The Sioux Falls People For Youth are sponsoring the fastpitch softball pitching league again this year!  Based on space availability the pitching league will be held at 2 different locations this winter.

2012 Pitching Clinic dates/times/locations:

At Volunteers of America: 12/under from 8:00-8:50pm and 13/above 9:00-9:50pm

At Legends: 12/under from 7:30-8:20 and 13/above 8:30-9:20pm

Thursday, Feb. 2nd:   8-10pm      VOA Gym        (1309 W. 51st St.)

Thursday, Feb. 9th     8-10pm      VOA Gym

Thursday, Feb. 16th   8-10pm      VOA Gym

Tuesday, Feb. 21st    7:30-9:30pm   Legends      (1321 N. Cleveland Ave.)

Tuesday, Feb. 28th    7:30-9:30pm   Legends

Tuesday, March 6th   7:30-9:30pm   Legends

Tuesday, March 13th 7:30-9:30pm   Legends

Tuesday, March 20th 7:30-9:30pm   Legends

Tuesday, March 27th 7:30-9:30pm   Legends

Tuesday, April 3rd     7:30-9:30pm   Legends  

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Cost:  $1.00

Balls (Incrediballs) are provided

Youth Catchers must wear masks

For all players the greatest task is trying to see their hardwork pay off with success on the field.  However, while players put their bodies through vigorous workouts or spend hours pitching or hitting ball after ball, they spend very little time improving their mental game.  As we have all seen, a huge part of the game comes down to mind over matter: believing in your abilities, visualizing properly, and being in tune with your body (body awareness). 

First, a competitor must learn how to relax and believe in their abilities.  The more a player properly prepares and trains before the season, the more confidence they will have when the season arrives.  While some may confuse this with being cocky or arrogant, it is not so.  A player who has achieved success does not need to draw attention to themselves by showing off because their ability and actions already speak volumes through their skilled performance.  However, they approach every situation as an opportunity to capitalize on it.  They have the mind set that if the game is on the line they want to be in the situation because they understand that if they pull through, it will leave a lasting impact, and if they don’t, people usually will forget right away and yet they went down trying.  These athletes will “Dare To Be Great!” and are willing to take a RISK to be successful!  No great athlete is hesitant; they just go for it.

Once players have the right attitude they must continually work on proper visualization.  This is a key component every champion will say is vital but very few players practice it regularly and do it properly.  Visualization means relaxing the body and literally sharpening your focus.  Before the situation arises such as being on deck before an at bat, or the hour before the game, a player should play out in detail positive outcomes.  An example would be standing in the on-deck circle blocking out everything else but the pitcher’s release; and while timing the pitcher you visually watch and feel yourself hitting a line-drive double to the outfield gap.  In addition, the athlete should say a few positive words to themselves that keeps their mindset in the green “GO” zone. 

Lastly, once an athlete has the right attitude and mindset it’s important to practice body awareness.  A player needs to remember that their body has done a million good swings or hit their proper targets several times already.  Now when they arrive at a game they need to relax, trust, and let their body take over.  This body awareness is what helps athletes gain better consistency in their practices as well as game performances.  An example would be a hitter who constantly drops their hands trying to work on keeping their hands strong.  If the hitter can reflect and recognize after each swing the difference between how a good swing felt versus one not so good, they will start to gain consistent outcomes.  In order to practice body awareness, an athlete or coach must slow the workout down.  It is not always about how many swings a player can get in, but how they are truly recognizing their body performance and establishing “GOOD” muscle memory.

I hope athletes will remember to take some of these mental tips to the gym as they begin their pre-season practices.  These tips will help athletes reach that next level and see positive results! 

~Jenny