Softball Tips on 3 Common Mistakes Softball Players Make

Youth Softball Coaching Tips

By Marc Dagenais

Every player has a bad habit that prevents her from taking her game to the next level. These bad habits include playing the game with poor mechanics, and not caring about how some things that she does affect her game.

But these habits can be corrected, of course. If you see any of the common mistakes that softball players make in the list below, I'll show you how to get it right once and for all. That way, you'll be able to perform better than ever before.

Mistake #1: Poor Diet

Almost everyone is prone to making this mistake. However, the effects of poor diet on the body are more apparent in an athlete. That's because athletes have more stringent requirements when it comes to the food that they eat.

One of the mistakes that players commit when it comes to diet is that they're not eating enough. Elite athletes typically have higher calorie requirements than normal people. That's because they need more fuel to perform better and higher content of nutrients that will help them recover from stress and fatigue.

Another one is eating unhealthy food. Softball players are often dragged into temptation into doing this, especially during road games where healthy food might be hard to find. So, what players do is stuff themselves with fatty foods like fries, burgers and hotdogs.

Mistake #2: Not Performing Warm-Ups, Cool Downs

Warming up and cooling down are part of every athlete's life. However, there are times when you get too excited to play the game, or too stoked after winning a game that you miss doing these things.

When you miss warming up or cooling down, it could take a toll on your body. Failing to warm-up could cause injuries such as stretched muscles and sprain. Meanwhile, not cooling down after a game could end up with sore muscles the following day.

So, make sure you spend around 10-15 minutes each for warm-ups and cool downs before and after a game or training.

Mistake #3: Not Mentally Preparing for the Game

Softball is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Mentally tough players are those who strike fear in their opponents' hearts simply by the way they walk on the field. Also, being mentally tough means you're not afraid to step on the field at every game.

So, how do you become mentally prepared to play the game? One thing is by imagining yourself playing the game even before you step on the field. Imagine yourself on the batter's box, eye-to-eye with the pitcher.

Also, it would help if you take an aggressive and confident stance once you're on the field. It's called putting on your game face. Having an air of confidence tells your opponents that you're not someone they want to mess with.

Now if you really want to be a good softball player, the ones I showed you above are some common mistakes you have to start avoiding from now on.

So, always remember to eat right, give yourself enough time for warm ups and cool downs, and finally, mentally prepare yourself before every game. It's a winning combination that always works.

Apply these softball tips so you wont get the same mistakes other softball players make.

Marc Dagenais is a Softball Peak Performance Coach that helps softball players turn their athletic talent into extraordinary performances and help coaches get more out of their players, turn their struggling team around or get an edge over their opponents. Visit us to sign-up to get our FREE softball pitching tips!

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