As a long time coach and
softball parent nothing is more frustrating than seeing a player look great in
practice only to see that same player’s game day performance fall far short of its
potential, particularly at pivotal moments of the game.
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“We added mental performance lessons with John for our
daughter, and in just a few short months the improvement in her performance as
a pitcher has been immense! She now shows so much more confidence, tenacity and
focus than ever before. She recently pitched her 14u team to the ASA Western National
Championships. Thanks John!” --Sandy, San Diego, CA
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| Alison and I with her ASA National Champs Trophy |
Alison had all the talent in the world as a pitcher, but was not harnessing it properly. Her game day performances were erratic, frustrating and disappointing.
When I started working with Alison she was struggling as the #3 pitcher on her team. At her State Tournament she pitched only two innings in the circle the entire weekend.
We immediately went to work shifting her thoughts about herself and her abilities. We improved her focus and determination. I gave Alison simple things to say to herself and do during her pre-game routine and in the circle.
Within a few weeks Alison began to believe in her abilities and summon the focus she needed to start dominating. Balls turned into strikes and swings turned into strikeouts instead of hits. Seemingly overnight Alison became her team's #1 pitcher. She steadily started to dominate in every game she pitched. She was truly reaching her potential as a pitcher and enjoying the game so much more. Her coach was amazed at her improvement.
The pinnacle of her 2012 season saw Alison pitch the final two championship games, back to back, yielding only 2 runs in 14 innings and leading her team to the 14u ASA Western National Championship.
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Like you I have spent a considerable amount on private hitting and pitching lessons for my daughter as well as a substantial investment in equipment, travel and dues. When our kid’s performance falls short of expectations we sometimes question our investment, don’t we?
I’d like to offer you a way to insure a better return
on your softball investment, with private mental performance training.
John specializes in working with pitchers and has had great success improving focus, confidence and determination in the circle.
John specializes in working with pitchers and has had great success improving focus, confidence and determination in the circle.
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Contact John for a free 30
minute mental performance assessment call, where you can ask him about
any specific performance issues your athlete may have at:
softballsmarts101@gmail.com.
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Although physical training
and private hitting or pitching lessons are essential to your athlete’s mastery
of a tough game, far too often I witness how such private training does not carry
over to the field on game day.
Why does this happen? It
is simply a “mental” disconnect between knowing how to perform a task in a high
comfort zone environment (practice) and then actually executing it in a low comfort zone environment (games).
Physical skills training
alone are, therefore, not enough to maximize your daughter’s game day
potential. She needs the combination of physical training and pproper mental performance
training to perform at a consistently high level (just like the Olympians).
Without proper mental
training young athletes are often incapable of coping with the rigors of such a
difficult game while playing in a competitive travel environment.
There are myriad reasons
why young athletes don’t perform to their capabilities:
- Lack of self-confidence (causing hesitation in decision making).
- Pre-game or in-game anxiety (most of the girls I work with have told me they experience this; also known as "performance anxiety").
- The burden of sky high expectations (internal- wanting to be perfect or external – from parents, coaches or teammates).
- The inability to focus and concentrate at key moments of the game.
- Difficulty overcoming game adversities and failures.
I call these mental performance killers because, if
not conquered, they will sabotage your athlete’s game at the most pivotal moments of the game.
In the end it all comes down
to improving your daughter’s performance when it matters most...on game day. My goal in coaching and in my mental performance practice is to
help young athletes to reach their full potential on the field while playing
the game with as much joy and passion as possible. After all…softball should be fun first,
shouldn’t it?
Free Introductory Call. Not sure if mental performance training is right for your athlete? Schedule a complimentary 30 minute introductory call with John Kelly where he will explain the process and show you how he can develop a fully customized "Mental Performance Game Plan" for your athlete to help her reach her true softball potential!
Don't leave your athlete's fastpitch future to chance. Contact John Kelly today and see how he can help your athlete to successfully reach her goals.
To learn more contact John at: SoftballSmarts101@gmail.com
