Better Players, Better People: Mental Skills for Softball

with Leslie Huntington,
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Head Coach;
National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2021;
2008 NCAA Division III National Champions;
4x WIAC Coach of the Year;
2008 NFCA Coaching Staff of the Year;
former Simpson College Head Coach;
1997 and 1999 D-III National Champions at Simpson;
over 400 career wins

Most softball coaches will agree that the game requires as much or more mental toughness as it does physical toughness. However, coaches tend to devote way more practice time to the physical skills, while neglecting mental skills.

In this video, Leslie Huntington delves into the practical mental skills necessary to succeed in softball and offers easy-to-implement ways to incorporate them within your team.

Being Present and Focus

One of the many challenges the game of softball presents is how to stay present in the moment. Coach Huntington takes you through a guided meditation designed to improve focus on breathing. You'll learn how to keep your focus on each breath to keep your mind locked into the present moment.

Softball requires elite players to focus for long periods of time without distraction. Huntington uses a concentration grid exercise to allow softball players to test and practice their focus skills.

E+R=O and Routines

Learn the equation to help improve your mental game! Coach Huntington provides thoughts on controlling that which you can control, and having the correct response regardless of the situation. She teaches the "pause method" to help improve your response ability.

Next, Huntington talks about the traffic light and staying in a green light mentality, which can be accomplished by setting routines. She also explains how to use a refocus and release routine when something goes wrong on the field.

This video from Coach Huntington will give you everything you win the mental side of the game of softball. Rise above the rest with superior mental training!

92 minutes. 2020.