How to Be Consistent in the Game

When a player is “hot,” it is imperative that he not pressure himself to maintain that pace.  If so, he starts trying too hard, thereby switching the mind to the left hemisphere, where trouble is certain.  Solution?  Leave your mind on automatic, and keep positive HEAD GAMES within your control.

Only a positive mind can keep one on the road to success.  Relative to sports, or anything else, the mind must be focused on the present, in order to maximize goals.  When focused on the task at hand, goals are secondary.  Goals, in order to not be detrimental to success, must be kept on the edge of the attention, and not allowed to interfere with the present.  When relaxed and  properly focused, the mind of the athlete shifts to the creative side.  This focus on the present, the action of the moment, is the solution to thinking too much.  Positive testimonials continue to pour in from across the globe with HEAD GAMESsuccess stories.

Learn Hown to Embrace Mental Toughness

A few years ago, I worked with an out of state nine year old racquet ball and basketball player referred by Skip Bertman.   Although this young athlete has been ranked as high as number one in the U.S.A. in racquet ball for his age category,  the fun was no longer there as the pressure had mounted.  He is  now not only excited about his athletic future but life generally.

His parents were also enthused as they  embraced the HEAD GAMES philosophy.  The dad is an attorney and the mom has multiple responsibilities inside and outside the home; they immediately made plans to use what they  learned to make life simpler, more enjoyable, less stressful and more productive. The techniques when developed over thirty years ago were intended  to be holistic and not limited to  sports.  We live in a busy, stressful and complicated era.

The good news is that accolades from across the world attest to the fact that  HEAD GAMES is an effective panacea in not only coping with the demands and complexities of modern society but can also lead to happiness and success.  HEAD GAMES principles include but are not limited to teachings involving POSITIVE THINKING, RELAXATION AND FOCUSING.   Why not add your name to the growing and glowing list of testimonials?  Make a comment on this post and let us know!

Structuring Your Goals

Before continuing, I would like you to distinguish between two important kinds of goals: outcome goals and performance goals.  Outcome goals are the end of products of achievement, such as hitting .300, or making the All-Star team.  Performance goals are explained below.

Performance Goals

Performance goals have to do with specific behaviors you need to master in order to achieve your outcome goals.  Examples of performance goals are hitting the outside pitch to the opposite field, consistently staying focused and alert on every pitch.  Performance goals are the stepping stones to achieving outcome goals.  They are the nuts and bolts of what you need to do in order to achieve the outcome you want.

Getting Ready for the Big Game

Sports giants are people willing to pay the price for excellence.  Brooks Robinson took 200 ground balls a day from the time he was 12 year old until the end of his career.

Nolan Ryan is legendary for his dedication to his conditioning and his personal work habits.  In addition to having strong work habits, it is important to note the fact that dedication and effort is channeled toward specific performance goals.  On a day to day basis, the great athletes work on the things that are necessary to achieve their outcome goals.

Some may regard the hard work involved in developing the principles outlined in this book as a huge sacrifice, but a highly committed player doesn’t look at it as a sacrifice, but rather as a choice that involves sacrifice.  As a player, you need to decide what price you are willing to pay to become the best that you are capable of becoming- on and off the field.

When Do You Need Mental Toughness?

No one needs to exercise mental toughness when things are going well, however, you do need mental toughness when things are going bad.  As a challenge grows and pressure increases, so does the need for mental toughness.  By nature, people are competitive.  The greater the challenge, the more pressure you feel.  Challenges offer great potential for satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment; but if your performance does not meet expectations, it becomes a source of anguish and frustration.  Those who are mentally tough enjoy the challenges of this game; those who are not, are frustrated.

Winners in life, as well as in sports, are mentally tough.  What separates the winners from everyone else is how they deal with pain, adversity, pressure, challenges, and the unexpected.  No matter how difficult or uncomfortable the situation, the mentally tough do their thing.

Getting Your Head in the Game

This post was written for baseball and softball players, however you will find that it can be used for many life situations.  Becoming a student of the game.  Many young kids think they are a student of the game but they haven’t even walked in the club-house. I say this as I am just finishing up another Instructional League. Here we have the cream of the crop, the best young talent in the nation. Most of these kids don’t have a clue as to what their swing consists of, let alone the mental toughness to make the necessary changes. I don’t speak for all, I do however speak for most. One thing I want to instill in you is the fact that there is so much to this game, don’t hurt your chances to improve yourself by thinking you know it all. I deal with plenty of know it alls day in and day out. Guess what, most of them don’t make it. Why? Since they know it all, they don’t need anyone to teach them.

Unfortunately in their mind, there is nothing more for them to learn. Always be ready to learn. I spoke to Rudy Jaramillo, Hitting Coach for the Texas Rangers, and he told me that Rafael Palmeiro just learned two years ago what it took to be a consistent Major League hitter. This was not in the minor leagues, nor was it his rookie year, this was after 10 years in the big leagues!

I recently received an e-mail from a customer. He has been solicited by a recruiting service to help his son get a scholarship. The recruiter told this dad that college coaches don’t care much about a kid’s swing, they can teach a kid to hit – all they are looking for is a good arm and glove. I was taken back by this advice. That is just another example of mediocrity and miscon-ceptions that circulate in this game. First of all everyone in professional baseball knows that the guys that hit – play – the gloves come in for late innings if necessary. Secondly you better not wait till college to learn how to hit because it will be too late. Don’t fall for it. Don’t let anyone, or anything take you away from becoming the best you can be. Not everyone will make it to the big leagues. However, having a solid work ethic, having the ability to make adjustments, not being afraid to fail, and becoming a student of the game are all qualities to take you as far as your abilities will take you, but more importantly, they will allow you to make it in the real big leagues – life.

The Turning Point of the Game

What is a pressure situation?  In baseball a pressure situation can be any possible turning point in a game, or perhaps any time a player feels an urgency or a necessity to perform in the “right now” as if the game was on the line.  Pressure situations rarely announce themselves.  Pressure situations can be the bottom of the 9th in the final game of the World Series, or a clutch at bat in the first inning of a Little League game.

Nobody wants to choke in a pressure situation, but the greatest athletes and the greatest competitors have all choked at some point in the lives and/or careers.  When athletes choke, people say they have no guts, no courage, and they view the”chokers” as not mentally tough.  But, athletes who choke deserve a pat on the back because of their great desire.  Desire creates pressure.  No desire = no pressure; it is that simple.

Choking-up is trying too hard; it has nothing to do with guys.  Athletes who are said to be choking compete as hard as they can… to the point of self-destruction; they go “over the edge” to the point of their emotional control and self-discipline.  Great desire and competitiveness are attributes that every elite athlete must have, but strong emotions can easily take control, which is when choking occurs.

How to Set Goals

Your goals should be definite and challenging.  Proper goal setting will both challenge you and give you a feeling of accomplishment when you attain them.  Also, you should feel free to modify your goals if necessary.

Remember on goal setting to stick to the positives rather than the negatives.  Always focus on what you want to do rather than on what you want to avoid doing.  This keeps you focused on success rather than on avoiding failure.

Your Goals should be:

• Specific in nature
• Challenging but realistic
• Short term
• Measurable on a day by day basis
• Positive in nature

When Things Go Bad

No one needs to exercise mental toughness when things are going well, however, you do need mental toughness when things are going bad.  As a challenge grows and pressure increases, so does the need for mental toughness.  By nature, people are competitive.  The greater the challenge, the more pressure you feel.  Challenges offer great potential for satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment; but if your performance does not meet expectations, it becomes a source of anguish and frustration.  Those who are mentally tough enjoy the challenges of this game; those who are not, are frustrated.

Winners in life, as well as in sports, are mentally tough.  What separates the winners from everyone else is how they deal with pain, adversity, pressure, challenges, and the unexpected.  No matter how difficult or uncomfortable the situation, the mentally tough do their thing.

Mental Preparation

Sports giants are people willing to pay the price for excellence.  Brooks Robinson took 200 ground balls a day from the time he was 12 year old until the end of his career.

Nolan Ryan is legendary for his dedication to his conditioning and his personal work habits.  In addition to having strong work habits, it is important to note the fact that dedication and effort is channeled toward specific performance goals.  On a day to day basis, the great athletes work on the things that are necessary to achieve their outcome goals.

Some may regard the hard work involved in developing the principles outlined in this book as a huge sacrifice, but a highly committed player doesn’t look at it as a sacrifice, but rather as a choice that involves sacrifice.  As a player, you need to decide what price you are willing to pay to become the best that you are capable of becoming- on and off the field.

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