Sports at higher levels can be attention-grabbing, suspense-filling, and teeth-grinding all at the same time. The cause is the work put in on and off the field out of the games . Whether it is coaches or players, dedication is needed to win the game. With the recent fastpitch softball season, coach Katy Hoke has been pushing her team forward every way she can. Hoke explained what type of work she puts into the team on a daily basis.
“The team, the games, are constantly on my thoughts,” Hoke said. “Trying to create a lineup that gels together, that supports each other, is sometimes a challenge. There’s details in skill but most of the girls play at such a high level, it’s trying to get that to all flow together, and click at the right time.” Hoke said.
There are lots of other important things that go into the game other than just technical skill and how all skill levels fit together. Frame of mind can be a key factor in the entire team’s success. Hoke believes that coaching should support or encourage her players to keep them in the right mental state.
“The girls are the ones that play the game but sometimes it’s the motivation we need to work on. Try different angles of encouragement from the coaching,” Hoke said.
They use many different tactics and strategies to enter their personal mental states. Some mindsets are different from others. Senior Brekyn Mortensen gave an example of how the mental game impacts a player’s performance.
“Whenever we’re all hyped and pumped and just ready for it, not underestimating anyone, that’s when we usually win,” Mortesen said.
Sometimes it’s not about getting hyped up though. For some players like senior Maddie Ogle, it’s about silencing those thoughts of doubt in certain ways. For Ogle, finding that silence through her religious beliefs puts trust in her faith in god.
“I always make sure I pray before my games,” Ogle said. “It’s always getting a headspace of peace and knowing that God will help me through my game, and now I’m gonna play through him.”
The mental strategies of the game can differ from player to player but some follow one rule, to stay positive. Ogle mentioned advice she’d give to younger players regarding how they take on the game and its obstacles.
“You’re more than a game, but also people aren’t going to like you because of the game,” Ogle said.“They’re going to be jealous of you, and they’re not going to like you, but always know you’re better than what people say about you. I got told this by my college coach. She said ‘Haters are going to hate, just let them hate’.”