Mentally tough athletes control their anger!!!
Three years ago a young man was recommended to the program I conduct for college baseball players who aspire to play professional ball. We work every detail of an individual’s game; strength, speed, and all “skills”; throw, hit, run, catch, with an emphasis on the mental game. In addition to teaching baseball, I am also a strength and conditioning coach; a speed coach, but MOST importantly a mental toughness trainer. At the upper levels; college and pro; EVERYTHING is ESPECIALLY mental; ALL mental; ALL the time.
Sounds like a clever play on words?
It’s not.
Baseball is ALL mental. Success in baseball is even more so; ALL ALL ALL mental.
Standard practice is that I invite the player in for an “evaluation” before we begin working.
It’s pretty simple. I need to see the player in order to ascertain “what” and “how” to do the work.
I need to formulate a “plan”.
First things first . We begin with defensive skills; “catch and throw” … then hit.
Hitting in my opinion … especially when you’re teaching and trying to “keep it simple stupid” for the student athlete is three things; (1 – mental (2- mental (3 – mental. Ooops!!! My mistake. I meant five things: (1 – mental (2 – mental (3 – mental and then … (4 – the swing and finally (5 – the pitch.
In terms of the evaluating the swing mechanics I just want to see if the player does the fundamental things correctly; feet, head, hands.
The “evaluation” is simple: I sit behind an “L” screen, flip balls, and watch.
This player was heading into his sophomore year in college and certainly had decent enough “beginner level” college skills that would be appropriate for a freshman. He had decent balance, appeared to “track” the ball well and had “okay” hands with some fairly typical “freshman” level things to work on. He rolled over the ball occasionally, tried to “lift” too much, etc., etc. However, over all, he possessed a lot of potential and had one huge “plus”. He was as strong as the proverbial ox. Although only about six feet, he was incredibly strong in his upper body; his hands, forearms, and shoulders. He has the strength to literally walk up to the plate, sit in a chair … swing with just his hands and still get a hit; an extra base hit at that.
He doesn’t hit. He PUNISHES the ball. You can tell by the “sound”.
Great.
Only one problem but it was a big one. He didn’t speak English.
No, he wasn’t Hispanic or Japanese or anything like that.
The problem was that he spoke “dugout” when he hit … and ONLY dugout.
Never heard of “dugout”? It’s simple. It’s @#*!!@#%^#%^^{>!#.
I’m sure you get the picture (and can hear the soundtrack as well).
I told him I would take him into the program but that for three sessions he was to show up with no equipment; especially not his bat and that we were going to “work out” at the coffee shop.
“You’re kidding!!!” he responded.
“Not,” I replied.
We went for coffee and talked … I’m not exaggerating … three times … for three full hours … during which I told him that, unless he learned to control his emotions; particularly of course his temper … that he had absolutely no shot whatsoever of succeeding in college baseball; let alone professional baseball.
Again; bseball is all mental. Am I going too fast? Want me to spell it? It is a minimum (probably more) of 90% preparation and adjustment and a maximum (probably less) 10% performance or (better word): “execution” of a skill.
When a player is able to grasp this “concept” ... there is literally no failure. That’s right; NO FAILURE!!! THERE IS ONLY INFORMATION WHICH YOU USE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AND SUCCEED. It is always a “process” of “getting better”. You cannot fail. SUCCESS IS INEVITABLE!!!
“Kaizen”; the Japanese word for continuous improvement.
And just what is the process? Simple … you “prepare” for correct execution, you “adjust” when you do not execute correctly.
And just what is success in hitting? What is correct execution? Believe it or not, it is NOT hits (that comes with the territory but it is NOT the goal).
The goal is to “square up the inside half of the ball deep in the zone.”
If this is your approach, then there is no failure, just the process of success.
Don’t believe me? Go out and get my friend Steve Springer’s incredible tapes; “Quality at Bats”.
Get beat?
Okay … two choices: (a – hang your head, throw your helmet, kick dirt … then the water cooler, break the bat over your knee, curse and flail the air and scream at the pitcher, your teammates, and anyone within a square mile range OR … (b – analyze “why and how” you got beat.
Did …?
… you beat yourself with your swing …
Did you see the ball? Were you balanced? Did you “execute” your swing mechanics properly?
No?
Okay. Analyze why and “fix it” because … (here’s the key) … there’s always another game, another pitch, another at bat.
Did … ?
… the pitch “beat” you … fastball, curveball, changeup, slider, etc.?
Yes?
Okay. Again: analyze why and “fix it” because … (again; here’s the key) … there’s always going to be another game, pitch, at bat.
Always.
Until you quit playing the game there’s always going to be another … (big word) … “opportunity” for success and the more you apply this “process” the better you get. It’s inevitable.
Numbers? Statistics? I think anyone can easily see that the numbers will follow. Again; it’s inevitable.
I always pose a trick question at clinics. I tell the kids that I once had a double header where I went 0 for 7 and I thought it was one of the best days of the year.
How is that possible?
It is because I succeeded in accomplishing the goal of squaring the inside half of the ball up deep in the zone … seven times. I hit the ball hard every single time.
I was thrilled. If I keep doing that, I’m going to have other doubleheaders where I’ll be 7 for 7. Inevitable.
(PS. By the way, every single one of my at bats moved runners and we won both games. Translation: I helped my team win two games and after all … isn’t that the goal?)
Gradually this player started to “get it”. He learned to breathe. (Check out Alan Jaeger’s “Breathe” wrist bands). He learned a little mental drill I call “yellow light, red light, green light” wherein he saw his emotions starting to soar (yellow light) and held them “in check” (red light) and was able to move forward with productive performance execution (green light).
He became a hitter … mentally. Wow!!! Now there’s some success. Big time!!!
Oh, and by the way … statistics? He hit over .400 his junior year, made first string all-conference, has been moved into the cleanup spot in his college lineup for his senior year, starting to hit for power, and is looking realistically at pro tryout events.
Not bad; especially for a former dirt and water cooler kicker, batting helmet thrower, bat breaking maniac.
That guy? Mr. Hyde? (As in Jekyll and Hyde) He’s gone … now we have a baseball player. Now we have a hitter.
Does this sound like you? Are you struggling with anger management?
Does any of this sound familiar? Does this profile of outbursts of temper and anger fit you? Or a player on your team? Is it affecting your game? Frankly both of us know that it HAS TO affect your game. It’s called “carry over” to the NEXT at bat … or defensive opportunity. We humans don’t THINK when we are in rage and an athlete NEEDS TO THINK; needs to make adjustments in order to succeed at the NEXT opportunity for success. If you are struggling with anger or any kind of a performance issue that just isn’t responding to instruction and hard work, then call me now and let’s fix it NOW. I’ve got a systematic process that takes care of any interference you have to your ultimate performance potential that you have seen short bursts of…and want to see it show up consistently! Call me or email me right now while you’re thinking of it!
GOT A QUESTION? NEED AN ANSWER?
I work to address a broad range of issues in the articles and give you all the best information possible. If you have a question or feel you would benefit by advice or counseling, give me a call.
I realize that sometimes it is difficult to ask for help; especially with mental skills. However, all of us can improve something with our game or field of endeavor.
Believe me … at the highest levels of performance which you all aspire to … mental skills are the MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR GAME. Players and parents sometimes hesitate to address and pursue their mental game for they fear that it means that you are "broken". Nothing could be further from the truth. Every major league team has a mental skills coach. Mental skills can easily make a MINIMUM of a 5 - 10% upgrade in your game and get you on track to perform at your bes CONSISTENTLY. Fixing mechanical skills or getting bigger stronger faster without being tough mentally simply DOES NOT WORK!!!
Sometimes we need help but don’t know who to ask … or how. Contact me and I can explain all our programs including sports mental toughness programs which can easily improve your own mental game or that of your son/daughter or the players you coach.
I work with athletes and their families at every level of performance from all over the world using ZOOM over the internet!!!
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Karl Avdek, Founder, GC-GP-GH