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Life Lessons Life Lesson #7: Balance BALANCE By now, balance is a term that you have heard used in your lessons many times. While balance is an important part of virtually every pitching lesson, it is also an integral part of your overall success as an athlete and an individual. Early in the learning process, balance is introduced through the step-behind move. We associate the rhythm of the step-behind move to that of a dancer, footwork filled with balance. When you are asked to "hold your finish," balance means controlling your body and executing the proper finish. Balance is also discussed when the delivery moves to the point where your lift leg reaches it's peak with the hands held comfortably in front of the chest (appropriately called "The Balance Point"). To work on balance on the pitching mound, we often draw a straight line from the inside of your plant shoe towards home plate. Pitchers attempt to land as close to this line as possible while maintaining balance and executing their delivery. This landing line can be thought of as a tightrope across which the performer must safely deliver his act. Any movement that pushes the pitcher out of balance can cause the landing to miss the tightrope and the performer to fall off of his perch. Just as the tightrope-balancing act can be compared to the physical performance of pitching, so can the concept of balance be applied to life and athletics in general. Successful, balanced, actions are a blend of aggression and caution. He who is over-aggressive falls out of balance by trying too hard, while he who is too cautious loses balance through laziness and an unwillingness to work hard. Similar to Life Lessons on Self-Confidence and Concentration, a pitcher maintains a balanced demeanor by not allowing distractions, disappointments and disturbances to bring emotions too low. Likewise, keeping the highs associated with strikeouts, victories and championships to a moderate level also helps to achieve balance. "Keep your highs low, and your lows high!" Successful athletes perform - walk the tightrope - with controlled aggression and sharp focus. A strong belief in their ability and trust in the ability of their teammates brings forth a balanced approach to the task at hand. It is our goal is to recognize that a homerun does not signal the end of the world, runners on 2nd and 3rd does not mean panic, and winning does not make us better people than the other team (a loss does not make us worse). Balance brings us through the highs and lows of competition with an even keel, enabling us to manage the pains of defeat as well as the joys of victory! Great job today... now balance your way back home and eat your vegetables! |
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