Yesterday I hit for the cycle. I came out today and struck out 4 times .....looking. What should yu think about when you have a "bad day"?
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Suck it up and go out and give it your best shot tomorrow. Everyone has a bad day. Every one has a bad stretch. Doesn't mean you can't hit. The test of the best players is how they bounce back from a day or stretch like that. Don't get down, get motivated to come back and do well next time out.
Never evaluate your performance in baseball by the results. Never get high from a HR nor never get low from a K. You have got to let the phrase "baseball is a game of averages" sink into your head!! If you cannot do that you will always suffer from lows and slumps. Easy to say ---- VERY DIFFICULT to do.
In baseball those that succeed do things RIGHT ---- not GOOD!
Fungo
PS: Let someone else keep up with the stats!
In baseball those that succeed do things RIGHT ---- not GOOD!
Fungo
PS: Let someone else keep up with the stats!
Look at it this way
the cycle is 4 for 4
the next day is 0 for 4
That is a .500 batting average for two days---not too shabby in my book
the cycle is 4 for 4
the next day is 0 for 4
That is a .500 batting average for two days---not too shabby in my book
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
Look at it this way
the cycle is 4 for 4
the next day is 0 for 4
That is a .500 batting average for two days---not too shabby in my book
Good point TR.
I've borrowed this from an article at Positive Coaching Alliance and used it when coaching both baseball and basketball.
Basically, when you've made a bad play, don't let it take you out of the game. Spend a second or two to determine what you can learn from the mistake you just made, then proceed to "flush" the last play away. It's now ancient history that you don't dwell on anymore.
Basically, when you've made a bad play, don't let it take you out of the game. Spend a second or two to determine what you can learn from the mistake you just made, then proceed to "flush" the last play away. It's now ancient history that you don't dwell on anymore.
quote:
Basically, when you've made a bad play, don't let it take you out of the game. Spend a second or two to determine what you can learn from the mistake you just made, then proceed to "flush" the last play away. It's now ancient history that you don't dwell on anymore.
Great thought process. Learn from the past, but worry about the now. You can only control that.
Stu
Get right back on the horse that threw you
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
Get right back on the horse that threw you
Umpiring isnt playing so this may not be "apples to apples"...
But to correct a bad day we teach that you start by focusing on the next pitch, the next out, the next inning....
Not to look at it as the whole....but to use TR's analogy..."get back on the horse"......get the next pitch call right.....
Build back from the next pitch....dont look at it like you need to have another great day, start with the next Pitch...the next AB and build from there....
I have found that some of the myopic problems associated with a bad day have to do with a lack of perspective. I agree with TR get back on the horse. But I also think it is necessary to give a kid a well rounded perspective of the world. Go volunteer at a soup kitchen. Tour a VA hospital. Spend a day watching the kids or helping at a Challenger league. When a kid sees the hurdles that others have over come to just survive, going 0 for 4 will be a bump in the road.
You have to have a short memory. I always use the NFL cornerback analogy. If that guy gets beat on a long pass play, guess what? The very next play he's got that guy man to man again. There's nothing he can do about the last play but learn from it and not let it happen again.
Learn from your ofer...how did the pitchers set you up? What pitch got you out? Do you need work on your two strike approach or was this a rare thing? What was the difference between your 4 for 4 day and the ofer? Maybe yesterday the pitcher fell behind and you got good pitches to hit, while today the guy was filling it up and put you on your heels.
Otherwise, I also like to use the toilet analogy and tell guys to just flush it all away. Unless you've got a hot tub time machine or a DeLorean you can't go back in time to change the rough day.
Learn from your ofer...how did the pitchers set you up? What pitch got you out? Do you need work on your two strike approach or was this a rare thing? What was the difference between your 4 for 4 day and the ofer? Maybe yesterday the pitcher fell behind and you got good pitches to hit, while today the guy was filling it up and put you on your heels.
Otherwise, I also like to use the toilet analogy and tell guys to just flush it all away. Unless you've got a hot tub time machine or a DeLorean you can't go back in time to change the rough day.
I read (maybe on this website?) that it is important to focus on what you are going to do (pick up the ball early, load up, or some part of your mechanics), and not think about what you don't want to do (strike out). Focus on a positive thought.
quote:Originally posted by jeffjco:
I've borrowed this from an article at Positive Coaching Alliance and used it when coaching both baseball and basketball.
Basically, when you've made a bad play, don't let it take you out of the game. Spend a second or two to determine what you can learn from the mistake you just made, then proceed to "flush" the last play away. It's now ancient history that you don't dwell on anymore.
Good advice, but that should be whether a good or bad day. 10 seconds, give yourself 10 seconds, to think about what you did out there upon returning to the dugout and then it's done. The slate wipes clean and the next at bat, the next pitch is a whole new ball game.
I think that young players aren't given enough mental training when young and unfortunetly have a hard time flushing it out. I just don't get this, the game is about mental skills just as much as the physical ones. The very young player should be told right away what he did wrong, and how to change it, immediate feedback.
JMO.
Good post Deldad!
There are 3 ways to change your mindset:
1. Self-talk - the way you talk to yourself will dictate your frame of mind. The problem is most players upon failure talk negative and don't even know it until it is too late - as in --the game is over! However if a player has action goals - perpared postivie statements that are positive then the player can change the way he talks to himself and thus change his mindset. My systematic program details exactly how to make this easier and more a part of your whole game.
2. Physical movement - doing something physical is one of the best ways to change a mindset. My favorite one for a hitter is as follows: The batter's box is positve space and outside it is negative space. Anytime you catch yourself being negative you step out of the box into the negative space and take care of the "poor me" mindset. Beat yourself up - get it over with! However, upon stepping back into the positive space (the batters box) the rule is positive! " I am coming at you - get ready for a ball off your chest pal!"... If the ump gets upset or won't give you time - one foot out will do fine into the negative space.
3. Visual - imagining what you wanted instead of what just happend will change your mindset. For example you just booted a ball at short... rather than allow this to take you out of your game for several pitches or even the whole inning - instead replay it in your mind the way you wanted it to play out. Your mind does not care if it is real or imaginary - it will become more positive and your mindset is much better off.
These were just a few examples - there are so many more! Check out my website:
www.baseball-cap.net for more on the mental game
Good luck changing your mindset next time
Rick
1. Self-talk - the way you talk to yourself will dictate your frame of mind. The problem is most players upon failure talk negative and don't even know it until it is too late - as in --the game is over! However if a player has action goals - perpared postivie statements that are positive then the player can change the way he talks to himself and thus change his mindset. My systematic program details exactly how to make this easier and more a part of your whole game.
2. Physical movement - doing something physical is one of the best ways to change a mindset. My favorite one for a hitter is as follows: The batter's box is positve space and outside it is negative space. Anytime you catch yourself being negative you step out of the box into the negative space and take care of the "poor me" mindset. Beat yourself up - get it over with! However, upon stepping back into the positive space (the batters box) the rule is positive! " I am coming at you - get ready for a ball off your chest pal!"... If the ump gets upset or won't give you time - one foot out will do fine into the negative space.
3. Visual - imagining what you wanted instead of what just happend will change your mindset. For example you just booted a ball at short... rather than allow this to take you out of your game for several pitches or even the whole inning - instead replay it in your mind the way you wanted it to play out. Your mind does not care if it is real or imaginary - it will become more positive and your mindset is much better off.
These were just a few examples - there are so many more! Check out my website:
www.baseball-cap.net for more on the mental game
Good luck changing your mindset next time
Rick