Do you find yourself daydreaming while at bat?
You could be sitting in the dugout, standing on first base, or waiting your turn in the on deck circle; but for some reason your thoughts wander. You miss a pitch, you’re slow to get out of the box, or you’re not “in” the game.
If this happens to you – you’re not alone. Maintaining focus throughout an entire game is difficult even for seasoned veterans.
That’s why I’d like to provide a mental reset which is easy to utilize at any time to help you refocus.
This is known as the “Five Keys”.
What Are the Five Keys?
Regardless of where you are – on the field, on base, in the dugout, or in the on-deck circle – you should ask yourself the following 5 questions prior to every pitch:
1. What is the count?
2. How many outs are left?
3. How many base runners are currently on base?
4. What do I do on a ground ball?
5. What do I do on a fly ball/line drive?
That’s it – simply asking those 5 questions will give you 5 brief, focused moments.
When you answer those 5 questions, you are not merely thinking – you are preparing.
Why This Will Work
Those 5 questions do something very important – they take your focus away from inside your own head and place it back into the game.
Rather than worrying, over-thinking, or losing focus – you’ll become:
• Aware of the current situation,
• Readied for the incoming ball,
• Focused on reacting rather than panicking.
When you’re focused on the game like that, the game seems to slow down. Your ability to track the ball improves. You’ll know exactly how to act if the ball comes to you.
And yes – it is going to be extremely challenging to perform this on every pitch. However – that is the goal.
If you make a commitment to utilizing the Five Keys on every pitch (whether it is in a game or in practice), I promise you that you will maintain a greater level of focus and confidence.
What Happens When You Get Distracted?
The good news is that losing focus is not failure. Losing focus is human.
Don’t be too harsh with yourself if you find yourself drifting off. Simply reset.
Take a pause.
Run through the 5 keys again.
Re-lock it back in.
That little reset can alter the remainder of your inning…or the remainder of your game.
Coaches Take Notice Too
There is also an additional benefit. Coaches are able to see when you consistently use this pre-pitch routine.
This small visible cue – the fist pump, the reset, the focused body language – lets your coach know that you’re ready, you’ve been prepared, and you’re engaged.
It Matters!
Final Thoughts
Mastering the mental aspects of baseball does not require complex drills or lengthy routines. At times, all you need is one simple technique you can depend upon, pitch after pitch.
Remember the 5 keys.
Use them often.
And when your focus fades – reset and go again.
Mastery of the Mind = Mastery of the Gut.