Analysis By Paralysis
Robots Don’t Play Baseball
In all sports, especially baseball, the term paralysis by analysis holds a common theme in why athletes may struggle or fall short of success, and that would be overthinking. It is very common to see athletes do an excellent job of performing in practice but fail to hit the mark when it comes to in-game situations due to increased pressure. Because of the increased pressure, that player hones in on their mechanics and tries to find a reason for why they are struggling, leading to a robotic-like feel and focusing more on their "how,” not the “what.” But how come this happens to players, even when they dedicate their lives to perfecting their craft and abilities?
When athletes decide to focus on every little part of their mechanics, it can disrupt the smooth and automatic movements that come naturally in practice. Imagine trying to walk up the steps, but you are trying to control how you take each step. You may be more likely to make mistakes or just take longer to get to the end of the steps. Baseball skills like swinging a bat or fielding a ball should be second nature, which creates quick reactions, eliminating overthinking.
Luckily, there are ways to get out of your own way when competing!
External Cues:
As a pitcher, instead of breaking down your mechanics when throwing, focus on the seams of the ball. Tell yourself how smooth the ball is or think about how nice the weather is (if it is to your liking, of course). These thoughts remove yourself from worrying too much about what is going on in the present moment and can eliminate overthinking in the “dead” time you may have.
Pre-Performance Routines:
Create short routines to keep yourself prepared ahead of the game. This way you are not second-guessing yourself heading into your game and allows you to trust the process.
High-Pressure Training:
When you’re in your next practice, embrace stressful situations or the things that worry you in game. Since practicing doesn’t hold as many consequences as in-game, you can work through your process of how you eliminate negative thoughts or the overthinking.
"What,” not “How”:
Ultimately, the outcome is more important than how it is delivered. If you were able to induce groundballs and flyballs, the little hitches in your delivery shouldn’t matter in the moment. As a hitter, if you are able to take healthy swings and hit several pitches thrown your way, why worry if your swing was ugly? Address these issues in the off-season or in practice; let them be when in-game.