| Every athlete hates it but there's no escaping it. | | | | team, which can affect your future |
| I'm talking about The Slump here. As an athlete, | | | | performances. |
| you can't always expect your team to win. There | | | | Remember that softball is a team effort. If one |
| are times when your opponent just plays better | | | | sinks, the whole team goes down with it. So, |
| than you, or there are other factors that led you | | | | instead of pulling everybody down along with you, |
| to losing. | | | | make an effort to let everyone's spirits up. |
| We all have our off days, and as an athlete, you | | | | Encourage your teammates. Tell them that you're |
| must learn how to deal with that. And I'll show | | | | in it together. It's a more constructive way of |
| you just how you can do that. In fact, I have | | | | dealing with The Slump. |
| several softball tips for you on overcoming The | | | | Let It Out |
| Slump. | | | | Keeping your frustration to yourself will only |
| Let It Sink In | | | | make you go crazy. So, if you're experiencing a |
| You could try to deny it, but the slump is like | | | | bad day, talk to one of your friends. Let out your |
| money on your back. Unless you deliberately | | | | feelings of frustration. Believe me for you'll feel a |
| shake it off, it won't get off you. So, if you're | | | | lot better after that. |
| experiencing an off day, just let it sink in. Face | | | | So, don't bottle up that emotion inside. Because |
| the fact that it isn't your day. Accepting things as | | | | when you do, things might not be pretty when it |
| they are is a lot easier than fighting it. Acceptance | | | | finally comes out in one go. |
| lets you move on immediately from the pit of | | | | Take a Day Off |
| frustration, or even depression. | | | | Some players prefer to play the game and |
| Let it sink in and move on. | | | | practice hard after a disappointing performance. |
| Don't Play the Blame Game | | | | But it can only just build frustration within yourself |
| Blaming yourself or your teammates for a | | | | even further. |
| shoddy performance doesn't help anyone. We | | | | So, I suggest you just take a day off from |
| already talked about moving on, and blaming | | | | anything softball related. Watch a movie, play |
| yourself doesn't let you move on. Instead, you | | | | another sport, hang out with your friends. Do |
| get stuck in the mire of frustration. | | | | anything you want, as long as it isn't |
| Almost the same thing goes with blaming your | | | | softball-related (make sure it's safe though). And |
| teammates. But it's a lot worse. Because when | | | | when you pick up your bat again, you'll look at the |
| you start blaming your teammates for a poor | | | | game with a fresh mind. |
| game, then, you create a lot of friction in the | | | | |