Following yesterday's email about mastering the mental game, Iwant to share with you an important concept for really masteringit. What is the best way to work on the mental game? - In a classroom with a coach or a mental training consultant talking about it?- Using small group discussions?- By reading books on the topic?- By filling up questionnaires?- By doing mental training exercises such as lying down onthe floor, lights turned off, and eyes closed vizualizing success or working on your deep breathing? Well, all of these methods are valid and can be useful to teachthe mental game. However, none of them are the best way to really master themental game. What is THE best way? Integrate it right into your practices. Nothing will ever beas effective as talking about, practicing it and implementingmental training techniques right on the field. Why? The more specific it is, the more realistic it is, the more successful it will be. I will give you an analogy - what is the best way to practicehitting; facing a pitching machine or live pitching? Of course, live pitching is much better because realistic. The same idea applies to mental training. If you only keepmental training for team meetings or out-of-practicecontext, you will not get the most bang for your buck. So, when you work on defense or on offense, also include thingslike what to think, how to react, how to behave, what to focuson, how to control emotion, how to manage stress, how tobreath, etc. in their specific context. This is how you will really be able to "master" the mental game. Play hard. Marc Dagenais"Your Personal Softball Peak Performance Coach" P.S.  Do you do any mental training at all despite the fact that you know that it is THE most important part of thegame or you leave it to chance?

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