My Six Components To The Mental Side Of Pitching

Success in pitching is contagious, and unfortunately so is failure. That is why, although it may not seem logical, it is much easier to pitch successfully after the preceding two or three outings have already been successful than to do so if they were not. Although pitching is physical, it's also a "frame of mind," one that is created by the way you "feel," or "perceive," opportunities on the mound.

The six key aspects of the mental part of pitching are the following:

1. Physical-mental preparation before game day. What can you do physically before game day (or in the days leading up to game day) to get yourself mentally prepared for success?

2. Putting on a game face. How do you feel? What can you do mentally to prepare for today's game?

3. How to think with hitters. How do you learn to think with different hitters, both before and during the at bat? Do you have a strategy for setting up batters?

4. How to handle failure. How do you stay mentally tough when you have failed? Those who develop a "short memory," letting the bad (and good) go will win over the long term. Stay even with your attitude.

5. Mental to practical: a typical appearance on the mound. How do you translate your mental preparation to an actual trip to the mound?

6. Long-term dedication and goals. What are your long-term goals and how do you prepare mentally for and stay focused on them?

Sure, you've got to keep working on the physical skills involved with pitching - your mechanics, your strength, the fundamentals, etc. But your mental toughness and aptitude will be what ultimately separates you from the competition, enabling you to be successful at pitching.