3 pieces of advice for hitters

Mental Game Training 

During the season is not the time to focus on mechanics, but on the things that matter most.

• Game Planning
• Approach
• Confidence
• Identity 

• Discipline
• Routine
   

If you want to work with me and improve any of those areas, click this link and fill out the form.

3 pieces of advice for hitters this season

1.     Less = More

The harder you try, the more you force something to happen, the worse the result will be.

2.     Simplify

The better the competition, the more you need to simplify.

3.     Learn not to care

You care, but can you learn not to care?

You’re going to feel bad at the plate

You’re going to swing at bad pitches

Can you learn not to care and move on?

We’ve been diving into mechanics lately, and I think it’s time to change it up and talk about something more relevant to what hitters will go through this season.

These pieces of advice are all things that I have learned from coaches and players over the years.

Before we get started, I want to note:

Hitting is an art, not a science.

Some things you read today may resonate with you, and others will make you scratch your head; both are okay.

You’re reading this to give ‘you’ ideas for yourself.

1.     Less = More

You want it to happen bad.

You tell yourself stories: 

“I’m 0-3 if I don’t come through this next AB, coach is going to put my teammate in my spot next game, and then if they do well, I’ll be on the bench the rest of season.

Okay, stay calm, don’t overthink this; first pitch that’s close, let it rip. Please, hitting gods, help me!”

 “I’m so late on his fastball; I need to start everything earlier this next pitch.

I hear everyone telling me I’m late in the dugout; come on, start your load earlier!”

How about we don’t do either one of those scenarios this season?

Yeah, you know what you’ll hit badly at times this season.

Your coach may replace you

The scout may leave after your 2 AB.

AND?

You don’t think the best hitters in the world have looked bad when they were younger?

Trust me, they did.
 

What they ‘learned’ not to do was panic.

They didn’t ‘try harder’ and force something to happen.

Think of it this way: do you have to try to squat 400 pounds?

Yes

If you took that same amount of effort and tried to hit a ball during the game, not practice the game, you probably wouldn’t be successful.

That’s not Patrick Jones telling you that; that’s me talking to 100s of coaches and players over the years.

I’m not smart; I just listen to smart people.

So when things get tough this season, don’t try to squat 400 lbs in the box; just focus on squatting the bar.

Nice and easy.

2.     Simplify

The better the competition, the more you need to simplify.

Everyone is going to face a good arm this season.

You don’t need to game plan harder than any other pitcher; if anything, you should do the opposite.

I love this video from Josh Donaldson, where he talks about his approach against different types of pitchers.

 Notice how it gets more specific the better the pitcher is?
 

This is simplifying.

He’s not trying to cover every part of the zone against an elite pitcher; he’s honing in on one spot.

3.     Learn not to care

You care, but can you learn not to care?

You’re going to feel off at the plate

You’re going to swing at bad pitches

You’re going to have trouble seeing the ball

Can you learn not to care and move on?

Think of not caring as a skill.

The only way you get better at a skill is to practice.

So, start visualizing mistakes, and then visualize your reaction to those mistakes.

Summary: 

1.     Less = More
2.     Simplify
3.     Learn not to care

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