You Play Like You Practice in Softball
Have you ever heard a coach use the saying, “you play like you practice?” That statement couldn’t be truer in the sport of softball. The entire game of softball is based on repetition, quality repetition to be more specific. At times it can be easy to go through the motions, this often happens when practices or games get long, or the athlete gets mentally tired.
Team and players improve in practice; therefore, it is important to get the most out of those practices to maximize the return. Every softball player will play how they practice.
“I will do it in a game,” this is also a common phrase used by young softball players who run out of focus or patience at practice. This statement couldn’t’ be more false, and it’s important to stress to players, especially the young ones, the importance of practice and doing things the correct way because it will carry over to games. Not only do players develop physical skills at practice, but they also learn about the game, their teammates, their coaches, and even themselves. If a player refuses to run out a pop fly, or doesn’t go full speed for a foul ball and lets it drop in practice, how can they expect to make that catch or get to an extra base on a dropped pop fly during a game? You play how you practice.
A softball player can have all of the talents in the world, but the mental game is just as important as the physical one, if not more. It takes an elite athlete to be able to hit thousands of balls off a tee or throw consistent strikes for an hour long pitching workout without breaking focus. Even the most elite athletes succumb to going through the motions. When this happens, it is encouraged to take a mental break, or move on to a new drill or switch from hitting to fielding for a new look. It’s important for coaches to identify when his or her athletes lose focus and need to regroup. It’s common for team practices to get long and drawn out, especially when teams work on defensive plays – it takes cooperation and focus from every single player on the field as well as the coaches to complete one of those practices in a timely manner.
In softball, you play like you practice. If a softball player shows up every day for practice with a positive attitude, an “I’m going to get better today” mindset, and a focus on one big thing or a few little things to work on, they will have a productive practice. If players can get 1% better each time they show up to practice, by game day, they will be 100% ready to play. Practice is the time and place to work on things and pull an athlete out of her comfort zone. If outfielders go all out and dive for balls at practice, they will make game saving diving catches in games. If pitchers throw every pitch to the absolute best of their ability, they will get out of the tough innings in games. If base runners sprint in practice, they will take extra bases in games. In the game of softball, every single practice and rep matters. Make them count and remember, no matter how elite of an athlete you are, softball players play like they practice.
