[Editor's Note: Some of this stuff DOES seem "out there". As Alan Jaeger in his book (note on right) points out, we in the west are not used to thinking this way. Maybe visualization, sure. But the Zone of Silence? Well if you've seen the Kevin Kostner film 'For the Love of the Game" where he does his "clear the mechanism" bit on the mound and everything - sound and crowd - disappears, then you'll appreciate what this is about. We understand that most of your teammates will not get this stuff. That is for them to decide. We encourage you to try. - Richard Todd, Head Coach, WebBall.]

It isn't about meditation or mantras. And it's more than visualization.

Reggie Jackson, Orel Hershiser, Kirby Puckett, Devon White, Brady Anderson, Tony Gwynn. Many pro players have used mental training. This experience of success doesn't come by reading the words below. You have to believe - have confidence - practice - execute - enjoy.


Mental Training can help you learn new mechanics, practice established techniques, and perform smoothly in competition.
To help you perform more efficiently, Mental Training combines drills and exercises - while working out or doing reps in practice. You can do it!


The desire to excel and improve is in all of us!

• Athletes perform best and learn new techniques fastest training 50% mental / 50% physical.
• Limits are only perceived, never proven until tested.
• Athletic ability is a learned behavior.
• How you perform right now is not all that's possible.
• Most of us use only 5-7% of our mental abilities. Tap the other 90%+ and immediately give yourself an overwhelming advantage in sports.

The more you put in, the more you take out.

• Winning as a motivator has its limitations.
• Great athletes find a purpose in their play that moves them beyond the desire to win or gain recognition.
• Change limiting beliefs into unlimited desire to improve.
• Find your highest purpose for playing. The shift in attitude alone will increase your ability to perform.
• Make your commitment to practice a goal in itself.

Practice the way you play. Play the way you practice.

• Look at practice as a way to find out about yourself and your limitations/abilities.
• Mental Modeling is key - e.g. observe differences between expected pitch movement and actual, observe errors in your swing reaction, then get the next pitch.
• Set performance goals and find ways to measure your practice improvement (not just game stats).
• Some practice measurements. What to count...
  • # of square-to-the-ball fielding plays,
    
  • # of accurate base-to-base throws,
    
  • # of clean relays,
    
  • # of good top-hand-power swings, etc.

Positive Self-Talk is a technique that can backfire. Those affirmations ("I am a good hitter") or quick auditory commands ("fluid swing" or "full extension") only work if you believe.

• Visualization (closing your eyes, picturing yourself hitting the line drive, or turning the D.P.) only works if it combines knowledge, imagination, belief.
• True belief comes from confidence - from the experience of success. Until you prove yourself, it's okay to adopt the beliefs of successful players - possibilities, challenges, performance boundaries. Model these beliefs systematically until you internalize them as your own.

• The ability to perform on game day is the product of weeks and months of mentally draining practice.
• Included game-day intensity as a mental practice.
• Good mental habits in practice include concentration, composure, confidence, and decision making.

The only pressure of competition is self-imposed fear.

• Remain in the here-and-now. Ignore the emotional baggage of scores, innings, pitch counts.
• Focus your breathing, vision, muscle memory.
• Don't change from what has worked so well in practice. Execute your mechanics the same way as always.
• Block out the crowd, the trash talk, your own internal dialogue, and even your own teammates.

The Zone of Silence...

• The mind goes quiet, everything is in slow motion.
• No self-talk, no reviewing mechanics, no performance instructions, no chatter.
• The mind becomes still and silent.
• You want your senses in a heightened state of awareness - don't break this state with internal dialogue.
• Read and react - without conscious thought.
• It's the instant of peak performance. You're in the zone.