Overcoming Nerves

Unfortunately I believe that that is part of the players make up.
I am not sure how old he is but he must realize that nevous is not an option. I have seen many talented players who struggle with nerves. Many of them MIF players who can not play under pressure. Maybe in time he will learn that what happens happens and if you are nevous you will probably not do well. If he is young hopefully he gets enough experience that he can focus on his task at hand.

There's lots of ways to relax and chase those nerves away...most young people nowadays like to unwind playing their favorite electronic video games such as...


Nintendo® Wii™




Sony PlayStation®




Sega©




Microsoft® Xbox




Nintendo GameBoy™







Atari©




Well that is all well and good for today's youngsters...but all of you old timers out there can remember how we coped with our case of the jitters...right?

Those were the days my friend!


...proud sponsor of efforts to make your elder years more...more...uh...ummm...by Jiminy...I forgot...more memorable...maybe?


.

In our 1993-94 American Legion team was a pitcher who had the best arm, the best repertory of pitches, and the best control of all the pitchers of the team, but only when we play intersquad games or practice games. He never could pitch in a real game, on Legion or college. Why?...he got so nervious that I could see him shaking. If you are asking how can that such kind of pitcher be in our Legion Team that won 1994 world series...was because we always were waiting for him to overcome this problem. He never did.

Can you tell yourself, "Okay, this the first one and it doesn't mean a thing." Now you know what to expect, how these things are run and what it takes to prepare.

Go to the next on and don't be nervous. You've already go that out of the way.

confidence, confidence, confidence.....if you're confident in your own abilities and you don't care what others think.....nerves go away pretty fast. I understand this is easier said that done but a goal to work toward....combined with more experience at such events and he'll be just fine. Good luck to your kid !

He's a sophomore just turned 16, has always performed well with the game on the line. Getting the big hit, making the big play whatever it is. The end of season last year he pitched against a varsity level legion team in the state tournament. His line 11k's, 2 earned runs in 6+ innings. Left with a 3-2 lead. They wound up losing in xtra's. Oh also he was 3 for 3 at the plate and the pitcher hit him the last time up. This just seemed to be different because there was a guy pointing a gun on him. He's been gunned before but not by scouts so maybe it was just this time.
biggerpapi, I'm hoping you are right, it was the first one.
Just wondering if there was a way to clear the mechanism?

j2

I am with you---the kid with confidence--the kid who wants to hit with two out and the winning run on base---the kid who wants to be on the mound in the tight situations-- I want those kids on my team---they are the winners--nerves can be the difference in a kid going from one level to the next or not---some kids cannot handle it---the same happens in the business world---in every office there are workers who want to be workers and others who want to be bosses

There is also another side to this---a number of years back we had a young pitcher at one of our events---a number of schools he had interest in were there to see him---the first day he was shaking and quivering---he threw one inning and was terrible---even he, today, will tell you he stunk up the joint---he was to go three innings the first day---we took him aside and talked with him---told him just relax---you will throw again tomorrow morning--just go back to the hotel now and chill---next day--two innings --three up three down each inning---kid was a great student--went to a major Division III power --one of the best arms in their history---now in a major medical school---I think it is a great story

Someone that may influence your BB future is always watching is a good mental approach to take. I would also recommend "Heads Up Baseball" by Ravizza and Hanson for developing a proper mental approach.

Our practices are intense. When we are doing individual stuff we teach and its not intense. When we do team stuff its intense. I play games within the game. OK guys runners on second and third 2 outs winning run on 2b. Then I hit a ball in the hole and you got to get it done somehow. Put pressure on players to make plays in practice. Put them in situations that will force them to step up. With the pitchers we do the same thing. OK bases loaded 3-0 count on the batter. You have to be put in these situations over and over again. Players have to learn to focus and become mentally tough.

You put players in these situations in practice and you put pressure on them. Then when the games come you support them and encourage them. The more often you are put in pressure situations the better you learn to deal with it. This situation your son was in is no different. The more he is around radar guns , college coaches , pro scouts the better he will learn to deal with it and realize its no big deal.

Its like the catchers I see that look great catching 78 mph fb's. Man they block great recieve great they are so confident looking. Then you put a guy on the hill throwing upper 80's with movement and they look totally lost. Threshold practice. Hit against guys that will put you on the threshold of failure , catch pitchers that will challenge your ability , etc etc.

You can not expect kids to be comfortable in situations they have never been in. So get them in those situations as often as possible. Your son will learn from this experience and he will be better for it. Just make sure its not another year before it happens again. Make sure its often. Heck my son when he was in the 7th grade caught bull pens for our hs pitchers. One was a 3rd round draft pick. Was it challenging? YES. But its no big deal to go catch anyone else once you have caught a 6'4 lefty throwing low 90's.

Get challenged. Put yourself in these situations as often as you can. It will give the player confidence and it will make him realize its really no big deal at all once you have been there done that.

He will start throwing for the varsity coach on Tuesday. There he doesn't feel pressure, I think it is because he knows he has nothing to lose. Which is exactly what I told him before he threw yesterday. Your a sophomore, just go out and have fun. This is just the beginning. Maybe that was the wrong thing to say.
He's comes through a lot when it counts in the game. I just don't want to make a big deal out of it because there is a long way to go. I think the best action is no action right now but I will try and get him to put himself in tough situations. Mental toughness.
Flintoide: I will check out the book.

quote:

There is also another side to this---a number of years back we had a young pitcher at one of our events---a number of schools he had interest in were there to see him---the first day he was shaking and quivering---he threw one inning and was terrible---even he, today, will tell you he stunk up the joint---he was to go three innings the first day---we took him aside and talked with him---told him just relax---you will throw again tomorrow morning--just go back to the hotel now and chill---next day--two innings --three up three down each inning---kid was a great student--went to a major Division III power --one of the best arms in their history---now in a major medical school---I think it is a great story

That is a great story, TRhit. Reminds me of a couple of summers ago when my son was moved to a different position he had never played to cover for an injured teammate. He was not familiar with the angle the ball was coming in at and he began to make errors. Then his play started to get downright ugly, no matter what position he was playing. During a team meeting, his coach looked him straight in the eye and in a loud, firm voice declared, "The errors are OVER." He then indicated he had complete confidence in son's abilities and let him start the next day. Son played one of the best games of his life right after that and his confidence started to rebuild. Imagine what would have happened if the coach had benched him for the remainder of the season.

I am a firm believer that a player's "makeup" can change as he grows, matures, and perseveres through failure. I have seen it occur in my own son and in other players too.

bb1, I think you're getting great advice to keep putting him in pressure situations. Have him participate in free pro tryouts. Find some low-cost college showcases or camps (some cost just $25 or $30) to have him participate in, even if he's not particularly interested in those schools -- just to give him some more experience. Eventually, he'll relax and his self-confidence will increase. Meanwhile, keep building him up with your words and be a positive encourager, even if you privately have some doubts about how things are going.

Best wishes!

He will be fine. I see it all the time in the summer on the showcase teams. The new guys look like they are pressing and nervous. After a few weekends they start to relax and play well. And it never fails the guys after they verbal to a school catch fire and play their best of the season.

I remember a lhp I had a few years back. The first couple of games his sr year he really looked nervous at the start of games with all the scouts and guns in the stands. After a few starts you could tell it didnt bother him at all. He will be fine.

bb1,
I think it is normal for a pitcher to be nervous the first time a professional scout or college coach puts a radar gun on them. I know that my son was. And he was his second and third time also until he became comfortable with it. After a while, it becomes second nature and you learn to shut it out.

Listen to Coach May, start putting your son in situations as often as possible so he will get used to the experience. And make sure that he understands that he should not try to throw harder than he is capable of, he may injure himself.

I agree with those above who indicate relax, don't worry about this one. Get him out to as many small lightly attended showcases (usually inexpensive) as you can quickly. After he has 2 or 3 under his belt he should be comfortable with both himself and what is expected in a showcase atmosphere. After he is relaxed with the showcase experience, then book a more visible PG event or other larger event.

When my guy attended his first PG showcase his new summerball coach talked him up big, introduced him to Jerry Ford and generally made my guy quite nervous. He even stood right at the 3rd baseline helping to score the infield portion (which was done at 3rd base). Needless to say, between his Dad (me) and his coach, my guy felt a lot of pressure to perform (which really is different than playing), he proceeded to boot just about every ball hit to him. He was a much better player than he showed.

I would just get him comfortable with the process so he can get out there and play like he knows how.

Coach May,
You have a PM.

Here is one of the best articles I have ever seen on the subject and it is linked right here on this website under articles:
http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/under_pressure.htm

Great article by a great coach and person. You can not practice one way and play another way and be successfull as a player or a team. You must practice the way you want to perform.

quote:

Here is one of the best articles I have ever seen on the subject and it is linked right here on this website under articles:
http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/under_pressure.htm

ClevelandDad,
I searched for something like this before I posted and didn't come up with much. Thanks. I will keep getting him in these types of situations to make it easier.

Coach May - I think a good analogy for what you are saying about practicing under pressure is how Bill Belichick develops kickers up there at New England. Adam Viniterri never missed when the money was on the line yet he does not seem as effecitve with Indy even though he is kicking indoors. Don't know who the Patriots kicker is now but they have not missed a beat in that regard. Kicking is a no glamour, oh-sh*t, no atta boy type of position. It is mostly mental imho.

I have always laughed when watching an opposing coach yell at a pitcher who gives up an 0-2 hit. Then the next time he gets a hitter down 0-2 he ends up walking him. The kid is more concerned with giving up a hit after going 0-2 on the hitter than he is with just getting him out. That is just one example.

Most players struggle in pressure situations because of the way they have been coached all their lives coming up in the game. The coach tells them "You got to get the sac down here Billy." But when its practice time they dont have time to work on sac bunting. Or when they do they just stand up there and tap a couple of cream puff pitches around.

If you want your players to perform in a game then practice with the same importance as you approach the game. To me their is no difference. I feel pressure in practice to make sure we are prepared to play the same way. The games are no tougher or pressure filled than the practices. The players need to learn to practice the exact same way they expect to play. A booted ground ball in practice should feel the same to them as a booted ground ball in the game.

Oh lets just go practice for awhile. You just kind of go through the motions. No intensity no sense of urgency to work hard and improve. Now its game time we have to step it up. Step it up to what? How do you step it up to a level you are not used to playing at?

There should be no difference in the way a pitcher goes about his business in practice and how he goes about his business in a game. NONE! If there is the practice time is an absolute waist of time. Because if it does not equate to the game what good is it?

In a game there is more time. You can struggle through an inning but still have time to find it and make a correction. I could see right away that his motion had changed. I wasn't going to say anything until after. He needs to be able to figure things out on his own. In a game the coach may call time and straighten things out. At this event they had four mounds going at the same time. They put the kids on a timer, 6 minutes that they could also see. Is that normal or was it just because they had more kids then they expected? Loosing up before stepping on the mound was very limited also, a major concern for injury. Then they went fb for about 3 minutes, then change, curve for 2 minutes. Then from the stretch. As I talk about it I'm wondering if this was a good situation or not? There has to be better.

I couldn't agree more with you, Coach May. You often hear it said of the best players that they ALWAYS practice with a purpose. They don't take a swing of the bat or throw the ball without an expressed reason to do so and a goal for that attempt. It stands to reason that the best teams would consistently practice with a purpose, as well.

I'll also share the observation that the most successful pitchers I know have a knack for putting the last pitch completely behind them regardless of whether it was a good or bad one. That last pitch is "history." Then, as they focus their attention on the next pitch, they often have a "gathering" thought; something like the phrase "Watch this..." as they concentrate all of their attention on delivering the next one.

quote:

bb1 posted: I know it will get easier with experience but are there any suggestions on how to overcome this? Of how to tune things out?

My son was a sophmore when he went to his first showcase of sorts in September. He was so nervous on the mouind he was "overadrenalized" and had trouble breathing on the mound, and had heart rhythm issues, or so he thought. We actually had him in a cardiologists office in two days, which thankfully proved he was healthy.

Fast forward to January and he went to PG Underclass after preparing for a month or two and having a good fall season after the jittery September showcase. He did well and was on his way. He hasn't really looked back. I agree that confidence comes from experience and preparation, practicing with a purpose and talent.

The first showcase might be a throw away, especially for a pitcher. Don't make it one on center stage. The next one is better.

Dad04
That really helps. I've already decided to not take it any further with him on this one. Chalk it up to experience. He'll be better off not dwelling on it. He's a sophomore, just think how much better his numbers will be without getting any better. Just doing what he is capable of, they will think wow this kid really worked hard to improve. Which he does but he won't have to, to show improvement over this performance.
However, how do most showcases work. Is the 6 minutes I mentioned before the norm? Is not warming up enough the norm?

Based on my very limited experience, he could have a differential of 6 mph from a good performance to a bad one, given the circumstances. Good pitchers have bad memories. Bad innings are part of the game. He needs to forget the bad outing, go back to square one and get ready for the next outing. The cream almost always rises. Been right there and it was forgotten quickly.

quote:

I know it will get easier with experience but are there any suggestions on how to overcome this?

He's a sophomore at his first event with recognizeable scouts.
Of course the athlete has the jitters! Its exciting,...its new, & it can be intimidating.
To tell ya the truth, first-time-nerves seems like a pretty natural human reaction to me.
Heck, it kinda even gives me a rush when I see a ton of radar guns behind the plate and in the stands ( & my son isnt even a pitcher-ha! )

Sooo,...my advice would be the more he goes to these types of events, the more routine seeing scouts becomes. Sooner or later the newness of this is going to run its course and he's going to be fine!
Matter of fact, sometimes a little adrenaline rush can get an athlete in the zone!
Give it time,....
he's going to be fine.

Practice builds confidence.

By the way,.....how did " he " feel after the event?
Did he have a good time? Does he want to do another event? Did he learn anything?
What does he feel his strenghths and his weaknesses were?
Its all about growing and working on one's game....
if you have done that, with or without nerves, you have taken a step in the right direction.

Please keep posting and continue to fill us in on the journey!!

shortstopmom
I asked him how he felt he did and the answer was "okay". I think there was a combination of things that went into the performance. Some nervousness, some was seeing other players he hadn't seen in awhile and trying to impress them as to how far he's come. Then the indoor mounds and not enough time to warm-up. The experience was a positive. Next up will be the high school coaches seeing him throw and realizing how much faster he's gotten and how much better the control is. They have him working with the JV/Varsity in optional workouts. Tryouts begin mid-february.

bb1,
I'll bet he has forgotten about it already.

Let it go, he'll be fine, don't let people talk the talk about make up issues, this is normal. I got a good chuckle out of Dad04's post. Knowing his son, whose a tough cookie, that was a good example it (being nervous) happens to everyone.

bb1,

IMO - The best way to get used to it is to keep playing.

I can never recall a game - where before the game - I wasnt nervous.

I felt like I wanted to puke before every football game - baseball game - and boxing match I ever participated in.

After awhile - that sick feeling just became normal. I expected to feel it and I expected it to disappear as soon as the competition began.

I know this isnt a definitive answer to your question - but I thought it was something that might help.

Good luck to you and your son.

TPM,
You are right. He's already forgotten it. That's the sign of a good pitcher. I think someone said they have bad memories. I will not push it at all. I know there is much more to come. Thanks.

Now, this may sound odd, but Bum Jr. has really benefitted from his second "sport" of debate. The debate season ends right about the time baseball begins, and he has gotten so good at it he could probably get a sholly in it.. if he weren't playing baseball. But debate has fine-tuned his critical thinking skills and has put him center-stage in front of crowds. To be a great debater you need to be ultimately confident, so it has been the perfect compliment to pitching. And some day, he wants to coach and these two skills will mesh together very well.

Ya know Bum,...you may be onto something there.
Public speaking, debate, etc. can help to develope ones ability and build up their confidence level while addressing crowds.
My son too has been involved in a highschool leadership class over the past two years. This class has provided many opportunities and avenues for him to get in front of and publically address the student body and respected administrators.

Perhaps it is that confidence level and those experiences that he has taken along with him while on the baseball recruiting trail ( preforming infront of and speaking to college coaches/scouts ) this past year.

Although, if I were a bettin' gal, not sure I'd bank on him being the one to actually scholly in debate from this household,....most likey his 14 year old 8th grade sister ( who wont let anyone get a word in edge wise ) already has that ticket in the bag!

bb1,

quote:

The experience was a positive

Yeap!, thats good news.
The more one can learn, the more experiences one can get, and the harder one works out, all helps to prepare the young athlete for adapting to and preforming at the next level.

quote:

Tryouts begin mid-february.

Best of luck!!!!!

Nerves are different than adrenaline. Nerves affect you performance in a negative way. adrenaline affects your performance usually in a possitive way.
It is very important to to help your son understand the difference. If your son has a problem with nerves it will hurt him. What happens when he has to face a big time college team that can rip the cover off a ball. Does he say I hope I do well or does he say I am going to rip their heads off. A great pitcher wants the challege and at 16 should have faced many defining moments. This is why I preach playing up and playing against tough competition. This is how you build confidence so that you never worry about how you are going to do. You want the ball and you want to face the top teams. This was one of the main criteria for picking a college to us. You aquire the confidence that if you get touched up bad you can move on to the next outting with no bagage.
When you say you will take no further action I am not sur what action you might have contemplated. To me a parents job is to teach your son to deal with emmotions. Enjoy the victories and forget the failures.
I remember 1 time my son ws an unwanted player who had been called up to pitch for a M Bantam team. The parents were openly rude and expressed their anger about having him there. He heard it all and he went out and had a bad outting. I talked to him after and reminded him that he had to focus on the task at hand. He said they hate me. And I said no they are upset because you are taking someones playing time. The next weekend he was called up again and they were playing the #1 M Bantam team in Canada from Waterloo Ont. The pitcher were getting blasted. My son went in for the last inning and threw 3 perfect innings. The parents gave him a standing ovation and nevr complained again. He was welcomed from that point on. He had allowed the parents to affect his performance. Kinda like having a lot of people wanting him to fail. That is 10 times worse than radar guns.

quote:

Originally posted by Bum:
Now, this may sound odd, but Bum Jr. has really benefitted from his second "sport" of debate. The debate season ends right about the time baseball begins, and he has gotten so good at it he could probably get a sholly in it.. if he weren't playing baseball. But debate has fine-tuned his critical thinking skills and has put him center-stage in front of crowds. To be a great debater you need to be ultimately confident, so it has been the perfect compliment to pitching. And some day, he wants to coach and these two skills will mesh together very well.

You know that is really funny, because my son took debate (1 & 2) in HS and I never thought that there could be a connection. I suppose anything that might get you up in front of a crowd might help.

I do remember one game, I think it was at the end of middle school we were playing a fall tourney, quite a big tourney for our local area. It had rained, pushing back all start times. We had a pretty big crowd towards the end of our game which had gone into xtra innings, a pitchers dual going on (son was in relief) so crowds began to form to watch the game plus the other teams waiting to play plus their parents, etc. I think it was the largest crowd that I had ever seen at a game where he was pitching. I was wondering how could he do that, how could he be so composed with all of them watching? After the game we asked, he said he never noticed. I am not sure where he figured that out, but he did.

The next big step was college. Even though he now was somewhat used to guns and larger crowds, nothing prepares you for 5-6K maybe more at your first home game. I don't care how good or composed you are, that's an adjustment and an eye opener. Then came the TV cameras, then the larger audience. I do beleive that this had a big influence in preparing for his future, not that he always did well, but he learned to block most of it out along the way. Towards the end, nothing more comforting than being in front of an audience where orange was the dominant color. One of the reasons he chose to go where he went, the larger stage and huge fan support. That doesn't always happen everywhere you go, even in the ACC or SEC.

One warning, 14K with cow bells is pretty hard to ignore.

He comes through often in games. This past year we always knew when he would pitch becuase it was against the best teams. Doing well most of the time. Example: There was a very good player that hit an inside the park home run off of him. He has faced the same kid 4x since that and the results have been 4K's.
Games and competition are different. I'm sure he's been nervous in games but enjoys it. He wants the ball. In the movie Replacements the coach says winners always want the ball.
All in all this will workout for the best. Just a minor bump in the road. If it was easy everyone would do it. After all it is just the beginning.

I bet your sorry you asked now! Just kidding. Nothing to this really. A kid gets put in a new situation for the first time and he is nervous. Imagine that! Maybe he just wanted to do good so bad he couldnt? Your right its just a bump in the road. And might I say a very small one. He will be better for the experience. I bet the next time he will be less nervous and everytime after that less and less. Good luck and keep on posting.

Coach May,
I've never been sorry that I post because despite what is said it is always helpful one way or another. The only thing I felt was incorrect was comparing a showcase to a game. They really are 2 different things. I really don't think you can compare one to the other. In a game even if you are the pitcher there are 8 other players there with you rooting you on, picking you up, watching your back. You can take time to prepare for the next pitch.
At a showcase you are there alone, with all eyes on you, with the gun on you, with a limited amount of time to show your ability not 7 innings. No one to root you on and some I am sure hoping you screw up, thinking it will benefit their kid if you do.
I could have helped him but this is no longer my place. I knew right away his motion was something that I had never seen before but he needed to correct it not me. He'll know better for the next time. This is far from over. He's got some very high expectations which I know by the time he is a senior will be realized.

Good Luck.

Coach May,
Thanks for all your opinions and advice. I can't think of a better place to come to.