What Athletes Do in December Matters
How athletes keep learning, leading, and growing when the season slows down
December brings snow, short days, and more time indoors. It also brings a familiar challenge: how do we keep athletes learning, engaged, and growing when the season slows down?
Below are 11 smart options for productive couch time—resources that inspire the mind while giving the body a needed break.
4 Sports Documentaries
The Last Dance made it feel like Michael Jordan was at the house for dinner. The right documentary inspires, informs, and offers a productive way to rest. Think of it as cross-training for the mind.
The Last Dance (2020)
Appeal: Leadership through standards. Competitive edge. Accountability.
Quote: “Winning has a price, and leadership has a price.”
Note: Contains strong language in parts.
The Last Dance and the three documentaries below share one thing in common: the central figure sets the tone for everyone around them through habits, standards, and commitment.
The 2008 U.S. Olympic basketball team needed Kobe Bryant’s example. The NBA’s biggest personalities lined up behind him once they realized one thing—he was more committed than they were.
LeBron James said:
“At 5:30 a.m., Kobe is already drenched in sweat. He’s different.”
Carlos Boozer remembered:
“The next thing you know, it goes from just Kobe at 5:30 in the morning to LeBron and D-Wade. By the end of the week, the whole team was getting up every morning. We were on Kobe’s schedule.”
That Netflix special is called The Redeem Team. If you think the name gives away the ending, trust your instincts.
The Redeem Team (2022)
Appeal: Team chemistry. Defining roles.
Quote: “We had to figure out how to become a great team.”
Note: Frequent strong language.
Bye Bye Barry (2023)
Appeal: Humility. Simplicity. Father–son relationship.
Quote: “He just wanted to play football.”
Note: Some strong language.
Evan Longoria’s Mental Maturity (2015)
Appeal: A player’s perspective on the mental game.
Quote: “The most important thing that changed was his mental maturation.”
Note: Clean. Full 11-minute segment below.
7 Good Books
Courtesy of our friend Joe Fangmann, with notes.
The Mental Game of Baseball, by Harvey Dorfman
He wrote a series, but this one still hits. At age 47, the players and examples remain relevant.
Mind Gym, by Gary Mack
Similar themes to The Mental Game of Baseball. A practical guide to inner excellence.
The Rise of Superman, by Steven Kotler
A fascinating look at the science of peak human performance. Bonus: excellent audiobook narration.
The Baseball Playbook, by Ron Polk
A nerdy classic on practice planning and program organization. Covers everything from field management to washing uniforms. A great reference tool.
Rich Dad Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki
Not baseball-specific, but full of valuable lessons. As an accountant, I’ve always appreciated this mindset. My uncle introduced me to investing at 12—he’s my “Rich Dad” in many ways.
For the 12U Hungry Learner
The Unexpected Light of Thomas Alva Edison, by Raymond Arroyo
A powerful reminder that there are many paths to greatness. Especially meaningful for kids who struggle in traditional classrooms.
Win the Next Pitch, by Dr. Curt Ickes
Part of a great series. Essential mental-game skills for young baseball players.
A Winter Challenge for High Schoolers
Two simple ways to sharpen training when no one is watching. This applies to high school players—and serious middle schoolers—who want to win the day.
Set a plan: Make calls in advance to line up workout partners.
Create a schedule: Each Sunday, write a 7-day script for the upcoming week.
The more detailed the plan, the better the map. Be specific down to 30-minute blocks (or smaller). Include time to eat, read, and rest.
The question isn’t if I’m going to lift, run, or throw—it’s when, with whom, and for how long. Writing it down builds ownership.
Sharpen the schedule each week by:
Adjusting and resetting goals
Signing the bottom (a weekly contract with yourself)
Keeping your performance journal visible
Any $3 notebook becomes a performance journal. As you write, the pages gain value. Consistency plus sweat builds confidence.
Walk a little taller as school and practice begin in 2026.
Player Development Is Personal Development
The best app I’ve ever seen in any training/sport — maybe even self-development included!
— Happy Parent
Fifteen minutes a day changes mindset.
More than that changes your game.
Training + Engagement = Growth
“I wake up different because of 365.”
— Marc Warner, Charlotte, NC
Join us Tuesday night—the best info for the people who make the impact: you.
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Have a great week! See you tonight.
On the adventure,
—Greg Moore
greg@troskyedtech.com
TroskyBaseball.com
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