Softball NZ is pleased to release an updated and improved Mental Skills module to support our developing coaches. 

The module sits in Stage 5 of the National Player and Coach Development Pathway. The course is an introduction to mental skills and aims to enhance coaches understanding of this area of the game, so that they may be more confident in delivering and utilising mental skills with their players. The course consists of a 7 hour workshop and an online module through the Online Coach Accreditation platform. 

Three practical courses are currently being delivered over the off season: Albany, Lower Hutt and Christchurch. Sky Sport White Sox Mental Skills Coach Sina Hunkin wrote the module and delivered the first module at Rosedale Park last weekend and received extremely well by those that attended. “I absolutely loved being a part of the conversations where coaches were looking at how we apply more of this into their teams and getting real insights around how we are impacting the way that they think.” – Tania Parangi, Female Player Development officer, North Harbour Softball Association. 

Objectives of the module are to: 

• Strengthen coaches understanding about the importance and benefits of practicing mental skills on a regular basis.
• Develop a stronger understanding about what we can and cannot control in the game of softball and how this can affect performance.
• Explore the difference between process and outcome goals and learn how to utilise process goals effectively in training and game situations.
• Learn skills that help players to self-regulate, giving them a better chance of maintaining composure on the softball diamond.
• Develop a stronger understanding about the power of our thoughts and self-talk and the affect these thoughts can have on sports performance and mental wellbeing in general.
• Learn skills to help players choose self-talk that helps them rather than hindering them, in softball.

Sina Hunkin