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Mental training for softball players is very important. Too many softball players suffer from a lack of confidence on the field, which affects their ability to play their best.
Mental skills training should be a part of a weekly regimen to help build confidence, mental toughness and a great work ethic. In this article, learn two techniques in this article that can be used team-wide or for the individual.
Mental Training for Softball Players: Is It Actually Important?
We’ve all been there: up to the plate in an important situation, and the pressure is palpable. How is a player supposed to perform under these conditions, staying fluid, relaxed and in-control?
Well, it’s tough.
A Fluid Mind is Key For Softball Players
The concept of a fluid mind, or a “mind like water” is crucial for producing consistently good performances on the field. What this means is that the mind isn’t stopping on any one thing, but rather living moment-to-moment and reacting to the present task at hand. Mental training for softball players helps to build this “fluid mind” state, where a player can just react and play the way they practice.
What a Fluid Mind Means
Athletes need to stay present. Being present means to not allow the mind to stay in the past (where all our failures and expectations live), nor in the future (where negative and positive consequences, expectations and pressure lives). If an athlete remains present, he or she can separate from the potential negatives that will accompany failure, as well as the things she wants to accomplish.
One of the hardest things to do in sports is to not “try harder” when we see the trophy, the scholarship, the glory and spoils of victory right in front of us.
These high-pressure, I’m so close type moments force an athletes motions to become less natural and forced as they try to finish it off and get the outcome they want.
Softball Players Can’t Control Most Outcomes.
Outcomes are very much beyond the control of softball players. Hit the ball hard? Sometimes it’s hit right at a fielder. Make a great pitch? Sometimes the hitter dinks a blooper into the outfield for a hit.
Few outcomes are certain even when the right play is made, a good swing is put on the ball, and a great pitch is made. Softball is team sport with lots of chance and luck.
Softball players need to redirect focus on a number of things to be at their best, but we’ll cover two big ones today:
- Staying present
- Not dwelling on outcomes by thinking in percentages
Thinking in percentages is a great way to approach softball, because it makes bad luck a lot less frustrating.
Mental Training Strategy for Softball: Think in Percentages
Thinking in percentages means that instead of I hit the ball hard; I deserved a hit! we shift our thinking to a percentage basis:
- When I hit the ball hard, I’ll get a hit 60% of the time, but the other 40% the ball will get caught
- When I make a good pitch, I’ll get an out 80% of the time, but the other 20%, a blooper or slow roller will find a hole and become a hit
- When I play well, we’ll win 70% of the time, but even when I have a great game, we won’t win 100% of the time.
This percentage-based thinking much more accurately reflects the luck that is involved in softball:
- Good pitches sometimes still get hit for singles, doubles, triples, and home runs
- We can play great and still lose
- We can play poorly and still win
- Sometimes we get screwed over by bad calls by umpires, but sometimes bad calls go our way
- Hitting the ball hard means we get more hits, but not a hit every time. Sometimes we hit line drives right at a fielder.
Watch the video above for more insight into percentage-based thinking. Mental training for softball players can take on a lot of different forms, but this is a great technique to try.
If you want more great insight into physical training–which is also very important–check out this article on exercises to increase batting power.
Want to Take the Next Step as an Athlete?
The mental game of softball is very, very important. If you want an engaging way to learn more mental skills that will help you or your team improve, take my online course, The Resolute Athlete.
The Resolute Athlete is a first-of-its-kind video course that will teach any athlete how to maximize her ability on the field by improving her mindset, approach to failure, pressure, routine, professionalism, criticism, coaching, and more.
Go here to enroll or learn more.
Mental Training for Softball Players FAQ
Read on for common questions and answers.
How do you become more mentally tough in softball?
Mental toughness in softball is a combination of having experience, confidence, and great preparation. And, it’s also important to remember how much luck is involved in the game, and how you have to ride out slumps over time. Softball has lots of ups and downs, so staying level-headed is very important. Mental toughness is built through hard work and discipline, and coaches who can push you to be your best play a big role in building it.
What is mental skills training in softball?
Mental skills training is a combination of things:
1. Dedicated mental activities that help you understand the game and your own performances
2. Exercises like meditation, visualization and controlled breathing can help you improve your game
3. Being pushed by coaches who want to see you succeed
4. Being dedicated, disciplined and regimented with your preparation for games and your practice habits
