Getting Mentally Tough For the Off-Season

If you are planning to train this off-season this will be one of the most important articles you read.

I am sure when you think of mental toughness you picture a hitter standing in the box with the game on the line and somehow, despite great pressure, he delivers a game winning hit…or a pitcher (a la curt Schilling) coming up with a clutch performance in a big game.

Here is what I picture:

I had the privilege of working with Corey Smith, a first round draft pick of the Cleveland Indians in 2000 and now with the Padres. Corey defined mental toughness for me.

See, when he asked me to help him I was a little hesitant. I didn’t know how hard he wanted to work. A lot of players SAY they want to work hard…but few follow through on what it takes to be successful.

So I told Corey I would meet him every day at 7:00 am at the gym by my house. The gym was a 45-minute drive for him. I have to say, I did not think he would follow through…but he did. Everyday… 7:00 am he was there….Never late…Never missed a day..Snowing…raining…sick...girlfriend problems….he was there.

That is mental toughness! Doing what you have to do no matter what.

Most people will point to Corey and say how lucky he is…but I know that he created his own luck by working hard day in and day out.

I asked Corey what drove him. He told me, “It starts in my mind. I set my goals and I don’t let anything stop me getting there. I make a list of the things I need to do to achieve my goals and I do those things. I make an appointment with myself everyday”

As you start to think about your off-season training let me share with you the 4 Tips Corey used to propel his off-season training.

1. Show up – that is half the battle. There were times I thought Corey should have stayed home…but it went against his goals and to him, that was more important

2. If you're going to come – come to work. We used to invite players to work out with us all the time. But, they were never as consistent with the quality of the workout as Corey was. It takes the same amount of time to put forth a poor effort as it does a good effort

3. Get up and get it done. If you can do your workouts in the morning..do it. It will give you a sense of accomplishment throughout the day. But the most important thing is to get it done

4. Mental pictures. No player had a clearer picture of himself as a pro than Corey. He saw it, smelt it, and tasted it. He knew what he wanted and he went for it. Every time Corey would want to quit he would trigger his mind by picturing himself in the big leagues.