I was at a baseball game last night and the away team got out to an early two run lead, extending it to a five run lead by the fourth inning. The score stayed there until a two run home run put the home team on the board.
A couple more innings passed and the home team managed to squeeze through one more run.
It was 5-3 going into the bottom of the eighth.
After a single to start the inning, a strikeout, and then a double, there were runners on second and third. A weak hit ground ball up the middle turned into an out, but a run scored. It was now 5-4.
The top of the ninth was a quick inning. The away team got the first runner on, but the second batter hit into a solid 4-6-3 double play. The third out was a strikeout.
The tension in the stadium grew as the first batter came up in the bottom of the ninth. He pieced a nice single up the middle. The next batter walked. There were runners on first and second, no outs.
The third batter laid down a nice sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Second and third, one out. The next batter walked. Bases loaded.
A hit was all it would take. The barrel cracked and the ball raced up the middle. But the shortstop was playing close to the bag in double play position.
He bent down and the ball hit his glove and popped up. He juggled it. It hit the dirt. He picked it up again…everyone was safe. The game was tied.
As the shortstop walked back to his position with his head bent, the crowd roared. They were either in store for a walk off or extra baseball. Everyone was happy. Everyone except the shortstop.
The following batter struck out looking on a close pitch. Too close for him to have taken in that situation. The count wasn’t even full. He challenged the called strike but he had no chance. It was low and outside but well within the zone.
Now we had the most exciting situation in a baseball game. Bases loaded, two outs, game tied, bottom of the ninth.
Before you could blink, the count was 3-0. I couldn’t believe it! He was about to walk in the winning run.
The pitcher had more nerve than I thought, though. As he attacked the zone for two quick strikes. 3-2.
Two outs. Bottom of the ninth. Game tied. 3-2 count…talk about a big moment!
As I watched, I knew one of the two, either the batter or the pitcher, would be seen as clutch in a few moments, while the other would be seen as having choked.
It all depended on the next pitch…which was a ball. Low and in. Just off the plate.
The home team walked it off!
3 Tips For Success in Big Moments During Games
As I think back over the game, three key tips stand out to me. Three tips you can use to help yourself succeed in similar big moments.
The truth is, big moments during games can be exciting. But they can also be terrifying.
No one wants to be the one who walks in the winning run or makes a critical error late in the game. Just as no one wants to throw the late game interception or miss a crucial shot.
What people call choking under pressure is a painful experience for all athletes, no matter your sport. An experience that can lead to the development of fear of failure if not handled correctly.
Succeeding in big moments, being that clutch player, is a dream of all athletes.
Unfortunately, you cannot have such success without the risk of choking.
The two go hand in hand.
Sometimes you’ll be seen as the clutch player. Sometimes you’ll choke.
However, you can increase the chances of you succeeding by approaching big moments with confidence and a clear head.
Doing so begins with you sticking to your routines. Routines you trust and that make you comfortable.
Tip #1: Stick to Your Routines
During the last at bat of the game, I paid close attention to the pitcher. Especially when the count grew to 3-0. What I was looking for were any changes in his body language or pre pitch routine.
There were none.
He stuck to his routine and kept it the same it had been up to that point.
And following the third ball, he showed no sign of frustration or a drop in confidence. His body language remained neutral.
I believe both of these have to do with the next two strikes he threw. He kept his routine the same and stayed strong with his body language.
This kept him locked in and kept negative emotions from taking over.
And even though he ended up walking the batter, it was a close pitch and he battled back well. Yes, he could be seen as having choked…but he exhibited a key element of success under pressure: sticking to your routines.
There is no way to guarantee 100% success in big moments. Not even the greatest players are perfect in these situations. But how you increase your chances of more consistent success is by sticking to your routines.
Routines get you comfortable. They signal to your brain that you’re about to do something you’ve done a thousand times. There’s confidence in that level of experience.
Even if the situation itself is brand new to you, the skill you are performing is one you’ve done many times.
Sticking to your routines helps you approach the moment just like you do every other moment during the game. This increases confidence and trust in your skills.
Staying consistent with your routines can also calm your mind. Since you are focused on your routine, instead of allowing the gravity of the moment to occupy your thinking.
The hitter also stuck to his routine. Going through the same motions between each pitch.
Think for yourself, what are the routines within your game? In big moments, are you sticking to your routines, or do you find yourself doing something different and allowing the moment to distract you from keeping things simple?
Tip #2: Don’t Try to Do Too Much
The hitter taught me this lesson.
Put yourself in his shoes. You’ve got the bases loaded, two outs, and the game tied. You know that if you get a hit, the crowd will go nuts, your team will win, and you’ll go to sleep that night a hero.
Stepping up to the plate, would the vision of the ball soaring over the wall and you jogging around the bases already be flashing in your mind?
And maybe it was for him, too. But normally, in those big moments, hitters will try to do too much. Just as other athletes will in other sports.
They’ll take big swings, looking for that long ball to close out the game.
Searching for glory in a big hit.
It takes an incredibly disciplined hitter to treat a big at bat like that just like any other at bat, remain patient, and look for his pitch.
This hitter was a disciplined hitter. At least for that at bat.
He took three balls in a row. And they weren’t wild pitches, either. All three were close. He must have known what he was looking for. He remained patient.
He took the next pitch for a strike, but swung at the 3-1 pitch, fouling it off. It was a good swing.
Then with a 3-2 count, he kept his discipline and still didn’t try to do too much. A walk off walk isn’t sexy but it gets the job done. He still got to go home that night a hero.
The lesson this teaches is that in big moments, you want to keep things simple. Don’t try to do too much. Don’t overdo it.
Stay within yourself and be patient.
This is where routines can help as well. When you stick to your normal routines, you remind yourself to treat this big moment like any other moment. Be as focused as normal and don’t try to be a hero.
Allow the game to come to you. Be patient. Play your game. That’s how you succeed in these big moments. That’s how you go home a hero.
Tip #3: Want to Make the Play
The third tip comes from the error the shortstop made. I saw myself in him as he miss played that ground ball. That happened to me on multiple occasions and it’s never an easy mistake to cope with.
But it’s one you must move on from quickly. Otherwise, the next ball or play will find you and you won’t be ready.
Now I have no idea what was going on inside his mind. My guess is, based on his body language, he moved on relatively quickly. He’s a high level shortstop, and you’d expect as much from him.
But it had me thinking about negative thoughts I’ve had in similar moments, along with thoughts athletes have told me they’ve had in similar moments.
With the main negative thought being to hope the ball isn’t hit to you again. Or if you’re in another sport, not wanting to take the shot, get passed the ball, have to make the tackle, etc.
Due to fear, you don’t want to make the play. You want to avoid. This is the worst possible mindset to have in a big moment.
When you don’t want to make the play, you hesitate. You’re not locked in. If the ball does come to you, you’re not ready. That’s where mistakes happen.
No matter how scared you may be and how much you don’t want to make the mistake to lose your team the game, you have to want to make the play!
Want to be in that situation. Be happy it’s up to you. Want the ball. Want to take the shot. Want the play to run through you…even if you don’t.
The way you do so is through your self-talk. Don’t allow scared and worrisome thoughts to take over.
Tell yourself over and over again that you want the ball and you want to make the play.
In big moments, don’t look to not make a mistake. Look to succeed! Look to do your best!
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing better than coming up clutch in big moments during games.
And there’s nothing more heartbreaking than choking in big moments.
As an athlete, you’ll likely find yourself in both situations. Elated and heartbroken.
You can never be perfect in big moments. But you can increase your chances of success by following a few tips: stick to your routines, don’t try to do too much, and want to succeed.
Succeeding in big moments during games comes down to your mindset. Can you stay focused, keep calm, and play with confidence? Even if the game is on the line.
Thank you for reading and I wish you the best of success in all that you do.
