrate game day together. But 102 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:35,680 Speaker 1: I think the toughness in the edge and and the 103 00:04:35,800 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 1: things that come with being an athlete, high caliber athlete, 104 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:42,040 Speaker 1: all those things are just built in practice. And so 105 00:04:42,120 --> 00:04:44,800 Speaker 1: let's just make that their time with their teammates and coaches, 106 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:47,320 Speaker 1: because that's exactly what it needs to be. As you 107 00:04:47,360 --> 00:04:49,840 Speaker 1: were talking, I started getting a visualization because I mean, 108 00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:52,360 Speaker 1: I coach my kids youth teams, and of course it's 109 00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:54,440 Speaker 1: wreck ball. But you know one thing I noticed is 110 00:04:54,480 --> 00:04:57,120 Speaker 1: that and you mentioned the failure piece or or you know, 111 00:04:57,279 --> 00:05:00,720 Speaker 1: a correction, right a coach kind of you know, correcting circumstance. 112 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:02,520 Speaker 1: You know, maybe a kid's not doing something the way 113 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:05,080 Speaker 1: he or she knows how to, or you're just teaching them, 114 00:05:05,160 --> 00:05:08,440 Speaker 1: or they're confused. Oftentimes you'll see a kid and my 115 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:11,000 Speaker 1: kids are I want to say guilty of this. That's 116 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:12,760 Speaker 1: probably not the right word, but I think at young 117 00:05:12,800 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 1: ages in particular, the kids look to their parents, you know, 118 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:18,400 Speaker 1: they look over for almost that validation and almost having 119 00:05:18,640 --> 00:05:22,000 Speaker 1: the parent maybe not in the limelight, right, not hanging 120 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:24,360 Speaker 1: there at the backstop. Maybe then the kid will all 121 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:27,080 Speaker 1: of a sudden, when he has a question or is confused, 122 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:29,240 Speaker 1: instead of turning to the parent for that validation, will 123 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:31,080 Speaker 1: learn to turn to the coach, you know, to see 124 00:05:31,080 --> 00:05:32,800 Speaker 1: if they're doing things right. Which I think if I'm 125 00:05:32,839 --> 00:05:35,760 Speaker 1: describing this, Riley, or listening to what you're saying, properly. 126 00:05:35,839 --> 00:05:38,359 Speaker 1: It's almost forming that bond and that trust factor with 127 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:41,039 Speaker 1: that coach. No, you nailed it, And that's the exact 128 00:05:41,120 --> 00:05:43,039 Speaker 1: word I was just about to say, you took it 129 00:05:43,120 --> 00:05:45,120 Speaker 1: right out of my mouse. It's like that. That's the 130 00:05:45,240 --> 00:05:48,280 Speaker 1: one thing that I think between coaches and players that 131 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:51,840 Speaker 1: is paramount through all of this is do you trust 132 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:55,520 Speaker 1: me with your development as a player or your experience 133 00:05:55,600 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 1: as a youth athlete? And then the flip side of 134 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:00,560 Speaker 1: it is, can I trust you can trust you to 135 00:06:00,640 --> 00:06:03,600 Speaker 1: come to practice and it be about getting better and 136 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:06,200 Speaker 1: being part of our team and looking for ways to 137 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:08,640 Speaker 1: help our team win. If we can trust each other 138 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:12,400 Speaker 1: in those two areas yours in mind, then everything else 139 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:14,960 Speaker 1: is going to be fine. Everything We we can go 140 00:06:15,120 --> 00:06:18,960 Speaker 1: through all kinds of ups and downs together and experience 141 00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:21,520 Speaker 1: things that are fun and that are frustrating as we 142 00:06:21,560 --> 00:06:23,400 Speaker 1: trust each other. And you know, I think that the 143 00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:26,359 Speaker 1: other thing with parents being at practices, you know, I 144 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:29,000 Speaker 1: think there's just a comparison thing that goes into this. 145 00:06:29,120 --> 00:06:31,320 Speaker 1: Like most parents are going to try to compare their 146 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:34,080 Speaker 1: son to other players, you know, at that age, and 147 00:06:34,160 --> 00:06:36,560 Speaker 1: I mean we've all heard that quote. Comparison is the 148 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:39,159 Speaker 1: thief of joy, and I really think that that's true. 149 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:40,880 Speaker 1: I think that, you know, if you're looking at it 150 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 1: through the right lens, you're not comparing yourself to other people. 151 00:06:43,920 --> 00:06:45,760 Speaker 1: In fact, you're just you're looking at it in a 152 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:47,559 Speaker 1: way like, how can I be part of this team, 153 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:49,520 Speaker 1: how can I make an impact, whatever role that is. 154 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:51,600 Speaker 1: I trust my coach to put me in a situation 155 00:06:51,640 --> 00:06:53,880 Speaker 1: to be better in practice, and I also trust that 156 00:06:53,960 --> 00:06:55,800 Speaker 1: he's doing the things that I need to become a 157 00:06:55,839 --> 00:06:58,359 Speaker 1: better person first and then a better player second. This 158 00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:00,240 Speaker 1: kind of brings up I did a tweet the other 159 00:07:00,360 --> 00:07:02,320 Speaker 1: day and it was based off of some conversations I 160 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:04,760 Speaker 1: had recently, and the tweet was, and I believe this, uh, 161 00:07:04,839 --> 00:07:06,560 Speaker 1: you know, because I've heard people say, and this is 162 00:07:06,760 --> 00:07:09,960 Speaker 1: geared towards mostly high school and college age kids. A 163 00:07:09,960 --> 00:07:13,400 Speaker 1: lot of times I've heard kids or situations where I'll 164 00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:14,920 Speaker 1: hear a parent or a kids kind of saying, well, 165 00:07:14,920 --> 00:07:16,960 Speaker 1: the coach isn't given my kid his shot, you know, 166 00:07:17,080 --> 00:07:18,840 Speaker 1: during the game, he's not giving him a shot, his 167 00:07:18,880 --> 00:07:21,600 Speaker 1: opportunity to play. And in my tweet, I said, nine 168 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 1: percent of the time when a kid says, quote unquote 169 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:25,840 Speaker 1: the coach isn't giving him a chance. He's full of crap. 170 00:07:26,040 --> 00:07:27,960 Speaker 1: And the reason I believe that is because I think 171 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:30,840 Speaker 1: you get a chance every time you're at a practice, 172 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:33,840 Speaker 1: every time you're in a weight room, every engagement, whether 173 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:37,040 Speaker 1: you're in the classroom, off the field, stuff so much 174 00:07:37,080 --> 00:07:39,440 Speaker 1: more go. And this is from my own experience playing, 175 00:07:39,520 --> 00:07:41,720 Speaker 1: you know, for Mike Fox and Charlie Long and Scott 176 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 1: Forbes and Jerry Edwards and and my coaches at North 177 00:07:44,520 --> 00:07:46,760 Speaker 1: Carolina Wesley, and like, if I was you know, having 178 00:07:46,760 --> 00:07:49,720 Speaker 1: a great inner squad or or you know, working harder practice, 179 00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:51,480 Speaker 1: but I wasn't being a very good teammate, or if 180 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:53,560 Speaker 1: I wasn't doing what I need to do off the 181 00:07:53,560 --> 00:07:55,760 Speaker 1: field during the classroom, I might not get my chance 182 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:57,760 Speaker 1: in the game, and and vice versa. Like if I 183 00:07:57,800 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 1: was only doing the things you know well off the field, 184 00:07:59,880 --> 00:08:02,280 Speaker 1: but wasn't producing when given the opportunity, then I still 185 00:08:02,360 --> 00:08:04,720 Speaker 1: might be limited. So I mean, it's the full Monty, right, 186 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:06,880 Speaker 1: we're talking about the full package. Isn't there so much 187 00:08:06,880 --> 00:08:09,800 Speaker 1: more to just production on the field? And what is 188 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:11,400 Speaker 1: what do you look for to be able to let's say, 189 00:08:11,440 --> 00:08:13,920 Speaker 1: let's say kids a fringe player, Right, He can crack 190 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 1: the potentially starting lineup. What are the things that you're 191 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:18,400 Speaker 1: looking for to maybe to give that kid the opportunity 192 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:20,960 Speaker 1: to maybe earnest keep or getting the game. Well, I think, 193 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:22,520 Speaker 1: I mean, I mean, I think you knowed it. We 194 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:25,600 Speaker 1: all get opportunities every day. You get an opportunity number one, 195 00:08:25,640 --> 00:08:27,480 Speaker 1: to show up and be on time, and you get 196 00:08:27,640 --> 00:08:29,760 Speaker 1: you get an opportunity to show up and be engaged. 197 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:31,840 Speaker 1: You get an opportunity to show up and and look 198 00:08:31,880 --> 00:08:34,160 Speaker 1: around you and care about your teammates. I mean, it 199 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:37,160 Speaker 1: all starts there. For me and for anybody who you know. 200 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:39,680 Speaker 1: It has been part of our program. That's been something 201 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:42,280 Speaker 1: that we've we've really tried to embrace and talk about. 202 00:08:42,320 --> 00:08:44,680 Speaker 1: We have three pillars in our program to serve, to grow, 203 00:08:44,720 --> 00:08:46,800 Speaker 1: and then to compete. And so if the first two 204 00:08:46,840 --> 00:08:49,160 Speaker 1: are there to compete one it's last for a reason 205 00:08:49,240 --> 00:08:52,520 Speaker 1: because you're probably not going to get that opportunity to 206 00:08:52,800 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 1: compete when it matters if the servant mindset and the 207 00:08:56,440 --> 00:08:59,679 Speaker 1: growth mindset aren't there. And so those are all opportunities. 208 00:08:59,720 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 1: It's hard, it's it's hard to look at it sometimes 209 00:09:02,640 --> 00:09:05,480 Speaker 1: from a coach's perspective, it's hard sometimes to look at 210 00:09:05,520 --> 00:09:08,560 Speaker 1: it um without the parent goggles on, and and hey, 211 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:11,320 Speaker 1: my son deserves that. He's worked just as hard. He's 212 00:09:11,360 --> 00:09:14,040 Speaker 1: not getting an opportunity all the things that you just said. 213 00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:16,720 Speaker 1: But you know, the the opportunities are certainly there for 214 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:19,520 Speaker 1: for all of us, and whether that's in life as 215 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:23,040 Speaker 1: a as an employee or an athlete, you get opportunities 216 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:24,680 Speaker 1: to make a difference every day and to do the 217 00:09:24,760 --> 00:09:27,200 Speaker 1: right thing and to make the right decisions. And I 218 00:09:27,240 --> 00:09:30,000 Speaker 1: think that's, you know, exactly what we're trying to teach 219 00:09:30,080 --> 00:09:32,680 Speaker 1: as we go through our process here of being an 220 00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 1: athlete at Liberty and going through that experience, the things 221 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:37,520 Speaker 1: that truly matter that are going to end up, you know, 222 00:09:37,640 --> 00:09:40,320 Speaker 1: going with you when you leave here are some simple 223 00:09:40,400 --> 00:09:43,440 Speaker 1: things that sometimes we have a knack to overlook and 224 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:47,120 Speaker 1: and to really maybe miss some of those great opportunities 225 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 1: that are there that have nothing to do with playing time. 226 00:09:49,280 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 1: And so for me, that's where it starts. The players 227 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:53,240 Speaker 1: decide and plays. I mean, it's always been that way, 228 00:09:53,280 --> 00:09:55,360 Speaker 1: and you know it always will continue to be that way. 229 00:09:55,400 --> 00:09:57,160 Speaker 1: And if you get the details right, do all those 230 00:09:57,200 --> 00:09:59,320 Speaker 1: little things, you look up and find yourself in a 231 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:02,200 Speaker 1: pretty good spot. At least that's been my experience. You know, 232 00:10:02,400 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 1: you hear the sayings and such. You know, you talk 233 00:10:04,840 --> 00:10:07,920 Speaker 1: about competing and the opportunity to compete, you know, when 234 00:10:07,920 --> 00:10:09,959 Speaker 1: it comes down to you know, you mentioned playing time, 235 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:12,280 Speaker 1: because that's, let's face it, that's that's what everyone you 236 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:14,439 Speaker 1: know seems to want. What does it take from an 237 00:10:14,440 --> 00:10:16,800 Speaker 1: off the field standpoint, like what might stand out to 238 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:18,280 Speaker 1: you and say, man, I really need to give this 239 00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:20,120 Speaker 1: kid this shot, you know, I mean like he's earned 240 00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:22,000 Speaker 1: his Can you get into details about what they can 241 00:10:22,040 --> 00:10:25,319 Speaker 1: be doing in particular to get themselves on the field. Yeah, 242 00:10:25,120 --> 00:10:28,480 Speaker 1: I just I just think it's there's just not a coins. 243 00:10:28,559 --> 00:10:30,640 Speaker 1: We call it keeping your house in order. And so 244 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:33,240 Speaker 1: when you keep your house in order, that includes your academics, 245 00:10:33,280 --> 00:10:35,520 Speaker 1: that includes you know, taking care of your body, that 246 00:10:35,559 --> 00:10:38,160 Speaker 1: includes getting up and eating breakfast, that includes just all 247 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:40,520 Speaker 1: the things that go with trying to play this game 248 00:10:40,559 --> 00:10:42,120 Speaker 1: at a high level and being able to do it 249 00:10:42,160 --> 00:10:44,319 Speaker 1: over the course of sixty or seventy games. And so 250 00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:46,920 Speaker 1: you know those are the habits. Um. You know, habits 251 00:10:46,960 --> 00:10:50,160 Speaker 1: turn into routines um, and routines give you a chance, 252 00:10:50,240 --> 00:10:52,280 Speaker 1: I think, to be at your best. And so what 253 00:10:52,440 --> 00:10:55,560 Speaker 1: your habits are like, really, I think speak volumes to 254 00:10:56,120 --> 00:10:58,640 Speaker 1: what kind of consistency you're gonna have on the field. 255 00:10:58,679 --> 00:11:00,760 Speaker 1: So at the end of the day, I'm putting somebody 256 00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:03,160 Speaker 1: in the lineup or using them in a certain role 257 00:11:03,160 --> 00:11:05,840 Speaker 1: on the mount I'm putting them in there because I 258 00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:08,840 Speaker 1: have a pretty good idea of what to expect when 259 00:11:08,840 --> 00:11:10,920 Speaker 1: I put them in the lineup. And so in order 260 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:12,760 Speaker 1: to be able to know what to expect, you have 261 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:15,400 Speaker 1: to have consistency. In order to have consistency, you have 262 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:17,679 Speaker 1: to have good habits. In order to have uh, you know, 263 00:11:17,920 --> 00:11:20,600 Speaker 1: even more consistency, your routine has to get better and 264 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:22,000 Speaker 1: it has to be part of who you are and 265 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:23,800 Speaker 1: how do you show up every day. And if it's 266 00:11:23,840 --> 00:11:27,040 Speaker 1: not about that process of the every day um habits 267 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:30,000 Speaker 1: that you have, then it's all about outcomes. Then it's 268 00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:32,000 Speaker 1: just gonna be a cruel game. It's gonna bring you 269 00:11:32,040 --> 00:11:33,720 Speaker 1: to your knees. It's gonna be an up and down 270 00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:36,240 Speaker 1: roller coaster ride that you know, I've seen guys go 271 00:11:36,280 --> 00:11:38,720 Speaker 1: on and it's a frustrating deal for them because they're 272 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:42,000 Speaker 1: they're narrow minded, and they have outcome and results at 273 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:44,559 Speaker 1: the end of and it's attached to everything that they do, 274 00:11:44,679 --> 00:11:46,280 Speaker 1: and you know, we we just we try to get 275 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:47,920 Speaker 1: away from that as much as we can and just 276 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:50,319 Speaker 1: make it about what we do every single day. How 277 00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:52,520 Speaker 1: you do anything is how you do everything, and that's 278 00:11:52,559 --> 00:11:55,040 Speaker 1: kind of how we've operated here and we've been fortunate 279 00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:57,079 Speaker 1: to have a lot of kids that understand that. After 280 00:11:57,120 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 1: the break, Scott and I I've into recruiting to transfer 281 00:12:00,040 --> 00:12:11,080 Speaker 1: portal and keeping youth players engaged. Welcome back to the 282 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:14,520 Speaker 1: Reformed Sports Project podcast will be left off. Coach Jackson 283 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:16,280 Speaker 1: and I were about to discuss a bit more about 284 00:12:16,280 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 1: parental involvement before moving on to recruiting and keeping kids 285 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:23,600 Speaker 1: on the field. So I know it's a little bit 286 00:12:23,600 --> 00:12:25,520 Speaker 1: different at the college level, and you'll, you know, you'll 287 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:27,480 Speaker 1: have a lot of high school and youth parents that 288 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:29,599 Speaker 1: will listen to this, and you know, dealing with a 289 00:12:29,679 --> 00:12:31,880 Speaker 1: parent I would imagine at the collegiate levels a little 290 00:12:31,880 --> 00:12:34,200 Speaker 1: bit different, Um, I would imagine than it is. You know, 291 00:12:34,360 --> 00:12:36,120 Speaker 1: as far as dealing with let's say a high school, 292 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:38,440 Speaker 1: how should parents kind of view like what's the tug 293 00:12:38,440 --> 00:12:41,040 Speaker 1: of war? Um? Piece of it? Right? Because I think 294 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:43,040 Speaker 1: it's important for parents to have to to show that 295 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 1: they're interested. But where's the line that's kind of draw 296 00:12:45,280 --> 00:12:46,920 Speaker 1: on the sand as far as when I might be 297 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:49,920 Speaker 1: overstepping my boundaries versus when I'm trying to build good rapport, 298 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:52,040 Speaker 1: you know, with a high school or youth or even 299 00:12:52,040 --> 00:12:55,000 Speaker 1: collegiate coach. Yeah, I mean, I mean, and this is 300 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:57,800 Speaker 1: gonna sound repetitive, but to me, it goes back to 301 00:12:57,880 --> 00:13:01,079 Speaker 1: those moments that you have a chance as a parent 302 00:13:01,160 --> 00:13:04,640 Speaker 1: to prepare your son for being able to interact with 303 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:08,080 Speaker 1: his coach and and not even have to even think 304 00:13:08,120 --> 00:13:11,439 Speaker 1: about getting involved, especially from a plain time standpoint. I mean, 305 00:13:11,559 --> 00:13:13,280 Speaker 1: if you're doing the right thing and okay, so to 306 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:15,280 Speaker 1: practice things one of them. If you've let your kid 307 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:17,920 Speaker 1: go to practice and taught his coach and communicate with him, 308 00:13:17,920 --> 00:13:20,480 Speaker 1: to build a relationship with him, and that's habitual for 309 00:13:20,600 --> 00:13:23,240 Speaker 1: him with every team that he plays on, well, then 310 00:13:23,280 --> 00:13:25,680 Speaker 1: it shouldn't change when he gets to college. Right. Hey, 311 00:13:25,720 --> 00:13:27,880 Speaker 1: I've got a great relationship with my coach because I 312 00:13:27,880 --> 00:13:30,200 Speaker 1: communicate with him, I listened to him, and I trust him. 313 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:32,400 Speaker 1: So if I can do those things, why can't I 314 00:13:32,480 --> 00:13:34,160 Speaker 1: go walk up in his office and sit down and 315 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:35,520 Speaker 1: talk to him and look him in the eye. And 316 00:13:35,640 --> 00:13:38,439 Speaker 1: have have that conversation. I leave my office door open 317 00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:41,040 Speaker 1: every single moment for a reason because I want guys 318 00:13:41,040 --> 00:13:42,600 Speaker 1: to feel like they can come in here, if we 319 00:13:42,640 --> 00:13:44,440 Speaker 1: can sit down, and it might be about life, it 320 00:13:44,520 --> 00:13:47,080 Speaker 1: might be about baseball. But if we have that open 321 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:50,400 Speaker 1: door relationship, sometimes they might not like what I have 322 00:13:50,520 --> 00:13:52,640 Speaker 1: to say, but if I'm gonna be honest with him 323 00:13:52,679 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 1: and we have a good relationship, then they'll walk out 324 00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:57,079 Speaker 1: of there and feel like, Hey, I'm respected because he's 325 00:13:57,080 --> 00:13:59,440 Speaker 1: gonna tell me the truth, and I'm respected because it 326 00:13:59,480 --> 00:14:01,080 Speaker 1: matters to him to be able to make tom to 327 00:14:01,120 --> 00:14:03,680 Speaker 1: spend with me in his office and talk about whatever 328 00:14:03,720 --> 00:14:06,160 Speaker 1: it might be on their minds. So I think all 329 00:14:06,160 --> 00:14:08,520 Speaker 1: those habits are created, and it goes back to being, 330 00:14:08,640 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 1: you know, a young athlete and how much your parents 331 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:13,319 Speaker 1: want to focus on the things that matter and that 332 00:14:13,440 --> 00:14:15,800 Speaker 1: to me really matters. Drop them off at practice, allow 333 00:14:15,840 --> 00:14:19,000 Speaker 1: them to embrace relationships and trust with teammates and coaches, 334 00:14:19,080 --> 00:14:21,120 Speaker 1: and that's gonna be something that they carry with them 335 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:23,320 Speaker 1: when they go on to college. You know, you're at 336 00:14:23,360 --> 00:14:26,160 Speaker 1: Liberty right now. You play ball at Campbell right So 337 00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:29,080 Speaker 1: between Campbell now and obviously Liberty, you know, you guys 338 00:14:29,120 --> 00:14:31,280 Speaker 1: be in the top twenty five. I mean your high 339 00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:34,640 Speaker 1: level quote unquote mid major division one. Well you actually 340 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:36,840 Speaker 1: you also coached at a power of five, right, you 341 00:14:36,880 --> 00:14:38,800 Speaker 1: coach at the University of North Carolina. I believe you 342 00:14:38,800 --> 00:14:41,360 Speaker 1: went to Omaha a couple of times. What's the difference, 343 00:14:41,560 --> 00:14:43,760 Speaker 1: you know, like you're playing wake Forest you said tonight, 344 00:14:43,920 --> 00:14:45,840 Speaker 1: you know which is you know, wake Forest is wake 345 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:48,520 Speaker 1: Forest in the a sec. What's the difference from a 346 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:51,880 Speaker 1: recruiting standpoint per se when you're trying to get kids 347 00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:53,800 Speaker 1: to come to Liberty versus because I know, you know 348 00:14:53,880 --> 00:14:55,920 Speaker 1: pair everyone wants to go D one right, and this 349 00:14:56,000 --> 00:14:58,280 Speaker 1: is a topic I love to talk about. Um, you know, 350 00:14:58,320 --> 00:15:00,360 Speaker 1: but juco is a great route D two D through 351 00:15:00,480 --> 00:15:02,480 Speaker 1: you know the right fit? How do kids know and 352 00:15:02,600 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 1: parents know where their kids could stack up? And what 353 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:07,280 Speaker 1: do you look for? And let's say when you because 354 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:10,040 Speaker 1: you recruited at Carolina, what are the differences between recruiting 355 00:15:10,040 --> 00:15:12,960 Speaker 1: at Carolina and recruiting at Liberty? Well, I mean I 356 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:15,120 Speaker 1: think for me, you know, you look at we all 357 00:15:15,120 --> 00:15:17,360 Speaker 1: want to coach good kids that come from good families 358 00:15:17,400 --> 00:15:20,400 Speaker 1: and they have you know, the right reasons in making 359 00:15:20,480 --> 00:15:23,520 Speaker 1: decisions whether it's you know what, what I'm gonna do today, 360 00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:25,400 Speaker 1: where I'm going to go to school. Um. You know, 361 00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:28,760 Speaker 1: I think the perspective of what's important to me and 362 00:15:28,800 --> 00:15:31,320 Speaker 1: what matters to me in the process is really to 363 00:15:31,440 --> 00:15:35,120 Speaker 1: me paramount with any type of recruiting decisions. So the 364 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:37,160 Speaker 1: same thing goes for us, right. I mean, we're not 365 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:40,280 Speaker 1: recruiting any differently here at Liberty than we did um 366 00:15:40,520 --> 00:15:42,160 Speaker 1: at any school that I was at, whether it was 367 00:15:42,240 --> 00:15:45,880 Speaker 1: UNC Wilmington, Campbell, North Carolina, even Barton College. I mean, 368 00:15:45,920 --> 00:15:48,560 Speaker 1: we're all recruiting high caliber players. I think the game 369 00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:52,480 Speaker 1: and and the coaches and evaluators that they'll let you 370 00:15:52,520 --> 00:15:55,240 Speaker 1: know where you fit. And I think if you've got 371 00:15:55,240 --> 00:15:58,000 Speaker 1: people around you, that they're going to tell you the truth. UM. 372 00:15:58,200 --> 00:16:00,280 Speaker 1: I think that's one thing that bothers me a little 373 00:16:00,280 --> 00:16:03,400 Speaker 1: bit in this process is how many people along the 374 00:16:03,440 --> 00:16:06,640 Speaker 1: way in your recruiting process are gonna sit you down 375 00:16:06,760 --> 00:16:09,200 Speaker 1: and look you in the eye and tell you the truth. Um. 376 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:11,160 Speaker 1: And and if you have some of those people in 377 00:16:11,240 --> 00:16:13,200 Speaker 1: your corner and some people you feel I can do 378 00:16:13,240 --> 00:16:16,240 Speaker 1: that for you. UM. And it's not biased. Probably the 379 00:16:16,280 --> 00:16:18,520 Speaker 1: high school coach is probably a great place to start 380 00:16:18,600 --> 00:16:20,960 Speaker 1: because he's not a travel ball coach and he doesn't 381 00:16:20,960 --> 00:16:24,360 Speaker 1: have any other attachment other than hey, I've been around you, UM. 382 00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 1: I know who you are as a person. I know 383 00:16:26,320 --> 00:16:28,880 Speaker 1: what you can do and you can't do. I know 384 00:16:28,920 --> 00:16:31,680 Speaker 1: where you are from a maturity level, um, And you 385 00:16:31,680 --> 00:16:33,400 Speaker 1: know those are the things that I think if you 386 00:16:33,400 --> 00:16:36,080 Speaker 1: can have somebody that's honest with you through the process 387 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:39,360 Speaker 1: and tell you exactly where they see you, um, then 388 00:16:39,520 --> 00:16:41,720 Speaker 1: that's a great place to start. And I don't see 389 00:16:41,760 --> 00:16:44,360 Speaker 1: that enough um right now with what what we go 390 00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:47,160 Speaker 1: through in the recruiting process. I think maybe sometimes that's 391 00:16:47,160 --> 00:16:50,440 Speaker 1: a difficult conversation to have as a coach or as 392 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:52,360 Speaker 1: a mentor to a young man and his family. But 393 00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:54,640 Speaker 1: they're just paramount. Their paramount in the process is to 394 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:56,360 Speaker 1: have somebody that's honest with you. You can tell you 395 00:16:56,400 --> 00:16:58,600 Speaker 1: exactly where they see you. Do you think it's like 396 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:01,720 Speaker 1: a situation because the transfer portals a dynamic that wasn't 397 00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:03,520 Speaker 1: around when I was playing, And do you think that 398 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:05,600 Speaker 1: that now it's turned into a situation where it's like, 399 00:17:05,640 --> 00:17:07,159 Speaker 1: all right, let me try to go to X y 400 00:17:07,240 --> 00:17:09,080 Speaker 1: Z school and if it doesn't work out, I'll just 401 00:17:09,080 --> 00:17:11,040 Speaker 1: go back in the transfer portal, Is that just like 402 00:17:11,080 --> 00:17:13,920 Speaker 1: an easy you know, uh out per se like it 403 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:17,120 Speaker 1: detaches that long term perspective like, Hey, I really want 404 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:19,160 Speaker 1: to play at such and such school, but I might 405 00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:21,359 Speaker 1: have to wait my time, uh you know, and and 406 00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:25,920 Speaker 1: that almost seems unacceptable now, um, which it's just the culture, 407 00:17:26,040 --> 00:17:28,080 Speaker 1: is it right wrong? I don't know, but it seems 408 00:17:28,119 --> 00:17:30,480 Speaker 1: to me, especially when you look at like college basketball 409 00:17:30,560 --> 00:17:32,520 Speaker 1: right now or even college baseball. And I know, I 410 00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:35,399 Speaker 1: just watched the college wrestling national tournament. I mean the 411 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:37,560 Speaker 1: guy there were guys in their mid twenties. Obviously, kids 412 00:17:37,640 --> 00:17:40,439 Speaker 1: got COVID years quote unquote super seniors. It seems like 413 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:44,520 Speaker 1: teams with more upper classmen at times seem to have 414 00:17:44,560 --> 00:17:47,240 Speaker 1: an advantage. But it seems harder and harder to get 415 00:17:47,320 --> 00:17:50,359 Speaker 1: upper classmen built teams. And is that a direct result 416 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:52,080 Speaker 1: of the transfer portal? And can you just just kind 417 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:54,200 Speaker 1: of dig into the pros and cons of the trans 418 00:17:54,280 --> 00:17:57,280 Speaker 1: report or how it's impacting sports today? Yeah, well, I 419 00:17:57,320 --> 00:18:00,280 Speaker 1: think the transfer portal is I mean, it's it's it 420 00:18:00,440 --> 00:18:04,560 Speaker 1: used to be this way, right, I mean before and 421 00:18:04,560 --> 00:18:06,760 Speaker 1: the roster limits and you know you had to sit 422 00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:08,480 Speaker 1: out of here when you transferred. I mean when I 423 00:18:08,680 --> 00:18:11,720 Speaker 1: when I first started coaching, this was always in play. 424 00:18:11,960 --> 00:18:15,600 Speaker 1: Um kids were free to transfer one time without penalty, 425 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:19,000 Speaker 1: and it was something that was part of the process 426 00:18:19,119 --> 00:18:22,000 Speaker 1: as far as recruiting goes. There was always possibly a 427 00:18:22,040 --> 00:18:24,600 Speaker 1: transfer out there that could that could help your program. 428 00:18:24,720 --> 00:18:27,280 Speaker 1: So I just think, look, this, this just goes back 429 00:18:27,359 --> 00:18:30,960 Speaker 1: to to the process we just talked about. Are you 430 00:18:31,080 --> 00:18:34,480 Speaker 1: choosing a school for the right reasons? Are you choosing 431 00:18:34,520 --> 00:18:37,000 Speaker 1: it because of the people that you're gonna be around, 432 00:18:37,119 --> 00:18:39,720 Speaker 1: because of the experience that you get to have when 433 00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:42,400 Speaker 1: you go to that program. Are you choosing it because 434 00:18:42,560 --> 00:18:45,159 Speaker 1: the culture makes me feel like, man, I want to 435 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:47,040 Speaker 1: be part of this. I want to be part of 436 00:18:47,119 --> 00:18:49,320 Speaker 1: something that's a winner. I want to be part of 437 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 1: something that has good players and good coaches, and it's 438 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:55,240 Speaker 1: it's about more than winning and losing. If it's if 439 00:18:55,240 --> 00:18:57,760 Speaker 1: you go through the process and it's about the gear, 440 00:18:57,960 --> 00:19:00,919 Speaker 1: if it's about the scholarship, if it's about hey, my 441 00:19:01,119 --> 00:19:04,520 Speaker 1: playing time, how many people are on your roster. I 442 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:07,479 Speaker 1: just think I just think you're looking at it and 443 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:11,200 Speaker 1: those maybe some pieces that are aren't there a little bit, 444 00:19:11,240 --> 00:19:13,040 Speaker 1: but they can't be at the core of why you 445 00:19:13,080 --> 00:19:16,440 Speaker 1: make your decision. And maybe that's why some kids, um 446 00:19:16,520 --> 00:19:19,760 Speaker 1: they missed on that first recruiting process out of high school. 447 00:19:19,800 --> 00:19:22,399 Speaker 1: Is is they maybe they don't make the decision based 448 00:19:22,440 --> 00:19:24,960 Speaker 1: on the right reasons. And for me, you know that 449 00:19:25,240 --> 00:19:27,800 Speaker 1: the transfer portal for us is is we've we've been 450 00:19:27,840 --> 00:19:30,280 Speaker 1: fortunate to get some kids out of the transfer portal 451 00:19:30,359 --> 00:19:32,720 Speaker 1: that that have one or two years left. But you know, 452 00:19:32,800 --> 00:19:35,040 Speaker 1: some of those kids were decisioned two players that went 453 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:37,360 Speaker 1: to a school that didn't have graduate school and so 454 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:40,000 Speaker 1: they wanted to go somewhere for one more year and 455 00:19:40,080 --> 00:19:43,000 Speaker 1: start on their masters because they had another year of eligibility. Uh, 456 00:19:43,080 --> 00:19:45,120 Speaker 1: some of the kids that we've had have have come 457 00:19:45,160 --> 00:19:47,560 Speaker 1: down here for warmer weather. Um. You know. So there's 458 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:50,320 Speaker 1: a variety of factors. But the one thing that I've 459 00:19:50,359 --> 00:19:52,800 Speaker 1: really been proud of is is that the kids that 460 00:19:52,840 --> 00:19:55,440 Speaker 1: we've gotten from the transfer portal, their character and the 461 00:19:55,480 --> 00:19:58,600 Speaker 1: type of teammates they are, it's incredible. Yet it helps 462 00:19:58,640 --> 00:20:00,919 Speaker 1: that they're they're older players, is that are stronger and 463 00:20:00,960 --> 00:20:03,080 Speaker 1: have some experience. But the thing that I'm most proud 464 00:20:03,080 --> 00:20:05,240 Speaker 1: of is is what they've done to enhance our locker 465 00:20:05,320 --> 00:20:07,399 Speaker 1: room and enhance our clubhouse and to be able to 466 00:20:07,680 --> 00:20:09,920 Speaker 1: look at their teammates, and their teammates look at them 467 00:20:09,960 --> 00:20:11,840 Speaker 1: and say, hey, is this new guy and this new 468 00:20:11,840 --> 00:20:14,439 Speaker 1: guy have all the right reasons for being here and 469 00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:16,679 Speaker 1: they sit into that clubhouse and make it better right 470 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:18,479 Speaker 1: out of the gate. That that's been huge for us. 471 00:20:18,920 --> 00:20:21,119 Speaker 1: So if we if we circle back and kind of 472 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:24,040 Speaker 1: and kind of dig real quick back into the youth element. 473 00:20:24,200 --> 00:20:25,840 Speaker 1: If I'm a youth coach, and which I am, and 474 00:20:25,840 --> 00:20:27,199 Speaker 1: I'm listening to you know, I'm going, how do I 475 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:30,040 Speaker 1: take this information that coach Jackson saying and apply to 476 00:20:30,160 --> 00:20:32,840 Speaker 1: my nine you you know wreck baseball team where these 477 00:20:32,880 --> 00:20:36,000 Speaker 1: kids are literally I mean the kids, like coach are 478 00:20:36,080 --> 00:20:38,480 Speaker 1: literally trying to figure out how to properly throw and catch, 479 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:41,320 Speaker 1: you know, like you know, they're really learning the basic fundamentals. 480 00:20:41,359 --> 00:20:43,280 Speaker 1: And you know, as a season goes on, you know, 481 00:20:43,320 --> 00:20:45,480 Speaker 1: they get better. They get better by being out there. 482 00:20:45,560 --> 00:20:48,000 Speaker 1: But I think one of the things that is so paramount. 483 00:20:48,160 --> 00:20:50,919 Speaker 1: I love that word you use is retention. And I 484 00:20:50,960 --> 00:20:53,960 Speaker 1: think we're so quick to make it so about wins 485 00:20:53,960 --> 00:20:56,880 Speaker 1: and losses and performance at the youth level that kids 486 00:20:56,880 --> 00:21:00,520 Speaker 1: who might be a little bit behind development wise, you know, 487 00:21:00,760 --> 00:21:04,000 Speaker 1: maybe get scared off to another sport because, let's, baseball 488 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:06,480 Speaker 1: is a very challenging sport. Uh, it's it's there's a 489 00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:09,640 Speaker 1: lot of skills involved, and I think retention is such 490 00:21:09,640 --> 00:21:12,080 Speaker 1: a key. We gotta keep these kids playing so they 491 00:21:12,240 --> 00:21:14,320 Speaker 1: have the opportunity to get better, you know. But at 492 00:21:14,359 --> 00:21:16,400 Speaker 1: the same time, I don't want my kid or quote 493 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:19,160 Speaker 1: unquote parents don't want their kids, or travel organizations don't 494 00:21:19,160 --> 00:21:21,120 Speaker 1: want to have teams that aren't winning all the time. 495 00:21:21,160 --> 00:21:23,000 Speaker 1: So how do we figure that out? Your you know, 496 00:21:23,040 --> 00:21:25,320 Speaker 1: if you're a sports parent, how do I navigate this 497 00:21:25,359 --> 00:21:27,120 Speaker 1: where I could put my kid in the best possible 498 00:21:27,119 --> 00:21:30,000 Speaker 1: situation to where having fun so he keeps wanting to play, 499 00:21:30,040 --> 00:21:32,080 Speaker 1: Because if you're not playing, you're not gonna get better anyway. 500 00:21:32,160 --> 00:21:34,720 Speaker 1: How do you navigate that? You know? I mean, you 501 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:37,639 Speaker 1: just nailed it. Is it fun? Is it fun? Like 502 00:21:37,720 --> 00:21:40,159 Speaker 1: look at yourself as a youth coach and ask yourself, 503 00:21:40,280 --> 00:21:42,480 Speaker 1: is it fun to come to my practice? I think 504 00:21:42,520 --> 00:21:47,000 Speaker 1: that's exactly where I would start, where anybody needs to start. 505 00:21:47,080 --> 00:21:50,200 Speaker 1: And is it about Is it about like being able 506 00:21:50,240 --> 00:21:53,560 Speaker 1: to do things exactly like you're supposed to do them, 507 00:21:53,680 --> 00:21:56,080 Speaker 1: or is it about us getting better? And having a 508 00:21:56,200 --> 00:21:59,840 Speaker 1: foundation for here's how we're gonna do things, guys. Here's 509 00:21:59,840 --> 00:22:02,680 Speaker 1: how we're gonna field the groundball, guys, here's how we're 510 00:22:02,680 --> 00:22:05,240 Speaker 1: gonna warm up every day, and it's something that they 511 00:22:05,280 --> 00:22:07,120 Speaker 1: have a chance to look forward to. I mean, let's 512 00:22:07,160 --> 00:22:10,360 Speaker 1: be honest. For some kids, the results in the games 513 00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:13,600 Speaker 1: aren't gonna be there because they're just not quite ready 514 00:22:13,880 --> 00:22:17,439 Speaker 1: for coach bitch, or they're not quite ready for a 515 00:22:17,440 --> 00:22:20,400 Speaker 1: bigger field, whatever the case may be. So if that's 516 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:23,080 Speaker 1: their only experience is measured with did I get a 517 00:22:23,160 --> 00:22:26,359 Speaker 1: hit or was I able to throw strikes or was 518 00:22:26,440 --> 00:22:29,520 Speaker 1: I able to get strikeouts? Like whatever, If that's what 519 00:22:29,560 --> 00:22:32,320 Speaker 1: they're wrapped up in, it's not gonna be fun for him, 520 00:22:32,320 --> 00:22:34,440 Speaker 1: because that's how our game works, right, I mean, it's 521 00:22:34,520 --> 00:22:37,680 Speaker 1: it's it's a game of failure. So if it's about that, 522 00:22:37,840 --> 00:22:40,560 Speaker 1: then then more kids are gonna be pushed away. Then 523 00:22:40,640 --> 00:22:42,520 Speaker 1: then are gonna be sucked in by this game. I 524 00:22:42,600 --> 00:22:44,240 Speaker 1: was sucked in by it at a young age because 525 00:22:44,240 --> 00:22:46,040 Speaker 1: I had a twin brother and I just love to 526 00:22:46,080 --> 00:22:48,280 Speaker 1: go play catch and I'd love to go out there 527 00:22:48,600 --> 00:22:51,600 Speaker 1: and do things that had nothing to do with the 528 00:22:51,720 --> 00:22:54,080 Speaker 1: result of the game. Or the result of the at bad. 529 00:22:54,200 --> 00:22:56,520 Speaker 1: And so if we can make that fun for kids 530 00:22:56,560 --> 00:22:58,560 Speaker 1: to be able to go to practice and to do 531 00:22:58,760 --> 00:23:01,560 Speaker 1: things the right way and act as everybody can do 532 00:23:01,680 --> 00:23:03,840 Speaker 1: something the right way. They might not be as talented 533 00:23:03,880 --> 00:23:05,720 Speaker 1: as the guy next to him. But if we make 534 00:23:05,760 --> 00:23:07,760 Speaker 1: it about doing things the right way, and here's the 535 00:23:07,800 --> 00:23:10,879 Speaker 1: foundation of the skill set that we want our kids 536 00:23:10,880 --> 00:23:12,959 Speaker 1: to have, and they want to learn how to do 537 00:23:13,040 --> 00:23:14,680 Speaker 1: these things in the game, then they're going to give 538 00:23:14,680 --> 00:23:16,720 Speaker 1: themselves the best chance to develop, in the best chance 539 00:23:16,760 --> 00:23:18,680 Speaker 1: to be a good baseball player and to have fun 540 00:23:18,760 --> 00:23:20,480 Speaker 1: with it. And if we can do those things, then 541 00:23:20,720 --> 00:23:22,639 Speaker 1: I think we're putting our our youth in a in 542 00:23:22,680 --> 00:23:25,240 Speaker 1: a great chance to just fall in love with baseball 543 00:23:25,280 --> 00:23:27,919 Speaker 1: and to do something maybe bigger than they saw it, 544 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:29,920 Speaker 1: you know, just because the coaches cared and they did 545 00:23:29,920 --> 00:23:31,640 Speaker 1: things the right way. But you know that it's got 546 00:23:31,640 --> 00:23:33,800 Speaker 1: to be funner. Kids aren't gonna like it, you know, 547 00:23:33,840 --> 00:23:36,000 Speaker 1: as we finished up here, coach, you brought up and 548 00:23:36,040 --> 00:23:37,879 Speaker 1: I think it's one of the biggest things that gets 549 00:23:37,920 --> 00:23:40,560 Speaker 1: missed or people don't understand. And I just can think 550 00:23:40,560 --> 00:23:42,800 Speaker 1: back of my experience. I was a catcher and and 551 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:46,800 Speaker 1: when those that that field grew and I couldn't reach 552 00:23:46,840 --> 00:23:48,760 Speaker 1: second base for like a year and a half. Like 553 00:23:49,240 --> 00:23:52,000 Speaker 1: the field got bigger and I could, I didn't get bigger, 554 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:55,520 Speaker 1: and it was frustrating, it was challenging. What are ways parents, 555 00:23:55,840 --> 00:23:57,640 Speaker 1: you know, some advice should get to these kids who 556 00:23:57,640 --> 00:24:00,480 Speaker 1: are quote unquote late bloomers physically right yone wants to 557 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:02,960 Speaker 1: be classify. Now, well, let's say you just want to 558 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:05,600 Speaker 1: keep your kids involved. You want to they have some talent, 559 00:24:05,640 --> 00:24:07,760 Speaker 1: they love the game. The fields are gonna get bigger, 560 00:24:07,800 --> 00:24:09,879 Speaker 1: things are gonna get more challenging. What are ways that 561 00:24:09,960 --> 00:24:12,560 Speaker 1: they can navigate that keep their kids excited while keeping 562 00:24:12,560 --> 00:24:15,200 Speaker 1: them with a good attitude in the right perspective. Now 563 00:24:15,200 --> 00:24:17,359 Speaker 1: that that's a great question. It's so hard to to. 564 00:24:17,760 --> 00:24:19,760 Speaker 1: I mean, the good Lord's gonna give you your growth 565 00:24:19,760 --> 00:24:22,160 Speaker 1: spurt and your strength is gonna come. You know, when 566 00:24:22,200 --> 00:24:25,120 Speaker 1: your body decides it's ready to grow or it's ready 567 00:24:25,119 --> 00:24:27,239 Speaker 1: to get stronger. We can't rush that. As soon as 568 00:24:27,240 --> 00:24:30,360 Speaker 1: we start to rush that, it becomes risk of injury 569 00:24:30,400 --> 00:24:33,359 Speaker 1: and our guys getting frustrated with with where they're at. 570 00:24:33,400 --> 00:24:36,119 Speaker 1: I would just say, if we're gonna if we're gonna 571 00:24:36,200 --> 00:24:39,080 Speaker 1: keep kids engaged. When the field gets bigger or the 572 00:24:39,200 --> 00:24:41,600 Speaker 1: game gets a little bit faster, we have to be 573 00:24:41,720 --> 00:24:44,359 Speaker 1: really really good at the things that we can control. Okay, 574 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:47,480 Speaker 1: we can't control throwing to bases that are hundred and 575 00:24:47,480 --> 00:24:49,560 Speaker 1: twenty feet now instead of what we were used to 576 00:24:49,600 --> 00:24:52,280 Speaker 1: when we were twelve. You we we can't control how 577 00:24:52,320 --> 00:24:54,880 Speaker 1: hard another guy is throwing, but we can certainly control, 578 00:24:55,240 --> 00:24:58,040 Speaker 1: um the little things like how foundational cannot be with 579 00:24:58,080 --> 00:25:01,520 Speaker 1: my footwork? How well do i'm oh myself as a hitter? Um? 580 00:25:01,840 --> 00:25:03,800 Speaker 1: Can I do some things? Can I bunt? Can I 581 00:25:03,840 --> 00:25:05,520 Speaker 1: help my team get on base? I might not be 582 00:25:05,600 --> 00:25:07,240 Speaker 1: the strongest kid I went through that. I've got a 583 00:25:07,280 --> 00:25:09,280 Speaker 1: fifteen year old and he just wasn't very strong, but 584 00:25:09,320 --> 00:25:11,639 Speaker 1: he kept playing. Um, he kept working. He's starting to 585 00:25:11,640 --> 00:25:13,719 Speaker 1: finally get a little bit stronger and his success has 586 00:25:13,760 --> 00:25:15,800 Speaker 1: come a little bit later rather than sooner. And so 587 00:25:16,040 --> 00:25:18,119 Speaker 1: for me, it's just about allowing our kids to be 588 00:25:18,200 --> 00:25:20,439 Speaker 1: able to control the things that they can and to 589 00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:22,959 Speaker 1: do things that are there for this game, right. I mean, 590 00:25:22,960 --> 00:25:25,040 Speaker 1: there's some little guys playing in the big leagues, and 591 00:25:25,200 --> 00:25:27,320 Speaker 1: you know, this is one sport where you can you 592 00:25:27,359 --> 00:25:28,919 Speaker 1: can do some things. So maybe you need to get 593 00:25:28,920 --> 00:25:30,600 Speaker 1: a little bit faster. Maybe you need to learn how 594 00:25:30,640 --> 00:25:32,159 Speaker 1: to bunt a little bit. Maybe you need to be 595 00:25:32,200 --> 00:25:34,840 Speaker 1: able to bridge that gap with some skills that you 596 00:25:34,880 --> 00:25:38,200 Speaker 1: haven't had to worry about before until now that that 597 00:25:38,359 --> 00:25:40,440 Speaker 1: maybe skills that are gonna be great for your game 598 00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:41,919 Speaker 1: that you can take with you for the rest of 599 00:25:41,920 --> 00:25:44,199 Speaker 1: your career. Because you stepped outside and said, you know 600 00:25:44,240 --> 00:25:46,600 Speaker 1: what I'm I'm aware. I'm very self aware of who 601 00:25:46,600 --> 00:25:48,399 Speaker 1: I am and where I am, and I gotta do 602 00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:50,160 Speaker 1: some different things to be able to get on base 603 00:25:50,160 --> 00:25:51,639 Speaker 1: and to be able to help my team. And you know, 604 00:25:51,680 --> 00:25:53,280 Speaker 1: maybe I need to go play second base when I 605 00:25:53,320 --> 00:25:55,040 Speaker 1: turned thirteen until I get a little bit bigger and 606 00:25:55,080 --> 00:25:56,760 Speaker 1: stronger than I can go back to the left side. 607 00:25:56,800 --> 00:25:58,960 Speaker 1: So you know some of those things that come to mind, Earl. 608 00:25:59,040 --> 00:26:01,240 Speaker 1: I mean, everybody's path is different, but we all have 609 00:26:01,320 --> 00:26:03,160 Speaker 1: to be patient with our bodies and our strength level. 610 00:26:03,680 --> 00:26:06,720 Speaker 1: Scott Jackson, Liberty University. I can't thank you enough, my man. 611 00:26:06,800 --> 00:26:09,360 Speaker 1: This has been awesome. Nick. I appreciate you, dude. You're 612 00:26:09,400 --> 00:26:11,960 Speaker 1: doing big things and I appreciate you, including um, not 613 00:26:12,040 --> 00:26:14,840 Speaker 1: just myself but Liberty Baseball and uh, just keep on 614 00:26:14,960 --> 00:26:18,400 Speaker 1: plugging man, it's awesome. That's Scott Jackson, head baseball coach 615 00:26:18,440 --> 00:26:21,760 Speaker 1: at Liberty University. Thanks for listening to the Reform Sports 616 00:26:21,760 --> 00:26:24,439 Speaker 1: Project podcast. I'm Nick Boncourt and our goal is to 617 00:26:24,480 --> 00:26:27,520 Speaker 1: restore a healthy balance and perspective in all areas of 618 00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:31,119 Speaker 1: sports through education and advocacy. For updates, please follow us 619 00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:34,400 Speaker 1: on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or check out our website 620 00:26:34,440 --> 00:26:36,520 Speaker 1: by searching for the Reform Sports Project