Tips for How to Stay Focused in Softball
The Mental Game of Softball: Strategies for Staying Focused
Owning good softball training nets and having a good conditioning regimen are vital for success. But the mental game is vital, too. An inability to focus can be detrimental to how you play, especially in high-pressure situations. There are many great softball athletes from a physical standpoint - which means mental skills can often be the deciding factor in who plays and who wins. Therefore, you should be mentally prepared when you step onto a softball field. Use these Bownet® strategies for focusing in softball, and always be on your A-game.
Distractions and Staying Present
Many potential distractions can pull your attention from the play at hand. Maybe the fans are being rowdy. Perhaps you have a big test coming up at school that you can't stop thinking about. Or a grounder just took a bad hop that led to you making an error.
While there are many things you can't control in softball, you can control how you respond to them. Dwelling on what just happened or looking too far ahead are the easiest ways to mentally unravel and let bad things compound. Here are some ways you can focus, or refocus from a distraction:
1. Have a Routine
Coming up with a routine to perform can help you move on to the next play. Maybe it involves taking a few deep breaths, snapping a hair tie on your wrist or positively talking with a teammate. You can have the same refocusing activity each time or different ones for different situations. The important thing is that you can do it in the 15-20 seconds between each play.
2. Self-Talk
Even if it's not out loud, everyone talks to themselves during a game - and it can have a big effect, both good and bad. Practicing self-talk for softball is a way to focus your thoughts. The keys to good self-talk are to be positive, honest and specific. For example, after a good fielding play, tell yourself, "great job" or "perfect." Conversely, if you just threw a bad curveball, instead of saying to yourself "that was terrible," say, "remember to snap your wrist." Being aware of your self-talk is huge for your mental game.
3. Percentage-Based Thinking
This is a mental training technique to help you recognize and embrace the luck factor in softball. You might remind yourself that hitting the ball hard will lead to a hit 50% of the time but still get caught the other 50%. Or if an umpire makes a bad call against you, you recall a time that a bad call went in your favor. This can keep you from harping on something and letting it take away from what's to come.
Bownet softball equipment such as hitting nets, backstops and pitching aids let you practice more than just your physical skills. You also can work on your refocusing skills to make sure you get the most from each drill. Prepare for game day and #TrainLikeAPro with Bownet Sports®.