Amanda Freed on Overcoming a Slump

By Amanda Freed

Courtesy of StudentSportsSoftball.com

After playing this sport for over 20 years, I still get frustrated with the fact that I'll never figure it out! I want to know why the ball doesn't look like a watermelon coming out of the pitcher's hand every time. There are times when I feel invincible at the plate. There is nothing that pitcher can throw that I can't hit! Then the next day, BAM! I feel like I'm swatting at flies with a broomstick. Then it's official… I'm in a slump.

I think the word is more terrifying than what it mean: Slump (n.)—a relatively long period of time during which somebody fails to perform well.

What does the definition mean by "relatively"?

Relative (adj.)—not permanently fixed… will change according to circumstances or context.

So it's "not permanently fixed" and we know it can change if we create positive circumstances for that change. Let's see if we can figure out, together, how we can ease the frustration.

Why is it that when we are hitting well, we have all the confidence in the world but then as soon as we fall into a "slump" we think that all of the sudden we've forgotten how to hit?

Fortunately, we still have that same pretty swing and we haven't forgotten how to hit. I guess you have to fall into a slump every once in awhile to appreciate a good streak, right?

How about Alex Rodriguez hitting 14 homeruns in the month of April? What can a pitcher throw him that he can't hit? Absolutely nothing. And he knows it.

That's one of the biggest attributes to a streak, the confidence. That same assurance or poise during a streak can be detrimental when you're in a slump. The lack of confidence and the uncertainty is what keeps you down, not your physical inability to hit the ball.

One thing you can always be sure of is that the slump is only temporary. No matter how long it lasts, you're going to come out of it and someone else will fall into it. That's what's fun, as well as frustrating about our game. Makes you appreciate having teammates that can pick you up when you are down and who can get it done at the plate when you are having those off-days. Knowing that we will inevitably slump, we want to make sure not to keep ourselves down longer than necessary.

The first thing to go will be that "I can hit whatever she throws me" mentality.

Scott Kurtz
Two rules to follow, according to Amanda, are to 1) slow it down, and 2) keep it simple.

When you feel like your mind is heading in the wrong direction, try and simplify your thoughts. Sometimes the worse thing we can do it think about all the possible reasons why we aren't hitting as well as we should be. One thought leads to another and we dig ourselves into a deeper hole.

If I could offer a bit of insight, try to slow things down and keep it as simple as possible. At the first signs of trouble, we want to hurry things up and find that quick fix. We think the faster we work the faster we'll find an answer. The faster you think and the more you think about it only going to cluster your mind and make it hard for you to focus on the simple things.

Don't try and fix it all in one swing or even one at-bat. Instead, keep it simple and start by just trying to have good at-bats. When I'm struggling at the plate, I get excited when I take strong swings at good pitches, or when I can take a pitcher to full count.

Take a deep breath, relax, and try to slow the pitcher down. What I mean by this is, see the ball deep and trust your hands. You have more time than you think to decide whether you want to swing or not. Make it as simple as possible. See strikes and hit strikes. A big hit may be the physical sign that you've overcome a slump but the most important work, the mental aspect, must start before you get in the box.

I'm in the middle of reading a book called "The Secret." I don't know if any of you have heard of it but there's been quite a bit of hype surrounding it's content. I was laying out by the pool, trying to get rid of my farmer's tan, when I came across a quote written by author and Personal Empowerment Advocate, Lisa Nichols:

"Most of the time, when we don't see the things that we've requested, we get frustrated. We get disappointed. And we begin to become doubtful. The doubt brings about a feeling of disappointment. Take that doubt and shift it. Recognize that feeling and replace it with a feeling of unwavering faith. 'I know that it's on its way'."

Sounds a little intense, right? The book is about discovering who you are and knowing how to get what you truly want out of life. Take this quote out of the context of the book and think about your mental process during practice or games.

When we don't get immediate results from our hard work, understandably, we get frustrated. Relax and think good thoughts. It happens to the best players in the game.

You'll always have another at-bat so try to be patient, your hard work will pay off and your streak will come.