Playing well under pressure.

There is a great article written by former Ga Southern HC Jack Stallings that can be located on the High School Baseball Web. It is a great read. You can print off a copy for yourself and give one to your kid.

hsbaseballweb.com

 

"We create

pressure by how we think or act, not in the situation we are in at the moment. The difference in playing a routine game in the middle of the season or the final game in the college world series is not the game itself, because the game is always the same, but in the mental attitude of the player."

"To place any more importance on one game is to get out of the consistent preparation so vitally needed to be a consistent athlete who can perform properly under pressure."

I would suggest to every hs player - read this article. It is outstanding.

 

Coach- can you type the link again. I'm looking forward to reading it.

 

http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/under_pressure.htm

 

you never know when it will be your last chance

 

Greg Dale - Duke Sports Psychologist

Great article!! Thanks for sharing. Another great resource is Greg Dale, a sports psychologist at Duke. He's worked with many athletes....from high scholl to professional. He's got a couple of great DVDs that talk about mentally preparing yourself, how to react to mistakes, self-talk, performing under pressure, etc.....
If you google his name you'll find the DVDs.....very worthwhile!!
Take care all!

 

GREAT players regardless of the sport do not feeeel pressure whatsoever! Most importantly, THEY are able to slow the game down in their mind (mentally). They arre prepared and know what to do given a or any situation of pressure!

 

Great article

What I really like about this article is it talks about the importance of practicing with the same intensity that you intend to play a game with. There should be no more pressure in a game situation to make a play than there is in a practice to make a play. The focus in practice to execute properly should be the same as the focus put forth in an actual game. I have always believed you will play like you practice. You should practice like you want to play. In the players mind there should be no difference in the importance of executing in practice as their is in a game. Because ultimately they are the same. Players that understand this play relaxed and with confidence because they have put themselves in these situations thousands of times and they know no difference.