How to Trust in your Skills
“Try to do less” sounds like a phrase for the lazy.
In baseball, athletes are always trying harder in training… spending more time in the batting cages, taking extra fielding practice, expanding pitching repertoires improving accuracy on throws, working on their conditioning, increasing strength and flexibility, etc.
Trying harder pays off, doesn’t it? In most cases, working harder to improve absolutely pays dividends but, sometimes, trying harder is counterproductive.
When trying too hard or trying to do too much in games, performance is actually impeded. This counter-productive effect happens for two main reasons:
- You focus on outcomes more. For example, instead of focusing on a pitch and making contact, you are focused on hitting a homerun. This slight change in focus can alter your mechanics just enough, causing you to chase pitches or swing late.
- You begin to over-think rather than trust your ability to perform. When you have trust in your game, you see the ball and instinctively react. When you over-think, you think… see the ball… think… then try to react. When you overthink, your judgment is impaired and so is your play on the field.
For example, the Philadelphia Phillies made a huge splash in the off-season acquiring some big-name talent through trades and free agency. Expectations were high for the Phillies. It seemed the Phillies were all in for 2019. The attitude of the organization appeared to be “World Series or Bust”.
To the organization’s dismay, the team has under performed throughout the season. Heading into the last third of the season, the Phillies are battling to make the playoffs.
With expectations so high, the pressure to perform has impeded play on the field. Many of the Phillies players are trying too hard or pressing. Hitters are going for the fences. Pitchers are trying to throw a little harder. Trying too hard has caused the Phillies players to tighten up, play anxious and has thrown off their focus. The result is under-performance.
Phillies All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto admitted his hitting woes have been caused by trying to do too much at the plate. Realmuto decided to change his approach at the plate and his production increased as a result.
REALMUTO: “I’m honestly just trying to do less up there [at the plate], not trying to do too much, get better pitches to hit, try not to chase out of the zone. For me, when I get in trouble is when I try to do too much, try to hit for power. When I just let it come to me and feel a little more relaxed at the plate, it works out better for me.”
Trying to do too much not only leads to extra tension, it causes you to try to exert too much control over what you are attempting to do.
Trust is the opposite. Trust is switching your mind to autopilot and allowing you body to do want you trained it to do.
When you learn to compete with trust, your results will be outstanding.
How to Play with Trust
- Work on your game in practice and switch to trust mode when you play. Remind yourself that all your practice is complete.
- Think about playing on autopilot, not by technique. Let go of thinking too much about your work in the cage or bullpen.
- Staying present and focus on the pitch itself and not on the results. Remember that you don’t need to be perfect, just effective.
- Get the job done. Don’t stress about how it looks or feels to you. Save that for the next practice.
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.
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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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