Straight talk on the culture of sport, athletic development and sports performance. For athletes, parents coaches, trainers and anyone enthusiastic about the current state of youth, high school and college sports.
Welcome to a deep dive into the evolving landscape of sports, where the rulebook for athlete development is being rewritten daily. In a recent discussion on "Ask Aaron and Ask EJ," hosts Eric Johnson and Coach Aaron explored the multifaceted pressures facing young athletes today. From seismic shifts in college baseball recruiting to the psychological hurdles of competition in the digital age, the…
In the world of sports, we focus on drills, physical conditioning, and strategy. But what about one of the most critical skills for success—one that happens off the field, court, or track? We're talking about athlete-coach communication. For many athletes, approaching a coach can feel intimidating, leading to missed opportunities for growth.
For high school athletes, particularly rising seniors, the college recruiting journey can feel like a maze of confusion and anxiety. Many talented players feel like if they don't have offers by the summer before their senior year, the dream is over. But that couldn't be further from the truth. The landscape of college recruiting has changed dramatically, and a crucial window of opportunity is wide…
n a recent episode of "Ask Aaron and Ask EJ," they pull back the curtain on the modern draft. Drawing from their experience with three recently drafted athletes—Tyler Spangler (Phillies, 1st round), Paulie Contreras (Yankees, 4th round), and Jacob Johnson (Cardinals, 17th round)—they revealed a process that has evolved far beyond old-school scouting.
Explore the shifting landscape of collegiate baseball recruiting. Learn why dedicated baseball player development is more crucial than ever for high school athletes to succeed in the new NCAA environment and beyond.
The spring season is underway, and with it comes the excitement of competition. But what happens when the first weekend doesn't go as planned? Your young athlete strikes out, misses a shot, or posts a disappointing time. The immediate instinct for many parents and coaches is to sound the alarm and demand immediate changes. This "knee-jerk reaction" to a poor performance is a common pitfall.…
Discover the biggest mistakes athletes make that kill their off-season gains. Learn why consistent in-season training is crucial for peak performance, injury prevention, and long-term development.
Explore the reasons behind the decline of West Coast college baseball. Learn why SEC and ACC programs now dominate and what it means for high school recruits.
The first mistake people make is treating "the process" as a passive descriptor rather than an active verb. It’s easy to say, "We're in the process," but the critical question is: what are you doing ? As the coaches point out, the process is about the concrete actions you take consistently. It's not a title you give your journey; it's the journey itself. The process demands intentional,…
In this two-part episode, Coach Aaron and Coach EJ explore the critical parent-coach-athlete dynamic in youth sports. They first analyze how parental actions and attitudes can either foster independence or create dependency, hindering an athlete's growth. The discussion then pivots to the coach's role, offering parents practical advice on vetting coaching styles and monitoring the relationship to…
