UPB Development Pyramid #3 (Specific Physical Development)

The third level of the UPB Development Pyramid is called Specific Physical Development. At this level athletes have a good idea of what they need to work on and have a specific plan to address those issues during their practice session. They don’t mindlessly go through their practice sessions just performing repetitions but rather their repetitions have a purpose. They may perform less repetitions however their practice sessions may be longer in duration because they are focused on each repetition.

When an athlete reaches this level in their practice sessions they are beginning to develop a good level of mastery over their physical skills and their practice sessions are geared to make finer and finer adjustments. While the athlete will begin to use their mind to aide in their development by simply focusing more and having a plan they are still not using their mind fully to help maximize both their development and their performance. They may still cling to the idea that they are limited and their performance (while they can improve) is somehow based on natural ability.

These athletes are more focused however and as a result more engaged during their practice times and private lessons. When these athletes take private lessons they listen and take ownership over what’s being taught. They then go home and try to apply what they’ve learned by performing the drills they’ve been taught and they start to think about what they are doing and make adjustments on their own. The great thing about athletes at this level is that they are starting to use their minds and are usually able to climb to the next level easily. Athletes found at this level are usually elite college players and top professional prospects.