Refocusing When Distracted
Do distractions cause you to become sidetracked during baseball or softball games? Are you anxious about what the outcome of the game might be? Do you tense up and put more pressure yourself to win?
If you said yes, then you focus too much on results and not enough on the process.
You should learn when and how to refocus your mind on what’s important.
Many baseball and softball players forget that winning comes from taking care of the process and executing one pitch at a time.
This is an important lesson I teach…
To get a hit or to get an out, you must pay attention to task-relevant cues.
This simple concept is easy to forget when you care too much about winning or what winning means.
“Don’t strike out,” “Don’t walk this hitter,” “Don’t miss this pop up ball” are examples of what you might say to yourself with a result–focus.
A result-focus–worry about the consequences of your actions–does not help you perform; it only creates tension and leads to worry. This is when you have to refocus your mind on the current pitch.
How do you stay focused on the process?
Focusing on the process means knowing what performance cues are in baseball and keeping your mind focused on those task-relevant cues. You need to define what is relevant to performing the task.
In baseball, the batter has specific cues for each task he must attend to.
Some of the task-relevant cues for a hitter are:
- Studying the pitcher
- Knowing the count
- Setting up in the batter’s box
- Visualizing success
- Feeling confident
- Focusing on the ball as the pitcher releases it
If your mind wanders off task, that means you are not “on-task” and you are too focused on results or some other distraction.
It’s OK if your mind wanders momentarily, but you want to be able to catch yourself and refocus on the current pitch as soon as possible.
In this example, I would ask the baseball player to stop his at-bat routine, clear his mind, and restart his routine from the beginning.
To improve your mental game for baseball or softball, define the cues that are relevant to baseball execution and success–one pitch at a time.
Also, know when you get off-task, and be able to stop and refocus on the task when you wander to results or are distracted!
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 mental coaching students saying?
“I Can Deal With Stress and Pressure”
“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
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?
“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
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
“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
“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, parents and coaches 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
Leave a Reply