Do You Get Nervous on the Mound?

In a blog post from last year, I went over how to differentiate good pitchers from great pitchers while discussing all of the things within our control to make that leap.

In a blog post I wrote last year, I delved into the art of distinguishing good pitchers from great pitchers, exploring all the factors within our control that facilitate this leap.

Today, I aim to delve further into an aspect of competition beyond our control: adrenaline. Let's explore how we can harness this natural force within our bodies to our advantage. I use the term "venom" to emphasize that adrenaline can either be a potent poison to our opponents or a detrimental toxin to ourselves. Thus, I invite you to consider strategies that transform your moments of heightened adrenaline into unfortunate encounters for your adversaries. Why is this crucial? Because chances are, you have experienced or will experience these "nerves" or "jitters" that sneak up on us during critical moments.

Mastering the management of these adrenaline rushes is the key to delivering your best performance and emerging victorious. I have yet to encounter a top competitor who is impervious to adrenaline, so it's wise to be prepared for its arrival.

Admittedly, many athletes become frustrated with adrenaline because its arrival and departure are beyond our control. It's nearly impossible to replicate the same results when under its influence as we can achieve in a state without it. However, there's good news. Adrenaline can be a superpower instead of a weakness if we embrace it.

Consider those extraordinary instances where you've heard of an average person, not a bodybuilder, summoning exceptional strength to lift a car. Such feats exemplify the positive impact of adrenaline. How does this relate to pitching? Adrenaline empowers us to perform beyond our usual capabilities. As pitching aficionados know, while velocity isn't the sole determinant of success, it plays a vital role in reducing a hitter's reaction time. Therefore, imagine the advantage of adding an extra 3-5 miles per hour to your throws during a crucial game. That's how we can utilize adrenaline to our benefit.

Now, why would a pitcher hesitate to embrace adrenaline rushes? The truth is, increased velocity resulting from adrenaline often comes with a trade-off in accuracy. And accuracy surpasses velocity in importance. Acknowledging the presence of adrenaline when it surges allows us to harness its power. For instance, if your arm circle speeds up due to the "adrenaline effect," causing the ball to rise, you can compensate by shortening your stride to bring the ball down.

Another effect of the adrenaline rush is sweaty hands or fingers. This is where preparation becomes essential. If it's permissible in your league, keeping a bag of rosin handy can work wonders. I recommend always having one readily available. However, if you don't have rosin, utilizing the dirt itself to coat your hands adequately will prevent the ball from slipping out of your fingers.

Lastly, let's discuss the significance of controlled breathing. You may think you already know how to breathe, and that's obvious. But do you practice deep breathing and slow exhaling exercises to counteract the physiological effects of adrenaline on your body? It's worth honing this skill, as many pitchers describe deep breathing as a vital technique for combating adrenaline and other adversities on the mound.

This brings me to my final point: the Power of Poise. Poise refers to the ability to maintain composure in highly adverse or stressful situations. As a pitcher, your entire team relies on you to initiate the game, as every play begins with your pitch. Therefore, when adrenaline surges, the team needs a leader who can quell their nerves. If you exude unwavering confidence, your teammates will remain steadfast behind you. The opposing hitters won't detect any signs of agitation if you maintain a composed demeanor in all circumstances, both positive and negative. The capacity to persevere and rebound is paramount to embodying Pitcher with Poise. Embracing adrenaline is one way to radiate this often underestimated characteristic of a pitcher.

Consequently, I want to conclude where last week's discussion began. Controlling the factors within our control is imperative for becoming a great pitcher. Transitioning from good to great necessitates poise. Knowing how to transform adrenaline into a friend rather than a foe is key to attaining unshakable composure. Your performances will become more consistent, and your teammates' performances will improve if you set the tone and maintain it unwaveringly. So, take a deep breath, lean in, and never let them see you sweat!