We talk a lot about "individualized training" in baseball and softball. Coaches pride themselves on tailoring programs to fit each athlete's needs. But what if, instead of personalizing training, we're actually doing the opposite?

The Ice Cream Analogy

Imagine walking into an ice cream shop with 31 flavors. You get excited about the possibilities, but the cashier tells you, "Based on my assessment, you can only pick vanilla or chocolate."

That’s not choice—that’s restriction.

This is exactly what happens in movement training. A coach assesses a player, puts them in a box, and only allows them to train within a narrow set of exercises based on their view of how the athlete should move. Instead of expanding movement possibilities, they are actually limiting the athlete’s ability to adapt and perform in unpredictable game situations.

There’s No One Way to Move

Some systems categorize players as either a cheetah mover (fast and elastic) or a gorilla mover (strong and powerful). But here’s the truth: no two players will solve a movement problem the exact same way.

✔️ Different joint angles
✔️ Different rotation patterns
✔️ Different ways to generate speed and power

Think about animals in the wild. A cheetah doesn’t just sprint all day. A gorilla doesn’t only rely on brute strength. They adapt to their environment. Players should train the same way—exploring different movement solutions, refining adaptability, and developing reactions to game-time chaos.

What True Individualized Training Looks Like

If we really want to individualize training, we need to stop labeling players and start letting them explore movement.

1. Encourage Variability - Allow players to move in different ways, not just within a predefined category.

2. Let the Body Solve Problems - Movement emerges naturally when players are given the freedom to react and adapt.

3. Train Transitions, Not Just Positions - The best athletes move smoothly between actions, not just within them.

4. Prioritize Flow Over Mechanics - Mechanics should support movement, not restrict it.

Baseball and softball are chaotic sports. No two plays are ever the same. So why do we expect players to all move the same way?

If we want to develop resilient, adaptable, high-performing athletes, we need to rethink what "individualized training" actually means. True movement skill isn’t built in a box—it’s built through exploration, adaptability, and flow.

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Let's train smarter, move better, and flow in the game.

Best Regards,

Dr. Ismael Gallo DPT, MBA

Founder, Baseball Flows

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