For a baseball player, there are few things more torturous than a hitting slump. The ball, which looked like a watermelon when you were on a hot streak, suddenly looks like a marble. Swings that once resulted in scalding line drives are producing weak pop-outs to second base. Your confidence is waning and your batting average is nosediving. But keep your cool and follow a few simple steps to emerge from your batting blues.
Step 1
Keep your cool. Players who are slumping have a tendency to second-guess themselves. But when you over analyze, it slows your reaction time. This is deadly, because every millisecond counts in hitting. Keep your normal mental approach and try not to put extreme pressure on yourself when you are at the plate. By letting your frustration get the better of you, you are only doubling the amount of stress a slump creates -- and showing the pitcher he can get away with throwing you junk.
Step 2
Maintain a level swing. When slumping, you may feel the urge to make up for all of those outs by hitting a 3-run home run. But most home run hitters say that their homers typically come when they're simply trying to hit the ball solidly. You're more likely to get base hits when you hit line drives than when you put a bunch of air under the ball. Avoid dropping your hands as you initiate your swing. This can lead to an unintended uppercut.
Step 3
Study film. Watch video of your at-bats during the slump to see if you've picked up any poor habits, such as opening up your body too soon or lifting your head and taking your eyes off the ball at the last second. The most minute hiccup in a baseball swing is enough to cause a prolonged slump if left unchecked. And while you're at it, view footage of the next day's pitcher each night. Try to pick up on any tendencies he may have, like throwing certain pitches in certain counts. When you're slumping, every bit of preparation can make a difference.
Step 4
Take a day off. Baseball is a grind, with teams often playing games nearly every day of the week for extended stretches. This non-stop competition can physically and mentally wear out even the best hitters. By sitting out a game and watching, you may be able to hit the reset button and provide yourself a valuable refresher.
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