Focusing the Mind - Prt 1

August 2025

During workouts especially with the high school players I work with we talk considerably about the mental side of the game.  As coaches we do repetitive drills with players for different physical aspects of the game…but…there is more to this than just physical hitting.  I personally set goals for the players I coach and one of those is to hit 50 balls with an error rate of 1 ball out of ten.  We do this to build muscle memory physically but I personally believe it it even more important to build mental memory - keeping the mind engaged.  It does not matter how well a player can hit the ball if that same player cannot focus the mind and endure points mentally.  Some statistics I have looked up show that on the Junior level approximately 70% of points end with the first four strokes - serve, return, hit, hit - point over.  Another 20% end within the 5th thru 8th strokes.  So if you are able to hit three solid balls on any one point you have a 90% chance to win that point.  Certainly your opponent does also but it shows the importance of keeping the mind active.   More on this later but for now…. 

Go hit ‘em good and most important HAVE FUN!

“Square Up, Stand Tall, Step n Hit”