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It's A Long Season, How Are You Preparing?
With the start of baseball season there is some key components to how you prepare to go through a long season. Even at the lower levels of baseball the season is a grind. Baseball seems the most dramatic because of the amount of games but most sport season are a grind. As you prepare to actually go into the season and try to perform your best there are some key things you want to be aware of.
Your goals should not be focused on each individual game. The goals should be long-term, allowing yourself the opportunity to be at your best over a period of time, not just on one day. By focusing on one day/one-game you are actually allowing yourself an easier time to fail and not meet expectations. Yet do not mistake the fact that your focus and preparation is important for each game.
For each game you want to have the same type of preparation. You want to approach the game the same way each time and play the same way you know how to. That should be your only expectation during the long season. In baseball, you also want to be aware of your role is and what the coach expects of you. If you’re someone is expected to get on base often, then having a goal of improving your home run amount by 10% is not helping anybody.
Also, in a sport like baseball, a lot of physical motions are used in the same situation over and over again. For example, being at bat or pitching the ball are routine and rhythmic motions. Make sure you have routines/rituals that allow you to be ready and prepared each time the situations going to occur. They should be that you feel the same every time and that your approach is the same whether it’s the first inning, third inning, or bottom of the 9th. The power of a routine is in preparation is one area during a long season where you can feel comfortable, keep your confidence level up, and minimize any slumps.
Be patient and remember that a long season is collection of smaller pieces. Be prepared for the small pieces but don’t get discouraged by the small mistakes.
For more information about mental performance as well as overall athletic performance enhancement check out our websites. The links are on the right of the page.
To Reach A Goal, Actions Are Most Important
Goals are a major part of sport training. As an athlete it is important to remember it is not the goals but the actions taken to achieve the goals that matter. When creating your goals consider the following questions:
- How long will it take to reach this goal?
- What is my first step?
- What results may occur due to this goal?
- What are the various steps that are required to meet this goal?
Setting a goal is great but if you don’t know how you will reach that goal it becomes useless. Goals should be outlines for action plans, not simply a dream. Think about it as your destination on a map. You may know where you are supposed to be going but you still need a route to get there. There may even be multiple routes you can take, so that choice is up to the athlete (or coach involved). Evaluate the options and choose what fits best into the situation.
As you create your goals be aware of the necessary actions, write them down and keep them accessible as you would the goals themselves. It should be a stepwise process building towards your larger goal (If you are a golfer and want to add 45 yards to your drive, then you should break it down into smaller parts). The actions should fit together and improve your performance from various angles. See the example below:
Goal: Add 15 yards to my drive (Golf)
Actions:
- Workout in the gym 3x week (*Set goals for performance in the gym i.e., add 20 lbs to my bench press in the next 3 weeks)
- Improve my flexibility
- Hit 50 more drives per day
- Analyze swing through video once per week
- Spend 1 extra hour with my swing coach
For more information about mental performance as well as overall athletic performance enhancement check out our websites. The links are on the right of the page.
As with every new sport season there are many things that need to be considered. There is nervousness, excitement, and sometimes a pressure to perform. It is critical for any athlete to begin with a quick mental checklist in preparation for the season.
- Did I train properly in the offseason?
- What are my current strengths and weaknesses?
- Where did I improve from last year?
- (If a team sport) What is my expected role on the team and what role do I expect of myself?
These questions can provide some excellent insight into what to expect this season. The more you know about yourself the less pressure there is; you can now focus on what is asked of you in practice. The focus should be on each and every day not down the road. For example, if you do not think you trained properly during the offseason how will it affect you? What do you have to do extra to get where you want to be? If may feel overwhelming to look at the final expectation. So if you simplify these expectations and figure out what do you have to do TODAY then results will happen faster. All of those “TODAYS” add up quickly when they are completed versus stressing out about doing everything at once.
Additionally, as a team leader when you know your limitations it allows you to avoid unnecessary mistakes. As a leader there might be a lot asked of you, or you may feel pressure to provide more then is actually needed. Self-awareness questions allow you to be realistic with yourself and improve your focus. If you are a team leader (this includes being a captain, emotional leader, or even a veteran player), take extra care and time with answering these questions. Be honest with yourself and start your season off right.
For more information about mental performance as well as overall athletic performance enhancement check out our websites. The links are on the right of the page.
With the holiday season firmly upon us it can be difficult for an athlete to stay motivated in their training. With family distractions and all of the delicious food available it can be hard to make it to the gym as often and many times one can find extra weight on themselves. Not only can this set back your training but if you are in season you may lose a step. This time of year I often see athletes with lower confidence and/or higher frustration levels. The biggest reason this occurs is because our normal routines get disrupted. These routines that change include, eating habits, training, and even sleep patterns.
There are ways to combat these issues. Using goal setting you can ensure that you do not slip.
- Rework your schedule to fit in your routines.
- Choose healthy eating options when you can; if nothing else portion control!
- If you’re traveling find out ahead of time where you can train.
- Make sure to rest and be prepared to make sacrifices when choosing between preparation for a game or family commitments
- Have modified training programs and routines for shortened time situations that may occur
- Lastly, set some personal goals for each few days that can keep you on task.
For more information about mental performance as well as overall athletic performance enhancement check out our websites. The links are on the left of the page.
