does every coach feel this way?

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I believe as a coach in softball ( or any sport ) that mental preperation is one of the most important aspects of the game! Ive had other coaches tell me that if the girl is physically gifted, say a 12u pitcher throwing 55-60mph, that the mental part of the game doesnt matter!? I completely disagree with that idea. What if she faces a team of stud hitters who start knocking the snot out of the ball?? How does she recover between innings afer being rocked? Just looking for opinions on this, perhaps I'm completely nuts buts but I believe what I believe ......

 

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For what it's worth, I agree with you. Most PC's in our area will tell you the same thing. I've often heard DD's PC tell her pitching is 80% mental and 20% physical. Not only how to recover and stay mentally tough when she gets rocked, but how to pick her locations and outsmart the batter. JMHO

 

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We have a "mental side" component to our training that involves reaffirmations and journals. I believe that most Division 1 coaches would tell you that having the tools to stay mentally positive while acknowledging areas for improvement is really key to being successful as a player. Phrased differently, if these mental toughness skills haven't been developed before joining a collegiate program and the young player suddenly finds herself playing among teammates and opponents who are competitive with the player's skills (and perhaps superior to the player), that player runs a very high risk of having her emotions lead to even poorer play than normal and to losing her love for the game.

 

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CGS, well stated !

 

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I agree, In all sports but I beleive in Softball/Baseball more important
IMO, cuz these sports are so unique, they are already a game of failure, only hitting 3 or 4 times out of ten and your an all-star, and that it is the only team sport where you do not control the ball when your on offense. You have to be strong between the ears ...

 

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As 643 states.."....... 90. Percent of the game is played in the 6" between the ears.........

 

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Does anybody have any good websites, books, etc that could offer?

 

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The mental part of the game is huge ... probably more so for pitchers than any other position ... just the nature of what they have to do. "Superior talent" is only going to carry them for so long. It's actually hard for me to believe that any coach worth his or her salt would say anything otherwise ...

 

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Does anybody have any good websites, books, etc that could offer?

I do not remember where I found this originally, but I have had it on our website for years: http://www.breakersfp.org/Training/mentalskillsb.pdf

Hope this helps.

Doug

 

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Have coached teams when I was in Texas that had loads of talent but did not click together. That is important also. Also have coached teams (recently) that had loads of chemistry and won lots of games that we had no business winning. I would say that from a strictly winning and losing aspect, you have to coach your talent. If you have speed, run, bunt, hit and run and squeeze. If you have power, find ways to get kids on in front of those power hitters. Lots more consistency in my opinion if you teach the speed game - speed does not go in a slump. Kids have to know their role and then coach has to be able to put them in a position to succeed. From an individual standpoint, I would agree mental is huge. That is, if they have put in the work to be a good hitter, pitcher etc.. Lastly, at some point, all of us have to hand our girls off to get the most out of them. I have one of the more easy to coach kids and she is better off now with someone (who is very good) coaching her.

Thanks Eagle One!

Murph

 

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I do not remember where I found this originally, but I have had it on our website for years: http://www.breakersfp.org/Training/mentalskillsb.pdf

Hope this helps.

Doug

Doug,

Thanks for the website!