Baseball Swing Parasites and How to Debug Your Game - Part 3 - Self-Doubt |
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By: Nate Barnett Posted: 2008-07-16 06:59:39 |
| This is the third article in this three-part series on hitting parasites. Do a quick search for the previous articles to round out the readings.The first two articles dealt with parasites of the physical part of hitting a baseball. This final article discusses the mental baseball parasite of self-doubt and how it can debilitate your game. Since what goes on in your head while up at the plate can play a large role on how your body performs, it only seems fitting that we dissect this mental parasite thoroughly.Parasite #3 - Self-doubtBecause hitting is such a mental performance, zero tolerance for self-doubt must be the objective. The mind works as a giant and elaborate computer than constantly sends messages to the body giving directives on how to perform. Self-doubt parasites eat away at the wiring between the mental computer and the body. This causes athletes to become uncertain in many of their movements and in the art of hitting a baseball, there is no time for uncertainty. Here are some prime self-doubt situations where parasites hop on board if your mental game is not right.1. Late in the game and having an O-fer day2. Full count when having a poor day3. 0-2, 1-2 counts4. Pitcher with a good pitch (fast fastball, curveball, etc)The negative affects to the baseball swing self-doubt causes are numerous. Mainly, it causes the hitter to resort to defensive hitting techniques which is demonstrated by hitting behind in the count or swinging at very few fastballs early in the count. Many players who are prone to the self-doubt parasite tend to be streaky and inconsistent hitters. This defensiveness will only cause prolonged frustration which then fuels more self-doubt and more frustration.So how do you debug your system and keep the self-doubt parasite out?1. Understand why self-doubt and failure is occurring and begin to have others help with the problem.2. Know your swing inside and out and find a hitting coach who knows your swing who will help you through inconsistencies.3. Have a mentor who is baseball specific who you can call and receive guidance from.4. Relax, baseball is full of failures. A baseball season is like a marathon and not a sprint.5. Be consistent on working on your strengths during practice. On a scale of 1-10, work to get your strengths at 8 or above. Bring weaknesses up to a 5 or 6. You can afford a couple small holes in swings, or some inabilities to hit certain pitches, all the way up into high school baseball. But the key is what you do with a pitch in your preferred hitting zone that will make all the difference in the world for your confidence.There is one common remedy for all the hitting parasites I've shared in these past three articles. That is, hard work. I don't mean for it to sound cliche, it's just no truly good hitters develop and rid themselves of hitting parasites without it mixed into a solid dosage of baseball drills.Nate Barnett is owner of BMI Baseball at http://bmibaseball.com His new FREE ebook, Toxic Baseball: Are you polluting your game? can be found on the main BMI Baseball website and discusses in more manner depth how to deal with failure in baseball. |
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