I wish I could figure out a remote control for my DD and my players, one equipped with a "control your emotions" dial or switch.
Controlling Pitchers Emotions.
- Thread starter SyndreSoftball
- Start date
Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch
Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.
I wish I could figure out a remote control for my DD and my players, one equipped with a "control your emotions" dial or switch.
- Oct 22, 2009
- 1,779
- 0
Sorry to jump in late on this one. I have a student who had those mental control issues, even during lessons. If we were working on something and she couldn't get it right away she'd get frustrated. If she had trouble with something she'd been able to do before she'd get frustrated. You could see it in her face and body language. Her dad told me she'd do the same thing in games.
We started working on that as part of her lessons. If I saw any hint of anger or frustration I would talk to her, tell her why she can't let that happen, and that she needs to learn to forgive herself. We talked a lot about keeping your composure, how the team takes it cue from the pitcher, all that stuff. The fact that I was her pitching coach, not her father, helped a lot. I did it with a sense of humor or lightness too, and she started adopting that same attitude. It probably took a good year, maybe more.
The payoff, though, came last weekend. Her dad sent me an article from a local newspaper where she was quoted. (Not sure why the paper was covering a small local fall ball tournament, but kudos to them.) She talked about having a bit of control trouble in one inning of an otherwise good game. She said something to the effect of "I just put it out of my mind and let my mechanics take over." I couldn't have scripted a better quote for her. Her dad knew I'd be happy to see that this was her approach.
It's a huge change for this girl. She's very driven, and athletic enough that a lot of things come easily. So it goes to show it can happen. Just don't expect it to happen overnight.
We started working on that as part of her lessons. If I saw any hint of anger or frustration I would talk to her, tell her why she can't let that happen, and that she needs to learn to forgive herself. We talked a lot about keeping your composure, how the team takes it cue from the pitcher, all that stuff. The fact that I was her pitching coach, not her father, helped a lot. I did it with a sense of humor or lightness too, and she started adopting that same attitude. It probably took a good year, maybe more.
The payoff, though, came last weekend. Her dad sent me an article from a local newspaper where she was quoted. (Not sure why the paper was covering a small local fall ball tournament, but kudos to them.) She talked about having a bit of control trouble in one inning of an otherwise good game. She said something to the effect of "I just put it out of my mind and let my mechanics take over." I couldn't have scripted a better quote for her. Her dad knew I'd be happy to see that this was her approach.
It's a huge change for this girl. She's very driven, and athletic enough that a lot of things come easily. So it goes to show it can happen. Just don't expect it to happen overnight.
Sounds like my girl, like you said even in lessons or when we are practicing she will get furstrated. Thanks Ken good stuff.
I am a big believer in starting the mental stuff early. It is as important to discuss with them as the pitching lessons themselves. I like a lot of John Michael Kelly's stuff (Softball Smarts on FB). One of our pitchers exhibits similar traits as your daughter. I have found it is very important for me to talk with her throughout each game and reassure her that the bad pitches, walks, hit batters, etc.... is ok an not to worry about it. I make a lot of jokes and keep her in a happier mood and it seems to be working with her. I have found I can be effective with other players but I have a harder time being effective with my own DD. It takes a lot to get her rattled on the softball field be once she does, it takes praise from other coaches and parents to get her leveled out. Praise from me does not work as well. You may enlist help from other coaches on the team if your not able to be effective.
JMK's work also appears here now. Check out the very bottom in the blogs section.
I have heard this same thing from parents and coaches more times than I can count, and it's equally true for me.
Now can you work that magic on my DD?
Similar threads
