We can work out to build muscle mass, but how do we build mental strength? The Key might lie somewhere in the study of Neuroplasticity.
The journey to becoming a skilled pitcher is a complex interplay of physical and mental processes. At the heart of this journey lies the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt and change – a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. By understanding and leveraging the principles of neuroplasticity, athletes can accelerate their learning process and master the art of pitching more effectively.
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to physically change in response to experience. This process is driven by several critical ingredients: attention, alertness, sleep, repetition, breaks, and mistakes. Each of these elements plays a vital role in learning and mastering new skills, including pitching.
Do you remember the first time you touched a hot stove? I do. My grandmother had told me time and time again to get my hands away from the stove, but my impatience and curiosity got the best of me after smelling those savory chicken and dumplings. One finger gets to close to the scalding hot stove burner – searing pain and immediate regret grasp my nervous system like electric shock. Needless to say, I didn’t touch the stove again out of curiosity. The Neuroplasticity of my mind did the trick.
The Power of Repetition
We don’t tend to repeat the things that hurt us (like touching hot stoves), but repetition plays an enormous part of building the brain’s bridge via Neuroplasticity, Especially when it comes to habits that might not be as natural. Repetition is one element stands out for its profound impact on skill acquisition and mastery.
Repetition is the cornerstone of learning any skill. Each time you repeat a pitch, you reinforce pathways and connections in your brain, making it easier to recall and execute that pitch in the future. This process of strengthening connections through repetition is a fundamental aspect of neuroplasticity.
But repetition in pitching isn’t just about throwing the ball over and over again. It’s about the entire process leading up to the throw. It’s about the mobility exercises that enhance your flexibility and range of motion. It’s about the corrective drills that fine-tune your technique. It’s about the strength training that builds the power behind your pitch.
Every movement, every drill, every throw gets imprinted in your brain, shaping the neural pathways that define your pitching technique.
This is why focused, deliberate practice is so crucial. Every rep matters. Every throw matters. If you practice half-heartedly, your brain will imprint those half-hearted efforts, and that will be the result you get. On the other hand, if you practice with full attention (INTENT, if you will) and effort, focusing on every movement and every detail, your brain will imprint those high-quality efforts, leading to high-quality results. Think of it as strength training for the brain. The repetitions are the “resistance” that eventually becomes second-nature.
The Role of Attention, Alertness, Sleep, Breaks, and Mistakes
While repetition is a key ingredient in the learning process, it doesn’t work in isolation. Attention and alertness are crucial for focused, deliberate practice. Physical activities, such as running up and down stairs, can activate the body’s flight system, increasing alertness and enhancing learning. Avoiding frequent context switching, such as the distractions caused by social media, can also help maintain focus.
Sleep plays a critical role in memory consolidation, turning short-term memories (like the tweaks you made to your pitching technique) into long-term ones. Prioritizing sleep before and after practice sessions can significantly enhance information retention. So take that nap! It’s part of your mental exercise!
Breaks, too, are essential. After a focused practice session, taking a 10-20 minute break allows your brain to stabilize the newly encoded information and avoid interference. This rest period gives your brain a chance to replay and consolidate the information, enhancing learning.
Finally, making mistakes is a crucial part of the learning process. The feeling of anxiety and stress associated with making mistakes can actually enhance learning by releasing neuromodulators and increasing activity in focused attention networks. This leads to neuroplasticity and provides an opportunity to improve. So, don’t shy away from failure. Embrace it as a stepping stone towards mastery.
In conclusion, the path to pitching prowess is as much a mental journey as it is a physical one. As the great Yogi Berra once said- “Baseball is 90% mental, the other half is physical”.
By understanding and leveraging the principles of neuroplasticity, particularly the power of repetition, athletes can accelerate their learning process and master the art of pitching more effectively. So, the next time you step onto the mound, remember: a strong mind is the foundation of a strong pitcher. Every rep matters, every throw matters. Practice with intention, and let your brain do the rest.
What’s some Brain Breaks that help you out? I’m compiling a list of these and some other mental hacks to help me in my journey, I’ll be posting those on our social pages (Facebook, Instagram, Youtube) Best Suggestions are getting added to the list!
Also don’t forget if you or anyone you know is looking to get a different approach to pitching training, I’m unveiling a Beta Program for our Remote Pitching Program on Sept 1, 2023.
Here’s a cool video I found explaining a little more about Neuroplasticity, a truly fascinating phenomenon.
Live Life and Train With Intent,
David Parkinson
Founder, Intent Performance