Focusing On Your Strengths

Too often athletes become too focused on aspects of their game that they considered weaknesses.

While you want to have a complete game, focusing on weaknesses lowers confidence and it only makes you avoid these weaknesses. You’ll reach much more of our potential when you design a plan geared towards playing to our strengths.

Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati Reds rookie, is one of the most exciting players in baseball.

Hamilton doesn’t pitch and rarely does an opportunity to bat or play in the field.

Why does Billy Hamilton generate such excitement?

Hamilton is fast with an amazing proficiency for stealing bases.

In the minor leagues, Hamilton set a single-season record with 155 steals last season. Hamilton, 23, was called up in late August and stole four bases and scored three runs without making a single plate appearance in his first four major-league games. All three runs either tied or won a game for the Reds, who are in the playoff hunt.

Hamilton has yet to be caught stealing in the majors.

With Hamilton’s speed, he can steal bases, distract pitchers or cause an errant throw from a catcher creating havoc on the base paths.

Walt Jocketty, General Manager of the Reds, recognizes the importance of Hamilton’s speed on the base paths:

“He’s a tremendous baserunner with great instincts that really knows how to upset a ballgame… He keeps the opposition on edge all the time.”

Base stealing is a great asset but also very limiting.

Part of Hamilton’s plan for improvement is incorporating his speed into other areas of his game.

Hamilton converted from shortstop to center-field to take advantage of his speed and has worked on his defensive skills in the International League.

Jockey said, “There’s really more to his game,” claiming Hamilton was arguably the best defensive center fielder in the International League this year.

Hamilton is also looking to increase his on-base percentage and improving his hitting in order to provide more opportunities on the base paths.

What are your strengths as a ball player?

How can you build on your strengths to get you to another level as an athlete?

Focusing on your strengths is an empowering attitude that increases confidence, provides a sense of control and builds positive momentum.

Playing to your strengths helps athletes get to that next level.

While balance is important as an athlete, remember you cannot be the best at everything. Find those aspects of your game in which you excel. Take pride in sharpening those skills you perform well and focus on those aspects in games.

Competing from your strengths:

List your strengths as a ball player, such as speed or good hands.
Identify ways to incorporate your strengths during games.
Look for ways to increase your strengths.
Improve two areas of your game that are not strengths.
Create a plan to improve these areas in practice.

Instilling Confidence in Baseball And Softball Players

Confidence, more than any other mental game attribute, is vital for your team’s success. If your players have it and know how to keep it, they maximize their success. Your team cannot reach their full potential unless each player can harness the power of stable and enduring self-confidence–so your team can perform as a confident team.

Your players might possess a ton of physical talent, have great coaching, and train harder or practice more than anyone else in your league, but if they do not have the self-confidence to match, your team can’t utilize this talent.

“Instilling Confidence in Baseball and Softball Players” program consists of one 72-minute audio CD that includes 7 days of confidence-fueling exercises. You’ll also receive a simple-to-follow 74-page coaches’ manual that guides you through the 7 team session you’ll conduct!

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