Advanced metrics may be an indelible part of baseball, but another strategy is becoming invaluable to the game: harnessing the power of the mind. This year, a record 27 of the 30 MLB clubs employ a mental skills coach—longtime MLB pitcher Bob Tewksbury holds the position for the San Francisco Giants. Here, he discusses the world of mental performance and the psychology behind baseball, as detailed in his forthcoming book, Ninety Percent Mental.
On mental coaching becoming a trend and more accepted in baseball
“Since I started doing this with the Red Sox in 2004, the players have started to come around as it’s become more normalized. But it’s not for everybody. Some people just don’t want to talk about [the mental process] or they’d rather do something physical to help them perform better. A lot of guys think it’s a gimmick or a quick fix. You have to buy in and make it a part of your routine. You have to be committed to the process.”
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HOW DOES AN ATHLETE LIKE JON LESTER USE TEWKSBURY’S PROGRAM TO GET READY TO COMPETE?
Here’s a look at Lester’s preparation in the hours before a game.
FOCUS
Designed to help increase and sharpen focus, Lester uses index-card-sized “focus grids,” where he must locate a number in a jumbled-up puzzle, to help sharpen his focus before ballgames. The cards look like crossword puzzles, with numbers from 00 through 99.
Concentration Grid is a mental skills training exercise/app for students, athletes, coaches, sports performance/psychology professionals, trainers, teachers, parents, etc. Use concentration grids a/k/a mental focus grids with student-athletes as a tool for assessment, practice and development of focus/attention skills … and for competitive challenge and fun. Make self-development a daily habit. #challengeyourself #concentrationgrid -www.concentrationgrid.com – www.mentalfocusgrids.com – www.tryconcentrationgrid.com
San Francisco Giants mental skills coach and former All-Star pitcher Bob Tewksbury discusses the hidden game of baseball, such as how players use techniques of imagery, self-awareness and strategic thinking to maximize performance.
Concentration Grid is a mental skills training exercise/app for students, athletes, coaches, sports performance/psychology professionals, trainers, teachers, parents, etc. Use concentration grids a/k/a mental focus grids with student-athletes as a tool for assessment, practice and development of focus/attention skills … and for competitive challenge and fun. Make self-development a daily habit. #challengeyourself #concentrationgrid -www.concentrationgrid.com – www.mentalfocusgrids.com – www.tryconcentrationgrid.comConcentration Grid is a mental skills training exercise/app for students, athletes, coaches, sports performance/psychology professionals, trainers, teachers, parents, etc. Use concentration grids a/k/a mental focus grids with student-athletes as a tool for assessment, practice and development of focus/attention skills … and for competitive challenge and fun. Make self-development a daily habit. #challengeyourself #concentrationgrid -www.concentrationgrid.com – www.mentalfocusgrids.com – www.tryconcentrationgrid.comConcentration Grid is a mental skills training exercise/app for students, athletes, coaches, sports performance/psychology professionals, trainers, teachers, parents, etc. Use concentration grids a/k/a mental focus grids with student-athletes as a tool for assessment, practice and development of focus/attention skills … and for competitive challenge and fun. Make self-development a daily habit. #challengeyourself #concentrationgrid -www.concentrationgrid.com – www.mentalfocusgrids.com – www.tryconcentrationgrid.comConcentration Grid is a mental skills training exercise/app for students, athletes, coaches, sports performance/psychology professionals, trainers, teachers, parents, etc. Use concentration grids a/k/a mental focus grids with student-athletes as a tool for assessment, practice and development of focus/attention skills … and for competitive challenge and fun. Make self-development a daily habit. #challengeyourself #concentrationgrid -www.concentrationgrid.com – www.mentalfocusgrids.com – www.tryconcentrationgrid.comConcentration Grid is a mental skills training exercise/app for students, athletes, coaches, sports performance/psychology professionals, trainers, teachers, parents, etc. Use concentration grids a/k/a mental focus grids with student-athletes as a tool for assessment, practice and development of focus/attention skills … and for competitive challenge and fun. Make self-development a daily habit. #challengeyourself #concentrationgrid -www.concentrationgrid.com – www.mentalfocusgrids.com – www.tryconcentrationgrid.comConcentration Grid is a mental skills training exercise/app for students, athletes, coaches, sports performance/psychology professionals, trainers, teachers, parents, etc. Use concentration grids a/k/a mental focus grids with student-athletes as a tool for assessment, practice and development of focus/attention skills … and for competitive challenge and fun. Make self-development a daily habit. #challengeyourself #concentrationgrid -www.concentrationgrid.com – www.mentalfocusgrids.com – www.tryconcentrationgrid.com
