Little League Baseball is the largest youth sports organization in the World, and is well known for the Little League World Series. Year after year, youth baseball players dream of making the trip to Williamsport in mid-august to compete against the top little league teams in the world. Those of you, who are old enough to remember the 1982 Little League World Series, can appreciate the magnitude of this event, and how much nationalistic pride can rise from a Little League World Series Championship. In the summer of 1982, a little league team from Kirkland, Washington advanced to the […]
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13
Sep
2010
Big League Pressure in Youth Sports
One thing every NHL team needs is a tough guy or enforcer ready to take hits, give hits, and intimidate their opponent. The tough guy provides his team with energy, momentum, and confidence. Ian Laperriere “Lappy” of the Philadelphia Flyers is recognized as one of the top tough guys in the league. When asked about his mental approach and preparation for sports toughest game he stated, “I have always been a physical player. I am not afraid to challenge my opponents and be as good as I can be on a nightly basis.” Players like Laperriere are tough physically, […]
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12
Sep
2010
Why Tim Tebow Should Not Change His Delivery
Tim Tebow is considered to be one of the best college football players to ever play the game. He was the first college player to rush and pass for twenty or more touchdowns in a single season, and the first sophomore player to win the Heisman Trophy. He had great success in college leading his team to two National Championships, but skeptics questions his ability to perform in the Nation Football League. Tebow was drafted 25th overall by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Many scouts and coaches believe this was a risky pick for the […]
Read moreIs there a relationship between personality type and sport preference? How do those know what their sports personality might be? What do those who participate in the same sports have in common? In order to answer questions related to sports psychology, over five hundred athletes were tested and evaluated. To examine the relationship between personality types, sport preferences and performance, team and individual athletes’ personality profiles were designed. Results indicated that teams exhibit a predictable personality profile and that by understanding the psyche of the athlete, performance and team productivity can be enhanced. Optimal communication and performance can be […]
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06
Sep
2010
Hitting Tips: Panicked-Hitting
If you engage in panicked hitting, you are too scared to start your swing. You panic because hitting is the weakest part of your game and you know it. You need to get a hit in order to play well. Visions of poor hitting days and strikeouts have you bewildered. Even if you gather yourself enough to take a cut at it, your muscles are too tense to make a smooth swing. You not only needs to gain confidence back in your hitting, but you also needs to lose the fear that paralyzes you at the plate. As for […]
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05
Sep
2010
Motivation is the Key to Hitting Success
The motivation to succeed in baseball begins with an athlete’s dream or mission. Some athletes’ dreams started early in life when they fell in love with baseball. Other athletes recognized their talent and potential to play the game. No matter what fostered their dreams, they became actively engaged into their mission to be the best they could be. The best ball players in the world have an intense desire to be great, which is fueled by their childhood dreams of winning their first little league world series or winning the college world series. The childhood dreams fuel the drive […]
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04
Sep
2010
Baseball Pre-Performance Routines
Do you have a pre-pitch or at-bat routine? Some ball players have a routine, but don’t use it consistently. Others don’t have a routine at all. Without a consistent routine at the plate or on the mound, you’re more likely to lose focus or become distracted. A pre-pitch or at-bat routine is designed to help you: Focus on what’s important Prepare consistently for the pitch or at-bat Feel confident before execution Trust your swing or throwing action Phillies pitcher, Roy Halladay, recently threw a perfect game to beat the Marlins 1-0. Before his perfect game, Halladay was coming off […]
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03
Sep
2010
A Championship Mindset
Winning championships are what all competitors and teams strive to attain each season. Repeating a championship from the previous year is even harder to attain. But to do so, you need more than physical talent. Confidence, focus, and patience are just a few qualities that separate championship teams from other contenders. And winning coming down the stretch of a long season takes courage and mental toughness. If the Sprint Cup Chase is NASCAR’s version of playoffs in professional sports, then Jimmie Johnson should be considered one of the greatest athletes of all time. With is second place finish at […]
Read moreWe often see kids who excel in practice, but freeze up during games. This can be frustrating and confusing for parents and coaches. What’s going on in the young athlete’s mind, and what can sports parents and coaches do about it? First, sports parents and coaches should help young athletes understand that they create their own confidence destiny. If kids begin a game needing immediate results (such as getting the first hit or basket of the game), they’re hurting their confidence. It is critical to remind young athletes that they’ve been practicing to develop confidence for many years. Don’t […]
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01
Sep
2010
Jimmy Rollins Steps Up in Big Games
As the hunt for a division championship and playoff spot begins to heat up every game counts Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies made two consecutive World Series appearances in 2008 and 2009, but currently trail the Atlanta Braves by 2.5 games in the National League East. Philadelphia is starting to make their run, winning 20 our 25 games, and manager Charlie Manuel is confident in his team ability to continue winning big games. “When there’s a lot of focus on our team, we rise to the challenge, this is when we really like to play,” said Manuel. Phillies Shortstop Jimmy […]
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