After working with athletes and performers on the mental game for over 20 years, I’ve come to the realization that great athletes have a sixth sense, sort of. The top athletes, at any level, can virtually “predict” the outcome of a play, shot, or at-bat. I know this sounds farfetched, but allow me to explain…
Hall of Fame legend Hank Aaron was one of the best hitters in the history of baseball with unmatched consistency. Aaron attributed much of his success in baseball to his mental preparation before and during games. He said his ability to study pitchers and visualize success helped him “predict” (he used the term guess) what pitches pitchers would throw to him.
“I used to play every pitcher in my mind before I went to the ballpark. I started getting ready for every game the minute I woke up,” said Aaron.
Interviewed by Dr. Tom Hanson (1991), Aaron explained just how he prepared mentally. In the dugout, Aaron would reverse his baseball cap, using the eyelets in the back of the cap to narrow his focus on only the pitcher. By reducing distractions from the crowd and the benches, he could concentrate better on the pitcher and visualize getting a hit the next time at bat.
His ability to visualize helped him prepare for the pitcher. “You visualize it. No question about it. You see it in your head, you think about it, and you understand that no matter who you’re facing or who you faced the day before, it’s not the same, every pitcher is different,” said Aaron (Hanson, 1991).
We’ve been taught by other great athletes about the power of seeing success in one’s mind before it happens. Golfing great Jack Nicklaus explained how he would never hit a shot until he had a clear, vivid picture of it in his mind. He wanted to create a picture of success before attempting the shot.