Use Visualization to Practice Skills
For almost two months, the shutdown has kept baseball and softball players off the field and away from their teammates.
Without having access to baseball facilities, many players are having difficulty staying actively engaged in baseball or softball.
It’s not so easy to work on throwing strikes without the ability to stand on the mound and throw to a catcher. And you can’t work on your fielding without another person throwing you ground balls or hitting balls in your direction.
You may feel helpless and uneasy being forced to stay at home without the ability practice in the same manner as before the coronavirus.
When you feel trapped at home without proper facilities or equipment, you may see no way to further hone your baseball or softball skills without being on the practice field.
During this shutdown, you may be limited in terms of physical practice but the door to mental practice is wide open. One of the most effective mental strategies to simulate game conditions is visualization.
Visualization is an effective strategy to experience successful scenarios in your mind and stay in peak condition mentally.
If you are a pitcher, you can visualize:
- Pitching with proper mechanics
- Being confident on the mound
- Throwing with accuracy using your entire arsenal of pitches
- Being effective in pressure situations such as, seeing yourself pitching your way out of a jam in the later innings of a game
As a hitter, you can visualize:
- Making solid contact when facing a dominant power pitcher
- Breaking out of a slump
- Being relaxed and confident in the batter’s box
- Hitting a walk-off single when the game is on the line
In the field, you can visualize:
- Re-focusing after an error
- Throwing out a speedy runner with a strong, accurate throw
- Feeling calm and focused late in the game
- Experiencing positive emotions after making a spectacular play
As the shutdown continues, working on your mental game will help you stay engaged in the game and develop the confidence necessary to play your best ball.
Staying mentally in shape is the focus of 18-year-old pitching prospect Alex Santos as the 2020 MLB First-Year Player Draft approaches. Listed as the No. 56 draft prospect by MLB.com, Santos is staying strong mentally and physically.
SANTOS: “I like to model the mental part of the game on Max Scherzer and Marcus Stroman. I believe they have an aggressive attitude once they get on the mound. Like those guys, I feel like I am untouchable when I go out there.”
Working on your mental game helps to keep you in peak mental shape and builds strong confidence to be on top of your game when play resumes.
Getting into Mental Game Shape
Do 15 minutes of visualization per day. Pick one part of your baseball or softball game and focus your attention on that part of your game for 3-4 days.
Along with your images, sensations, and feelings, feel the emotion of the situation. The more time you dedicate to visualization, the quicker you will get mentally in shape.
Get The Mental Edge For Baseball and Softball Players!
Do you (or your athletes) lack full confidence in your skills when you step on the field as if your game disappears at game time?
Do you lose composure easily after you make your first error of time game?
Do you feel embarrassed after striking out and carry this with you for longer than one inning?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, check out The Mental Edge For Baseball And Softball Players!
Boost your (or your athletes mental) toughness! Learn 8 mental toughness lessons to help ball players improve confidence, focus and composure.
Download your copy TODAY and start boosting your mental toughness!
What are baseball mental game customers saying?
“Dr. Cohn, I’ve been tearing it up lately!!! Every single thing you taught me works perfectly in every situation I’ve been in. I’ve been so into every game and focusing on the process and not the outcomes and everything falls right into place . In the playoffs I’m 5-7 with 2 run home runs and 5 RBIs. I feel great at the plate and focusing is a breeze now. I just wanted to thank you for everything and keep you posted with how everything was going.”
~Jalen Phillips, College Baseball Player
“With your help, I have been able to deal with stress and pressure of the game of baseball more efficiently. I have learned to help me keep my focus and disregard negative thoughts and energies. This process focus will keep me from getting my head in the way of my performance, from working against myself. Thanks for your help. I look forward to speaking with you again.”
~Keith Donnell, college baseball player
“Thank you very much for taking the time to speak with our team. It was greatly appreciated and really helped a lot. I found myself implementing your teachings in our first practice right after you left. I really enjoyed the way you implemented already known ideas, but gave us a different way of viewing it. Thank you.”
~Amber Prosser, Clark College Softball
Boost Your Self-Confidence And Focus With Expert Mental Game Coaching!
Master mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn can help you overcome your mental game issues with personal coaching.
You can work with Dr. Patrick Cohn himself in Orlando, Florida or via Skype, FaceTime, or telephone. Call us toll free at 888-742-7225 or contact us for more information about the different coaching programs we offer!
What are our mental coaching students saying?
“As a college softball coach I experience great pleasure in helping youth league coaches develop their young players. As reversal of that process, I, as the student, look to experts like yourself to give me the “mechanics” of sports psychology so that I may better impart my knowledge to the players and coaches. Your contribution spreads like wildfire and helps hundreds of youngsters as well as us “oldies.” Thanks for your contribution–it means a lot.”
~Tom Moore, College Softball Coach
“A quick note to let you know how effective your programs worked for my son who is 17 and plays varsity baseball in VA. In late 2009, I ordered the Relaxed Athlete program for my son because I saw he was pressing too hard at the plate and had disappointing results for the 2009 season. Thanks to your programs, my son now has a completely new approach to the game of baseball (and school) and it’s more fun for him now. He made all-district player at his position and hit .443 this season. A complete 180 degree turn around from last year.”
~Mark M., sports parent
“Dr. Cohn has put together a program that has enabled myself and our players to approach the mental game in a systematic way that is easy to use and apply. Our awareness level has greatly increased.”
~Marty Hunter, Head Baseball Coach George Fox University
Disclaimer
*Testimonials found on this site are examples of what we have done for other clients, and what some of our clients have said about us. However, we cannot guarantee the results in any case. Your results may vary and every situation is different. No compensation was provided for these testimonials.
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