Players
and
Mental Discipline
So you want to be a Softball Player.
First you have to consider one big question.
Why do you want to play or Why are you playing?
Most players really have fun playing this game.
Some can't think of playing anything else.
Some want to continue playing in college.
You all have different reasons for playing, but if you
are going to spend all this time at practices and games, you might as well
develop an attitude to get better.
This is where your coach cannot help you !
This is where your parents cannot help you !
This is where your team mates cannot help you !
This is where you must help yourself
Your dedication comes from within.
You cannot become the best you can be if you find excuses not to improve.
You cannot improve if you find excuses not to practice at home.
You cannot improve if you do or can not honestly evaluate your mistakes,
take responsibility for your own deficiencies and work to improve them.
We have seen the "Dedicated" players on he field, then as soon as the
game or practice is over, the thought of softball never enters their minds.
We are not saying that you should do nothing but think softball, we
all have many other interests and responsibilities, but, you must train
your mind and make the time to do your softball related homework as well
as your school work.
As stated before, preparation for a game begins the night before.
Reviewing batting mechanics, fielding mechanics, situations and the
like, in front of a mirror, in your back yard and IN YOUR MIND.
As long as you convince your brain that you can do things right
you will be able to do them right.
The more you practice at home the more you will convince your mind
you can do these things.
Then once you get to the playing field you will be less stressed and
more at ease.
When you are at ease you play better.
Did you ever wonder how the really good players always seem to never
get rattled?
Is it because they have no emotions ?
NO
It is because they take the time to practice at home, they think of
their mechanics over and over, they become relaxed and confident and sure
of themselves.
They combat the stress at home or before the game, they do not wait
until the situation presents itself like most players do.
When you wait for the situation to arise then try to combat it, you
have uncertanty, fear of failing and some panic.
Then it is too late to deal with it and that is when the mistakes are
made.
The dedicated players will find ways to recognize when they are getting
stressed out and find a simple way to ease that stress quickly.
All players make errors but we have all seen players get so down on
themselves they get moody, won't talk to others, throw things, cry etc.
They very rarely let it go during that game and will usually be so set
on making up for the mistake they unwittingly go into a panic when they
are called upon to perform again and will make more mistakes.
A way to combat this situation is the bubble philosophy we firmly believe
in.
When you are in position, you have a bubble around you where your head
is clear and ready to react.
You are not thinking of anything but the next pitch and where you are
going to throw the ball if it comes to you.
After the pitch or play, step out of your bubble, glance around you,
think about what you did wrong if you made an error, then say good bye
to the error for ever.
Step back into your bubble take a deep breath and loosen yourself up
again.
Get on the balls of your feet, stay loose and get ready to react to
the next pitch.
Nothing is worse for a team than the player who says, I am harder on
myself than anyone else could be during a game.
This brings your teammates down with you because they are spending
too much time trying to get you over your madness and they should be trying
to keep themselves focused.
Yes, you can be hard on yourself and expect more of yourself, but once
you become carried away with it, you tear your team down.
After the game admonish yourself as mush as you want, but review in
your mind over and over the right way to make the play.
You do not throw your tantrums during the game.
Another particular item that really upsets us are the players, knowing
we have games the next day, who stay out late with friends, have all night
slumber parties etc, and show up to the game like zombies and have no desire
to move.
This is in our opinion is very self centered and inconsiderate to your
team mates.
Many of these girls prepared themselves and are ready to play and you
show up still asleep, joking how you stayed up all night and you are too
tired to play.
Honestly, girls have done that on our team before and have found themselves
cut or suspended from the team that very day.
Bottom line is you are only as good as your own personal
drive and determination.
To quote one of the players on the Swiss National Softball
Team
"The player who thinks she may lose, has already lost.'
And that is so very true
You must make the committment to yourself to be the very
best you can be.
Mental Discipline, Dedication and Determination, we feel,
is 90% of the player.
We will add more in time.
If you have anything you may feel would be good to add
here, E-Mail it to me and we will ad it.
Click Below to E-Mail me
