MMV #004: A 3-Step Process to Improve the Mental Game

Jan 23, 2023

We all know the importance of the mental game, but how many of us coaches actually work on it with our players?

I am not here to say that a strong mindset will improve your players skill set, but I do believe it will maximize their current skill set.

First, let's define the mental game.

My definition of the mental game is your ability to focus on the task in front of you, regardless of what happened in the past or could happen in the future.

We have all coached players that are on both ends of this spectrum.

There are the players that get stuck thinking about what happened last batter, last inning, or last game. Usually it's the negative things that happened and they fail to realize, all that matters is the next pitch.

There are also the players that focus on the future. Maybe they've started the game with a 123 inning and they are already thinking about throwing a no hitter or a shutout.

Both ends of the spectrum are a distraction from what matters most, the present moment.

I want to go through 3 steps you can use to help your players improve their mental game.

Step 1: Create a culture where it is okay to fail

Step 2: Reward players for good process, not good results

Step 3: Show your players you care about them, regardless of performance

Let's dive in.

Step 1: Create a culture where it is okay to fail

Failure is something we never want to happen, but it is inevitable. The sooner you can accept that the better. Truth be told, failure is good. It means there is something to learn and something to be gained.

If as a coach I criticize my players every time they fail, it is going to create a fear of failure. They are going to be the player that gets stuck thinking about the past because they know they are going to get yelled at after the inning or game.

When players operate out of fear, they play more reserved and take less chances. They play it safe.

Extraordinary teams are aggressive and play with confidence. Even if it doesn't go the way we planned, there is still something to learn.

Demonstrate to your players that you fail at times as a coach. Show them that it is okay to take chances. A big reason players play tight is because their coach is tight.

Be the example your players need.

Step 2: Reward players for good process, not good results

It can be much easier to look at a box score and see who played well and who didn't. But does it actually tell the whole story?

I would argue no.

A large portion of results are out of the players control, yet we judge them primarily based on their stats (usually not the right stats either).

Let's look at an example of two pitching performances.

Player A:

5 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K's

Player B:

5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 3 K's

If we went off of runs we would take player B's performance, but we know that high walks and low strikeouts are not sustainable for long-term success.

Focusing on the process gives you consistency on what to evaluate and where you need to improve.

Step 3: Show your players you care about them, regardless of performance

It may not be intentional, but we have all seen coaches (or are guilty ourselves) that treat the better players differently from the rest. This describes a transactional coach. It is all about what benefits you. What makes YOU look good. Who wins games for YOU.

To be a transformational leader, it starts with caring for each and every one of your players.

Transformational > Transactional.