FAQ

​

​

Frequently Asked Questions

​

Who do you work with?

We work with all levels from youth through professional.  At the youth level we teach; offering individual, buddy or group lessons. With older players we evaluate, teach, mentor, consult, and place athletes; working primarily with two populations: high school players transitioning into college and college players transitioning into professional baseball.  Within those two populations we also work with college players who are interested in transferring schools and free agents already in professional baseball.

​

We are committed to character because we feel that character will ultimately produce success.  We are  especially interested in passion, grit, determination, work ethic and intelligence.  We are looking to work with the player who "has" to succeed.

 

Why employ our services?

Three words:    Individual ** Success *** Affordable

 

We are completely invested in the individual athlete and the fulfillment of his very specific needs.  We have been 100% successful with our clients and are determined to continue to do so. 

 

Our own success as a business lies in the success of our clients .  The success of our clients lies in helping them realize consistency in their top performance; not just to play but to play at the ceiling of their ability and even  beyond that ceiling consistently.

​

Rather than charging a flat rate, we have organized the relationship between ourselves and clients into events that can be paid individually as the process unfolds.  If the athlete and the individual family are not pleased with the service they can withdraw from the program.  Likewise, if we feel we cannot succeed with an athlete we also can withdraw.

 

How much does this cost?

Our services are booked at a baseline estimated rate of approximately • $100/session/hr.  

Some examples include:

 

Evaluation is $200 to $300 dependent upon scope of evaluation.

An thorough evaluation may last several hours and involves all aspects of athletic success; not just individual sport skill work but overall athleticism; strength, speed and agility, assessment of  appropriate workout program, mental toughness, appropriate school habits, etc.

 

Teaching/Training is $100/session

Sessions are comprised of strength, speed, skill work, mental skills and consulting . 

 

Training is by mutual decision between client and GCGPGH however in general training is 1 – 2 sessions/week with two  15 – 20 min. additional follow up sessions through phone or screen share at no extra charge.  Occasionally outside instruction (subcontractors) are employed on an as needed basis.  An easy example may be an appropriate academic tutor or advisor.

 

First Consultation with athlete and family                      $100

 

First research on colleges                                                      $375 estimated

Cost dependent upon extent of research                                                  

 

Second consultation/first outreach to schools               $375 estimated                                                      

Cost dependent upon extent of research  

 

Marketing

Video if necessary                                                                         $300/skill

 

Third Consultation                                                                   $100

College selection

 

Campus Visits                                                                             $200/day  + expenses

 
 

You don't run teams...  how do you coordinate with outside teams?

We are not in conflict with team participation.  We advise and help players get placed on the best teams for their own individual development.  We are working for the individual player and his personal development not for the sake of the team and the team's wins.  Players get better at playing the game by playing the game.  Simple.  If a player is on a winning team but he sits on the bench; he gets better at sitting on the bench.  Once a player is on a team we continue our involvement.  Obviously players have to take what they learn to the competitive area and we are involved in that process at every step.  We prepare and adjust through consultation before and after all games. 

​

You don't go to showcases, tournaments, tryouts and camps?

Yes ... and no.  We DO stage our own TRYOUT and EVALUATION events and we DO advise players to attend events which are APPROPRIATE for them.  First,  we feel strongly that an athlete should take something away from an event rather than only "being seen".  It's called "feedback."  What most people don't realize is that at the highest levels in all human endeavour easily 90% of the time and work is invested in "preparation and adjustment".  Playing in the games comprises 10% of the process; or even less.  To realize this truth and learn how to employ it, is a huge part of the learning process or maturation of a performer. 

 

Our own evaluation events are administrated by top professionals.  Athletes are provided with information to enable them to improve and elevate their game so they are empowered to reach their goals.

 

Secondarily, the question needs to be asked, "Is there something to be gained from attending an event."  If playing against more competitive talent, or larger crowds or in front of important people has a benefit,  then obviously the answer is "yes".  If however, for example, with an older seasoned player to attend tryouts with inappropriate schools or scouts in attendance is a waste of resources and often emotions as well. 

 

As much as possible we work to remove the burden of the recruiting process from the athlete and his or her family.  We want the athlete to concentrate on performance; on scholastic and athletic excellence.  We try to gather and supply the athlete and the family with the most and best information possible in order to make the best decisions regarding the "next step" in their careers.

 

We DO connect with APPROPRIATE schools and programs; programs that are right for an individual athlete.

As much as possible we try to gain an "intimate" and "first hand" connection to an appropriate school or team.  If we can accomplish that through an email or phone call we will do so.  If that involves attending a specific event then that is what we will  do.  If it involves attending a showcase or tryout event that is correct for the individual athlete then we will be involved.  

​

We will do all in our power to place the athlete in the right program.  Success in placement of an individual athlete is NOT random.

​

What is unique about your service?

1.   Attention to individuality and specificity.  No two players are alike at any level.  They are individuals.  The collegiate player has to meet an enormous number of factors - personal, academic, and athletic - to satisfy his needs.  Likewise the professional.  We feel confident that we can fulfill those needs and athletically upgrade a player’s performance in order to make him both successful and attractive to colleges or professional teams. 

​

2.  We look for athletes who want to learn and improve.  Targeting the player with grit, determination, work ethic, passion and intelligence for we feel that those are the most important ingredients for success.

​

Ironically many of those athletes are athletes who have had their careers impacted upon by "perception" rather than "projection".  Interestingly enough almost all  of the players we have been successful with were not "stars" ... yet; when we met or first interactd with them.  They were "developing" talents who simply had not reached their  potential but possessed all the character traits for success.

​

3.  Attention to the mental game.  All major league teams and the majority of the NBA, NHL, NFL, and other sports and some of the biggest stars in all sports and other performance environments  employ mental skills coaching.  The game is minimally 99.9% mental.  What separates players at the highest levels is not physical ability but mental toughness - the ability to perform consistently at the top of their game especially under pressure. This is exactly why character is so important. 

 

P = P - I is a simply psychological catchphrase. 

It means, “Performance equals Potential minus Interference.”

 

Very simply the athlete who wants to ascend to the next level very likely has some grasp and control of his top performance.  At the next level, be it collegiate or professional baseball, he will be surrounded by players of equal high level athletic ability or even better.  What will dictate his success is the consistency of his ability to produce that high level.

 

One of the most powerful elements in that process is the mental game.  We teach all our players at every level; from the youngest youth level on up ... to think like a professional.  It's really no different than learning how to lift weights, run, hit, throw, shoot; whatever.  It's a matter of developing a skill and a muscle and improving it through intelligent repetitive work.  Obviously that mental muscle will develop and improve no differently than resistance levels for a weightlifter or times for a speed athlete.  The impact is astonishing.  Mental strength/toughness can improve a player 5 - 10% and more; even in skill games as dificult as golf, tennis, baseball/softball, lacrosse, basketball, etc..

​

4.  Client protection and affordability.   If we are not a fit we will not sell our services to you.  It's a partnership; everybody working toward a common goal.  Conflicts within the ranks leads to failure.  We are interested in success. 

 

How do the changes in eligibility and the prospect of an abbreviated draft rounds affect players.

The impact of these two rule changes will be huge.  The bottom line unfortunately is that there will be fewer opportunities for players throughout all collegiate and professional levels.   We have a separate tab on this site relative to information.  Simply put; players and their families, more than ever will need to make intelligent, well-informed decisions.

​

Do you work with college transfers?

Absolutely.  One of the biggest issues in college baseball is, in fact, transfers.  Players who are not succeeding at a specific program or at a level, DI or DII for example, may look for a change and we can indeed help, not only with baseball but with grades, courses and eligibility issues.

​

Do you work with professional free agents?

Yes.
 

How am I protected as a client?

You are protected very simply by your ability to leave the program.  We work entirely with individuals  and through individual events such as evaluation, consulting, teaching and training sessions. We do not operate under the same economic principles as team or academies with a preordained schedule of games, tournaments, and showcases that the customer commits to and pays for. Our events or sessions are singular.  If at any point in the process the client or GCGPGH is not comfortable, the relationship is simply terminated.  If we cannot help the athlete and the family achieve their goal we do not want to be paid.

​

We have been 100% successful with our clients.  If an individual is not a good fit for our program and we feel we cannot be successful with them then we would rather not engage our services.

​

Do you work with college transfers?

Yes.  One of the largest movements within college sports is transfers.  For a variety of reasons, an athlete can find that that they are not a fit at a particular school.  It  could be curriculum, the athletic program, the social environment of the school or any number of factors.  The important issue is to find a program that is a good fit on all fronts for each individual athlete.

​

How do you work with professional players?

Any athlete competing as a professional is truly an elite.  The differences in performances are incredibly minute.  We feel that we can improve an individual's play by 5 - 10% through specific skill work especially mental skills training.  This training is what separates players at this level.

​

We have connections in both affiliate and independent baseball dependent entirely upon finding the best situation for that player to both develop and be seen.

​

LEARN MORE

Follow these links to learn more from Karl Avdek about our program and its philosophy ...

​

The DI fixation in college sports (part 1)

https://performunderpressuresports.com/d1-fixation-college-sports/

 

The DI fixation in college sports (part 2)

https://performunderpressuresports.com/d1-fixation-college-sports-2/

 

The single most important character trait required for success (part 1)

https://performunderpressuresports.com/single-important-trait-required-success/

 

The single most important character trait required for success (part 2)

https://performunderpressuresports.com/single-important-character-trait-necessary-success-part-2/

 

Believe in yourself … just in case nobody else does!!!

https://performunderpressuresports.com/believe-just-case-nobody-else/

 

Are you training for mental toughness or do you run with rocks in your shoes?

https://performunderpressuresports.com/training-mental-toughness-run-rocks-shoes/

​

Passion and vision. How important are they? 

https://performunderpressuresports.com/passion-vision-important-part-1/

 

Mental toughness: Making it into college baseball

https://performunderpressuresports.com/mental-toughness-making-college-baseball/

 

Use mental toughness to get out of a batting slump

https://performunderpressuresports.com/use-mental-toughness-get-batting-slump/

 

Mentally tough athletes control their anger

https://performunderpressuresports.com/mentally-tough-athletes-control-anger/

 

Confidence in hitting: STOP thinking “defend and protect” with two strikes

https://performunderpressuresports.com/confidence-hittingstop-thinking-defend-protect-two-strikes/

 

Confidence in baseball. You just got cut. Now what?

https://performunderpressuresports.com/confidence-baseball-just-got-cut-now/

 

How to break performance plateaus

https://performunderpressuresports.com/break-performance-plateaus/

 

Confidence in sports: You DON’T need to be confident to perform

https://performunderpressuresports.com/need-dont-need-confident-sports/

 

How to build confidence and overcome fear of failure and mistakes in sports

https://performunderpressuresports.com/build-confidence-overcome-fear-of-failure/

 

Control and use of anger in performance

https://performunderpressuresports.com/control-emotions-sport-deal-even-use-anger-sport/

 

Confidence in sports:  how to get it when you feel like you don’t have it

https://performunderpressuresports.com/confidence-in-sport/

​

Play like you practice. Taking your game in practice to your game on the field

https://performunderpressuresports.com/play-like-you-practice/

​

​

​