D3 Lives Matter: Mental Toughness

"Softball is 90% mental and 10% physical," a phrase I hear more times than I can count, yet it remains one of the most accurate ways to describe this sport of failure. In softball, a player is considered successful if they get a hit three out of ten times, which, when put into perspective, is not actually a high success rate. This is why the mental part of the game is just as important to work on and train as the physical parts of the game, which my coach has been emphasizing greatly this year, and why we are applying this as another aspect of our training.

To prepare for the start of winter practices next week, our team has been primarily focusing on strengthening the mental side of the game. This week, we participated in a four-hour mental mindset workshop with Coach Heidi, the mental strength coach, where we learned how to reshape our thoughts, including how to turn negative thoughts into positive ones and how to get out of our own heads when emotions begin to interfere with performance. One of the key tools we learned was our personal "reset routine," which includes taking a deep breath, saying a specific word to regain focus, and performing a physical action to symbolically wipe away the mistake or negative thought. After learning this technique, we discussed various game scenarios and how to apply this reset mindset effectively in each situation.

Additionally, over winter break, our coach assigned the entire team to read The Twin Thieves, a book that focuses on the mental side of the sport rather than physical competition. The book explores the internal battles athletes face, specifically how confidence and doubt, referred to as the "twin thieves," can both steal performance. It emphasized the importance of mindset, self-control, and mental discipline in athletic success. Later this week, our team will be participating in a book club discussion to reflect the main themes and apply them to our own experiences in the game.

Overall, I believe this workshop and the book will serve as good building tools as we prepare for the upcoming season and work toward achieving the goals set by our coach. Thank you for reading this week's segment of D3 Lives Matter. As Coach Heidi reminded us, "Don't let the highs get too high or the lows too low.