Do You Become Deeply Discouraged When in a Funk?
Sports are all about numbers. When the numbers are in your favor, confidence is high. Can you recall a time when your batting average was steadily rising? You were probably on top of the world and fully confident you could get on base against any pitcher.
Conversely, surely there were times when your batting average was dropping. You probably thought you would never get a base hit. Possibly your timing was off, your mechanics were all out of whack, or you swung late at pitches right over the plate. This leads to frustration, reducing your motivation to find a way out.
The way out of a performance funk is to maintain relatively high levels of motivation and confidence.
New York Yankees pitcher Marcus Stroman had a rough start to the 2025 MLB season. In three early-season starts, Stroman’s ERA was 11.57, more than triple his career average. After three starts, Stroman landed on the injured list with left knee inflammation. Stroman struggled in his three rehab starts with a 6.97 ERA in Double-A.
Yet Stroman has never wavered in his thinking about returning to his previous high level of play and being a significant contributor to the Yankees’ championship goal. Stroman points to past instances of overcoming adversity, such as bouncing back from knee surgery in 2015.
STROMAN: “I tore my ACL and made it back in five months. So I don’t do doubt. So I knew I’d be back at some point, it was just a matter of when.”
In his fourth start of the 2025 season, Stroman looked much sharper, giving up only three hits and one run in five innings.
STROMAN: “I just feel like I’ve done a really good job putting my body and my mechanics in a better position… It’s been a process, but yeah, I feel good. I feel like this was a good building block to the next start.”
Stroman is a good example of how performance funks are temporary if you respond to them effectively. When you overcome the doubts that hold you back, you will be able to weather the lows and steadily climb back to form.
6 Ways to Break Through a Performance Slump in Baseball
Every ballplayer hits a rough patch. A time when hits don’t drop, pitches miss spots, or errors pile up. It can feel like you’ll never get back to your best. But you can turn things around. Here’s how to break through a performance slump and get your game back on track.
1. Don’t Take It Personally
Slumps happen to everyone. Even Hall of Famers go through cold streaks.
When you start thinking, “Why does this only happen to me?” you make the slump feel personal. That leads to frustration, self-doubt, and negative energy.
Remember: a slump isn’t a sign you’re a bad player. It’s a normal part of the game. It doesn’t define you. Separating your identity from your performance is key to staying confident and positive.
2. Focus on Solutions
When you’re in a slump, it’s easy to obsess over what’s going wrong. But constantly thinking about problems makes them feel bigger.
Instead, focus on what you can do to get better. What adjustments can you make? Can you change your timing, improve your swing path, or refine your mental approach?
Working toward solutions gives you a sense of control. It makes you feel empowered and motivated. Taking action is the first step to break through a performance slump.
3. Take a Break from Stats
When you’re struggling, checking your batting average or ERA every day only adds stress. Numbers go up and down. They don’t tell the whole story.
Focusing too much on stats ties your emotions to things you can’t fully control. Instead, concentrate on your process. Are you sticking to your hitting plan? Are you executing pitches with focus?
When you prioritize your plan over the numbers, you’ll perform more freely and confidently.
4. Go Back to the Basics
Under pressure, it’s easy to overcomplicate your game. You start tinkering with every detail, which only makes things worse.
Return to the fundamentals. Focus on seeing the ball. Stay balanced in your stance. Smooth out your throwing mechanics.
When you master the basics again, your confidence will grow. You’ll clear the mental clutter and regain your rhythm.
5. Practice with Purpose
Don’t just show up to practice. Have a clear goal every time.
What do you want to accomplish today? Maybe you want to drive the ball up the middle, work on off-speed pitches, or improve your first step in the field.
When you practice with purpose, you stay locked in. You make every rep count. Purposeful practice helps you build momentum to break through a performance slump faster.
6. Talk It Out
Bottling up frustration only makes it worse. When you keep your emotions inside, the slump feels heavier and more isolating.
Talking to someone you trust—your coach, a teammate, or a Mental Game Coach—can ease the pressure. Sharing what you’re feeling brings relief and helps you see new solutions.
You’re not alone. The right conversation can spark a fresh perspective and renew your confidence.
Come Back Stronger
Slumps are tough, but they don’t have to last forever. Don’t take them personally, focus on solutions, let go of the stats, go back to basics, practice with purpose, and talk it out.
Use these strategies to break through a performance slump and come back stronger than ever.
Remember: every player struggles at times. Champions find a way to bounce back. You can too.
Related Sports Psychology Articles
- How to Overcome Slumps in Baseball
- How to Stay Focused During Games
- What is the Trust the Process Mindset?
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