Mechanics, mechanics, mechanics. It’s all anyone wants to talk about. It makes total sense. I mean, it’s the thing we see. The swing is front and center and the most enjoyable aspect of hitting to work on. For a far back as I can remember the bulk of hitting has always had a focus on the swing. With all the latest technology we’ve only gone deeper down the rabbit hole. Unfortunately, just like the proverbial iceberg the swing is just the tip. The bulk of what drives performance in hitting lies beneath the surface.
Tag: Mental Coaching
How Effort Levels Impact Swing Repeatability & Hitter Performance
Something that’s rarely discussed in hitting circles is how the effort with which we swing impacts our overall level of performance. Recently, I’ve heard a lot of hitting “gurus” tell hitters that they need to be swinging with full intent or they’ll say things like “try to drop a tank!” But is this the best approach? Does this approach lead to consistent performance? Does swinging with 100% effort allow a hitter to maximize their power production? The simple answer would be yes. Our conditioning tells us that the harder we try the more success we’ll experience. However, when we dig a little deeper we recognize that peak performance occurs when a hitter is more effortless than effortful.
Gratitude for Peak Performance
During this time of year you begin to read more and more on social medial about people looking back on the year and reflecting on what has transpired that they are grateful for. Taking time each day to cultivate a sense of gratitude has been proven to help people reduce stress, be happier, and gain more of a sense of fulfillment in their lives. But does it have the power to increase performance at the plate?
Your Inner Coach
If you’re as old as I am then you remember the cartoons from the ’80’s and ’90’s. The ones where one of the characters would be visited by two alter-egos that sat on each shoulder. One would always represent what was good, kind, and right and was portrayed wearing angel wings and sporting a halo. While the other represented something negative, usually anger, hate, or revenge. This character was depicted as the devil, probably colored red with a pointy tail and horns. Ultimately, it was the decision of the character in question as to which voice he listened to.