Where Should The Hitters Focus Be?
Hitting in baseball requires a strong mental game.
When you step into the batter’s box, you need to tune out your thoughts and rely more on your instincts.
Many players over-think their performance at the plate.
Thinking too much in the batter’s box will interfere with fluid mechanics and slow down your reaction time.
Many hitters focus on irrelevant stuff during hitting, such as slumps, poor umpiring, and dominating pitchers.
These are just distractions and can hurt your hitting performance.
Sometimes batters focus too much on their technique during the at-bat.
Batters who are stuck in a practice mindset in games can’t perform as well as they do in the cage.
So what should a hitter be focusing on during an at-bat?
Just hitting!
That means your execution of the at-bat.
Top hitters don’t think themselves into hitting.
The best hitters rely on the instincts they have developed through repetition in practice, which frees up their mind to just react.
Second baseman Johnny Giavotella, 26, is battling for a spot on the Kansas City Royals’ big league roster and has a knack for hitting. Giavotella has batted .317 in his three years with Triple-A Omaha.
When he’s confident in his mechanics, he free to see the ball well.
Giavotella had a tremendous Spring Training for the Royals hitting .341 in 26 games.
“I’m feeling good, I feel confident in my mechanics at the plate. I’m seeing the ball well and having good at-bats. Hitting is always something I take pride in, something that I feel is my strength and I enjoy getting in the box anytime.”
3 Benefits of Trusting Your Mechanics and Relying on Instincts:
- Increased confidence – When you have sufficiently worked on your mechanics in practice, you will feel more confident during your plate appearances.
- Seeing the ball better – When you are no longer over-thinking mechanics in the batter box, your attention can be directed towards picking up the ball more clearly.
- Enjoying opportunities to hit – When not grinding on your mechanics in the batting cage, you can enjoy playing instead of dreading your next plate appearance.
It’s hard to trust your mechanics in games when you constantly make changes or are re-building your swing.
You should develop solid mechanics through consistent repetition in practice focusing on one method.
You also want to develop a consistent at-bat routine to mentally prepare yourself for the current pitch and enter your “concentration zone” where you only focus on the relevant stuff to execute.
Want to improve your mental game for baseball the fastest way possible?
Learn more about our mental coaching for baseball or 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!
One-on-one mental game coaching with Dr. Cohn.
What are our students saying?
“Your Contribution Helps 100s of Players”
“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
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!
What are mental game customers saying?
“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
Get Our Weekly Mental Game Tips!
Learn 6 Costly Mental Game Mistakes Baseball
And Softball Players Make While Batting
Get instant access to a Mental Game of Baseball and Softball FREE report. Discover if you are making one or more of these “costly” mental game errors at the plate!
You’ll discover:
- How your mind can be your best or worst asset during batting.
- If you are using your mind effectively to get a hit.
- A critical mental error that can erase your confidence at the plate!
- How to prepare your mind using an at-bat routine.
I’ll also notify you when we have other baseball or softball mental game tips to boost your performance! Please enter your first name, primary email, and role in baseball/softball below to instantly receive your 100% FREE mental game report:
© 2016 Peak Performance Sports, LLC | 888-742-7225 | Baseball and Softball Confidence
Mental Game of Baseball Success Stories
“With your help, I have been able to deal with stress and pressure of the game of baseball more efficiently. I have learned what it means to focus on the process 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.
“I currently play NCAA Division 1 Baseball, and even my coaches have noticed a change in the way that I approach the game; my attitude and confidence at the plate. Thank you for helping in my continuing goal to mental toughness.”
~Tylor Prudhomme, College Baseball Player
Leave a Reply