Successful and confident athletes have positive images of themselves in their heads. They “see” themselves being successful at whatever they undertake. It is a positive mindset that will prepare the player for games, tough situations, and the future. Creating images in one’s head to build confidence and to see what will occur on the field of play is called visualization. It is widely used by athletes and successful people in almost every walk of life. See it and you will do it!
The mind does not distinguish between what is real and what is imagined, hence, visualization prepares one for what will happen and, thus be enhanced/prepared for the actual. Visualization allows one to rehearse the performance before-hand, making the player more comfortable and confident when it comes time to actually perform/play! Roberto Clemente (HOF) recommended that a player review a mistake/error he made in a game by replaying it in his head successfully; hence, the last image is positive not negative.
Visualization is not day dreaming but “seeing” specific situations so when they occur, the player is ready to go and has already done it in his/her head. Knowing the exact situation prior to each pitch and setting the mind to react will greatly empower the player to make the play!! A great aid the night before a game or event, is to fall asleep successfully executing a line drive base hit and stretching it into a double!
Some Hints to Help:
- Pitchers: See the ball go right to the target and command the ball to go there!
- Hitters: Watch the pitcher and focus on his release point and practice swinging at that pace. On deck, work with your swing “seeing” the ball being hit where it is pitched.
- Fielders: Between pitches, see the ball being hit to you and your fielding it successfully, as you GO to the ball! In practice, imagine each ball as if it is in an actual game and play it hard and fast.
It is very simple: “See it..hit it..get it..pitch or throw it” first in your mind then
for REAL!
GAGPTH