The advice from now-University of Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson, then a coach at Navarro College in Texas, seemed simple enough for the intriguing high schooler who had never before received formal pitching lessons: Pretend your hands and legs are on a string.

“Hands go up, your legs go up. Hands go down, legs go down,” explains Clayton Kershaw, his iconic pitching motion taking shape. “I took it pretty literally.”

More than a decade later, it has worked out well for Kershaw and not so swimmingly for the 2,392 Major League batters he has struck out in his career through July 30, 2019, leaving him just four strikeouts shy of tying Sandy Koufax for third all-time in the category in franchise history. Among Dodger pitchers who’ve tossed 2,000 innings, none have bested Kershaw’s career 2.42 ERA. He is worth more wins above replacement than any pitcher in Dodger history.

And yet, for a litany of reasons -- from the way he’s feeling physically, to his team’s talent, to fatherhood and his young kids growing to an age where baseball is fun -- there is something palpably different about 2019 from the rest of the eight-time All-Star’s prolific career.

“I think I just have a better appreciation having been around for a little while, realizing how hard it is to be on good teams, win and be around a good group of guys,” Kershaw says. “It’s a special thing. Now with kids and stuff, just realizing how special that is to get to share that with them, maybe just a better sense of appreciation for being here.”

Dave Roberts, who has managed Kershaw and the Dodgers since 2016, believes that appreciation is a form of growth.

“That things aren’t always black and white,” Roberts says. “But that comes with experiences -- whether that be success, failures, health, injury, life experiences, game experiences. All that stuff has continued to change his kind of outlook on things.”

His teammates have noticed.

Corey Seager, who has played with Kershaw at the big league level since 2015, says Kershaw has always been a happy guy, enjoying the work it takes to succeed and putting everything into his craft to excel.

“But yeah,” Seager says, “there’s been a little difference to this year. There just seems to be … extra happy? I guess the word is? You can tell he’s appreciating it. He’s always enjoyed it. He’s always done that. But you can tell he’s kind of taken a step back and almost seen it now.”

“I think he gets happier every year, honestly,” adds Ross Stripling, whose locker is next to Kershaw’s and has played with the Dodger ace since 2016. “It’s crazy to see that he still dials it in like he always has. The ‘assassin competitive mode’ is still there -- but beforehand, like the day of (a start), it used to be like don’t even make eye contact with him. Now you can at least say, like, ‘Good morning.’”

Stripling emphasizes that Kershaw remains as locked in as ever and “has always had the mentality of grinding for everything you get.” But he also believes this year, more than ever, Kershaw has figured out how to balance having a good time with his teaching, leading and diligent routine.

That routine remains meticulous. Kershaw has done this long enough to know the mentality he needs to take the mound. In the locker room on a start day, his sweatshirt is on. His hood is up. Assassin mode is activated.

It’s a stark contrast from another thriving arm in the rotation, that of Walker Buehler, who can be found playing cards and chatting with teammates to stay loose. And then there’s another young contributor in rookie Alex Verdugo, never afraid to provide some levity with a comment or remark -- but always in a fun and energetic way, according to Stripling.

“I think Kershaw’s started to actually really like how our locker room is put together,” Stripling says.

Kershaw says it’s a testament to the clubhouse and culture that the Dodgers let young players be themselves when they arrive -- even if they differ from his own way of doing things. When the youngsters do get the occasional jab, “they take it in stride,” Kershaw says.

“We’re not trying to haze or do anything like that to make them think they’re not the same as everybody else, and that’s huge especially in today’s game,” Kershaw says. “You need your young guys to perform and perform really well, and you’ve seen that. We’ve had two Rookies of the Year in the past few years. Now, Dugie’s coming up and doing his thing; Walker, all these young guys coming up feel comfortable, and that’s what we want them to do.”

Varying styles meshed well enough to help the Dodgers snag the best record in baseball and a double-digit division lead by the All-Star break. Many of this year’s youngest players have already been around the club from past call-ups or Spring Trainings.

Seager believes those players have added a jolt of excitement for Kershaw.

“It’s been, I wouldn’t say an older team throughout his career, but it’s always been a veteran clubhouse,” Seager says. “Not that there’s less (veterans) in here now, but there’s definitely more young guys around, and it always rejuvenates you a little bit.”

So has fatherhood for Kershaw.

A Kershaw steps to the mound, glove in front of his face, but it’s not the lefty who’s pitched for 12 seasons in a Dodger uniform.

Clayton’s son, 2 1/2-year-old Charley, uses his right hand to deliver a pitch that trickles a few feet in front of him. Charley’s father smiles, waiting to receive the ball in a nearly emptied-out Dodger Stadium after an April game.

Cali, Clayton Kershaw’s daughter, is now 4 1/2. The youngest Kershaws have reached the age where the ballpark provides ample entertainment for the whole family.

“Cali, she just loves being out on the field,” Clayton Kershaw says admiringly. “Between fireworks or running the bases, she can kind of have the whole run of the place, which she loves. And Charley just loves baseball, period. He wants to pitch or hit or run the bases all the time. So, this year’s been a lot of fun. It’s the first year that they kind of both enjoy coming to the field.”

That’s rubbed off on their three-time Cy Young Award-winning father. It has, admittedly, made coming to the park more fun.

“I think the game hasn’t changed,” Kershaw says, “but I think off the field has definitely changed a lot for me.”

The family enjoyed Father’s Day on the field before the game with the rest of the many Dodger veteran players who also have little ones, all joyfully playing in front of the Dodger dugout.

When day games come to an end, Charley and Cali sprint ahead of their father when Kids Run the Bases -- the Sunday postgame activity for children at Dodger Stadium. When Friday night games conclude, the family gathers on the field to watch fireworks.

Ellen Kershaw, Clayton’s wife, said on SportsNet LA’s “Backstage Dodgers” that “Charley has to be what Clayton was as a 2-year-old.” Any chance Charley gets to be around a baseball field, he’ll take advantage. And any chance Charley can jump on a base, he’ll go for it -- even if it means hovering on top of home plate before the Father’s Day game is about to begin.

Kershaw’s kids made this year’s All-Star nod, his eighth overall but the first Charley would be old enough to enjoy, particularly special.

Since 2016 -- the first of three straight years a back injury forced Kershaw to the injured list -- Roberts hasn’t noticed a change in intensity in the future Hall of Famer.

But, Roberts says, missing time with injury can cause a player to look at baseball from a different lens.

“He’s never taken a day for granted, but I think when injury takes it away from you, there’s kind of more on-the-surface gratitude,” Roberts says. “I think that he loves the guys on the team. He’s very comfortable as far as his surroundings, and he also knows there’s a lot of people that can pick each other up. So, everything is not solely dependent on him.”

That’s particularly the case in 2019, a year in which the Dodgers boast the best rotation in baseball both by ERA and WHIP. Hyun-Jin Ryu’s unmatched precision vaulted him to All-Star status. From the start of May to the end of June, no qualified starter had a better strikeout-to-walk ratio than Buehler, who was also an All-Star. And then there’s Kershaw, who tossed a quality start in 12 of his first 15 starts to add another All-Star selection to his myriad accolades.

“Just to be healthy has been awesome,” Kershaw says. “Last few years, battling different stuff, to just be able to go out there every fifth day and continue to pitch, pitch deeper into games, it sets up your team well.”

Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt knew last year was a grind for Kershaw, who went to the IL twice in 2018 with back and biceps injuries. This year, it’s obvious how strong Kershaw feels.

He’s been the mark of consistency, and perhaps more than ever, the stars around him can ease the load.

“He always says, every time he throws a pen, it’s like, ‘Man, I can’t believe I feel this good,’” Honeycutt says. “Obviously, that’s a better place to be.”

As of July 30, Kershaw had gone at least six innings in each of his first 18 starts of the season, reflecting not only his skill when he takes the mound but also the health allowing him to thrive.

“When you miss time, you’re in the training room, you’re rehabbing, you’re not competing every day, you have a different relationship with players who are active at that current time,” Roberts says. “So, in some weird way, I think it’s helped his, kind of, openness or approachability with other teammates. To see him interact with new players, young players, for me it’s a lot of fun to watch.”

It’s also fun for Honeycutt, who’s been with Kershaw since the pitcher’s first day with the club.

He has seen the growth of Kershaw’s family off the field, from Clayton and Ellen, to Clayton and Ellen and Cali, to Clayton and Ellen and Cali and Charley. And he has seen the growth of Kershaw on the field, from fastballs blown by hitters to a steady dose of curveballs and sliders getting the job accomplished.

Honeycutt calls Kershaw the best self-evaluator on the team. That means constant tweaks and a thorough understanding of how to get batters out from year to year. Through that fastidiousness, Honeycutt says Kershaw has always harbored a great love for baseball, but sometimes his intensity could mask that. This year, it’s more evident how much he’s enjoying the game.

His family is growing, he’s pitching pain-free and he’s doing so for a group he enjoys being around with as good a chance as any at capturing his first World Series title.

“He’s always been a leader as far as his work ethic and his preparation, and I think he sees himself as maybe not so much the vocal side but lead by example,” Honeycutt says. “But he’ll speak up a lot more now in his own way or say something to guys. I think he knows he wants to win. He knows what we’re trying to do. And he wants to do anything he can to help accomplish that.”