Oklahoma State University Athletics
Coach Gajewski Talks Coaching with Mental Performance Coach Tyler Pazik
August 18, 2020 | Cowgirl Softball
To listen to Coach Gajewski's full interview with Tyler Pazik, click HERE.
STILLWATERÂ - Kenny Gajewski joined mental performance coach Tyler Pazik on the Pazik Performance Group podcast to discuss the mental aspects of coaching softball.
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During the chat, Gajewski stressed how important the mental side of the game is for both coaches and players. He talked about how vital it is to find out what each individual player needs to help them play freely and get the most out of them, not only as players but also as people.Â
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Other points of emphasis for Gajewski when it comes to leading his players are expectations, accountability and ownership. Drawing from his experiences as an assistant coach at the University of Florida and at the helm of Cowgirl softball, he explains how all of these aspects create trust between players and coaches. In his experience, trust is a major factor in being able to mold players into who they want to become and to get them to buy into the program, their teammates and coaches, as well as themselves.Â
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Gajewski acknowledged the challenges that come with leading young athletes and how he is continuing to learn how to help his team, individually and as a unit.Â
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"I'm getting better at, and this is something Brett Ledbetter helped me with, is don't give the answers," Gajewski said. "I try to ask questions to get them to answer what they need to answer."
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Despite all of his success during his time as a baseball player and a softball coach, Gajewski said he enjoys the process of molding his players the most. He takes pride in being a part of the foundation of his players' futures and wants his team to be made up of, first and foremost, good people.Â
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"Winning is a byproduct of good people playing free and having the best experience they can here at OSU," Gajewski said.Â
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Gajewski also mentioned the steps that Oklahoma State's athletic department is taking as a whole, including more communication and collaboration among all coaches at OSU.
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STILLWATERÂ - Kenny Gajewski joined mental performance coach Tyler Pazik on the Pazik Performance Group podcast to discuss the mental aspects of coaching softball.
Â
During the chat, Gajewski stressed how important the mental side of the game is for both coaches and players. He talked about how vital it is to find out what each individual player needs to help them play freely and get the most out of them, not only as players but also as people.Â
Â
Other points of emphasis for Gajewski when it comes to leading his players are expectations, accountability and ownership. Drawing from his experiences as an assistant coach at the University of Florida and at the helm of Cowgirl softball, he explains how all of these aspects create trust between players and coaches. In his experience, trust is a major factor in being able to mold players into who they want to become and to get them to buy into the program, their teammates and coaches, as well as themselves.Â
Â
Gajewski acknowledged the challenges that come with leading young athletes and how he is continuing to learn how to help his team, individually and as a unit.Â
Â
"I'm getting better at, and this is something Brett Ledbetter helped me with, is don't give the answers," Gajewski said. "I try to ask questions to get them to answer what they need to answer."
Â
Despite all of his success during his time as a baseball player and a softball coach, Gajewski said he enjoys the process of molding his players the most. He takes pride in being a part of the foundation of his players' futures and wants his team to be made up of, first and foremost, good people.Â
Â
"Winning is a byproduct of good people playing free and having the best experience they can here at OSU," Gajewski said.Â
Â
Gajewski also mentioned the steps that Oklahoma State's athletic department is taking as a whole, including more communication and collaboration among all coaches at OSU.
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