How to Work Through Baseball Anxieties
Would you describe yourself as an “anxious” athlete? Do you also experience a great deal of anxiety in your personal life?
For many ball players, anxiety has a profound effect on their personal life and competitive life.
Athletes today feel overwhelmed by the circumstances surrounding the coronavirus. They experience a lot of anxiety during softball or baseball games.
Many players, coaches and parents from our Softball and Baseball Mental Toughness Survey identify anxiety as a major roadblock to consistent play on the field.
For instance, one player asked, “I tend to fall apart when the pressure is on. What are ways to relax and clear your head at pivotal moments in games?”
We receive similar questions frequently regarding anxiety. Recently, many players are experiencing a similar anxiety response dealing with the uncertain circumstances of the coronavirus:
“I have been a nervous wreck while being stuck at home. I have no idea what to do at home or why do anything if the season might be cancelled?”
The anxiety you experience is rooted in your focus on the future outcomes….
- What might happen in an at-bat?
- What might happen if I walk the bases loaded?
- What might happen if I make another throwing error?
More specifically, you play out possible scenarios in your head: “If I throw another wild pitch, my coach will lose faith in me and will replace me as the closer. If that happens, I may never earn a college scholarship.”
Or “If I strike out with the bases loaded, I will lose the game for my team and my teammates will be mad at me. My coach will probably bench me too.”
When you feel high anxiety, it is impossible to focus on trusting your pitch or swing. The tension in your muscles affects the fluidity in your mechanics and impedes performance.
The anxiety you feel due to the coronavirus is similar. When you focus on all the uncertain outcomes, anxiety increases…
What if my season is cancelled? Will I be able to play in college next year? How long will it take for my swing to feel right?
When you think about all the possible outcomes, the anxiety becomes overwhelming and will prevent you from putting effort into staying in game shape at home. Managing anxiety is critical to be on top of your game.
You can attack anxiety in two ways: (1) Focus on the process or what you can do right at this moment and (2) learn relaxation strategies to calm your mind and body.
Managing anxiety is an aspect of performance Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers has paid particular attention to over the past few years.
DEVERS: “[Anxiousness] is something I’ve been working on since I’ve been here. I’ve been working with previous people in the organization that led me to some of my breathing techniques that I do now. But it’s all about controlling myself. I know it. It’s still there and I’m still working on it. But I have gotten much better at it.”
Managing anxiety is a critical component of peak performance.
Learning to relax will help you minimize distractions, keep you immersed in the moment and give you the confidence necessary to play BIG in BIG moments.
Managing Your Anxiety Level
Learn how to use relaxation strategies during games, such as deep breathing, can give you confidence in your ability to maintain your poise under stress.
Progressive relaxation is a relaxation technique that will help to relax your body. And relaxing your body, can help you relax your mind and ease anxiety.
In addition, stay focused on your daily practice or training program. You will play ball again, it’s just a matter of time.
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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