Willie M

Life Lesson #14: Controlled Aggression

CONTROLLED AGGRESSION - A Winning Approach

Controlled aggression refers to an attitude and approach of individual athletes as well as teams. It is the art of keeping an opponent on their heels, dictating pace, and often determining outcomes. Involving steady pressure and consistent work, the appropriate level of aggression on a baseball diamond is essential to complete a dominant baseball team. Often times, an aggressive nature is the missing ingredient between a talented team and a successful team.

A team exemplifying controlled aggression has pitchers that are aggressive in the strike zone, hitters looking to drive the ball, and baserunners expecting to take the extra base. It's an attitude of: "Go, go, go... stop!" This means that a team is constantly searching for ways to take charge of a game. Batters are "thinking two" (double) on every ball hit to the outfield, until a fielder makes a play that stops him. Likewise, a baserunner is going "1st to 3rd" on every base hit, taking the extra base on a ball in the dirt, and scoring from second... until an opposing player, a coach, or the situation calls for him to stop.

With regard to pitchers, the value of this attitude is easily seen in pick off moves. In most every instance, a pick off play that results in an out is a "bang-bang" play. This means that there is only a split second between the runner being safe or out. A pitcher must be thinking, "Go, go, go... stop." Or, in this case, "throw, throw, throw... stop (don't throw)," if he is to catch the runner off guard. Any hesitancy (a pitcher waiting to see if he has a play), and the runner has the split second he needs to return safely to the base.

An attitude too cautious or intimidated results in lost opportunities. Hesitancy can kill a rally, halt momentum, and give opposing batters an advantage. Teaching proper levels of controlled aggression is difficult, and is most effectively conveyed over several weeks of practice. Establish a mind set of controlled aggression early and constantly point out instances where the attitude is effective. Over the course of a season, a team that learns to take charge of the ballgame will find itself creating it's own good luck, finding ways to succeed and confidently expecting to win.