Dealing with Frustration: Focal Points

Hey Guys,

Some of you may have heard of this, and some of you probably haven't, but this is another piece of valuable information regarding the mental game.  It's called a focal point.  You may see it commonly used by many major league baseball players.   That split second where they step off the mound or out of the box and look what seems like off into the distance, they're actually focused on something.  When you feel yourself tightening up with frustration, find something that you can stare at.  Think of only that thing.  It may be the logo on your bat, the top of the center field fence, or your shoelaces.  Whatever it is, make sure it is taking your mind off of the adversity.  Many people who try to read sports psychology think, "Well, if I just learn this one technique I'll be fine, because all the techniques do the same thing."  My opinion on that is, you're right.  Sports psychology does try to do one thing; help you deal with adverse situations, so that you can get the most out of your performance.

Let me pose this question.  There are two baseball players.  One has three major league tools, and the other has four.  Which player is the better baseball player?  Seems like a pretty simple question right?  Well it's the same thing with these mental techniques.  The player who has the most mental tools will be able to resort to different ones when they just don't have what it takes to perform one of them.  For example, let's say you've been struggling on the mound so badly that you can't even visualize yourself doing well.  It will happen.  And if you think it won't or that it doesn't, then your visualizations aren't as realistic as they need to be.  Anyway, when you're at that point with the game, you need to be able to turn to another arrow in your mental quiver to lock you into the game mentally.  Do you see what I mean?

Baseball is a reactionary sport.  You do not need to be thinking about the task at hand to hit a baseball, or throw a pitch.  You should've have done it enough in practice that your body knows how to do it.  The problem is that as humans, we like to think of the worst things that can happen.  So the next time you get those thoughts, or frustration step away and focus on something else that takes your mind off the task at hand. Then, get back into the game and REACT.

Tip of the Day: Focus on something that is at every ball park.  The human brain/body does better with routines.  If your focal point is different every game, your mind will begin to wander.  For example, Evan Longoria focuses on the top of the foul pole in left field every time he needs to get away during the game.

Thanks!