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Mental Keys To Improving Performance
Mental Keys
Our Goal: Confidence
Confidence is characterized by…
- Strong, Positive thoughts and images running through your head
- Envisioning yourself playing well
- The way you move, exuding confidence, no rushed or awkward movements, gestures or speech
This results in positive expectations that keep you feeling confident and looking forward to their next performance.
When you are playing well you are free of…
- Fear
- Tension
- Worry
- Doubt
- Stress
These are negative emotions that slow progress toward your goal.
Take responsibility for your Mental game
Removing the obstacles you put in your way. Obstacles that keep you from becoming confident
- Most athletes leave their thinking to chance
- Most athlete’s thinking is result oriented
- Negative emotions seem natural when struggling, but remember, they block your path to performance.
- All of these emotions are a product of your own thinking. You can learn to control your thoughts.
“ You can’t always control what happens to you, but you can control your reaction to it”
“Attitude is a decision”
1. Have a clearly defined mission
- Why do you play the game?
- What type of player do you want to be?
- What do you want to accomplish?
Importance of defining your mission
- It fuels intensity
- Provides direction and purpose to practices and games
- It helps you deal with adversity
2. Play the game one pitch at a time
- Be in control of yourself
- Be aware of what’s going on inside
- Have a plan or purpose with each pitch and commit to it
- Trust yourself– let yourself perform
3. Focus on the process rather than the outcome
- Control and focus on the things you can control
4. Develop your mental skills: your go to when the pressure is on
This includes:
- Deep Breath
- Mental Imagery
- Self talk
- Pre-performance routines
- Daily goal setting
