Ron Schmittling is a renowned Mental Performance Coach and author of Winning Starts Within and contributes articles frequently to Line Drive Media.

Ron is excellent at providing ideas, tips and training on how to improve “mental performance for fastpitch athletes!

In today’s post, Ron xxxxxxxxx

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The Silent Skill That Builds Confidence

Ask athletes where confidence comes from and you’ll hear the same answers.

• Hitting well.
• Making plays.
• Winning games.

But those things don’t actually create confidence… they create temporary emotion.

Real confidence comes from something quieter.

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Confidence Is Built Before Performance

The athletes who stay confident through slumps aren’t always the most talented; they’re the most prepared mentally before the game begins.

Because confidence rarely shows up during pressure if it hasn’t been built beforehand.

That’s where routines come in.

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Why Routines Matter

A routine isn’t superstition.

It’s a mental anchor.

Something consistent the athlete can rely on regardless of the moment. When pressure rises, routines bring the brain back to something familiar.

Instead of thinking about results, the athlete returns to a sequence:

• Breathe.
• Focus.
• Compete.

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What Great Players Do

Watch elite players between pitches or at-bats.

They rarely rush… they reset.

• They adjust batting gloves.
• Take a breath.
• Look at the barrel.
• Step back in with intention.

These actions aren’t random, they signal the brain:

“This moment is normal.”

When moments feel normal, athletes perform faster and freer.

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The Confidence Loop

Confidence doesn’t start with success.

It starts with CONTROL.

• Control of breathing.
• Control of attention.
• Control of the next action.

The more athletes control their process, the less they depend on outcomes to feel confident.

That’s how confidence survives slumps.

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Your Challenge This Week

Athletes: Create a simple reset routine before every pitch or at-bat. Keep it the same every time.

Coaches: Teach routines as a performance tool, not just a habit.

Parents: When watching games, notice routines—not just results.

Confidence isn’t built during the biggest moment; it’s built in the small, consistent moments that come before it.

And mastering those moments is a powerful MENTAL edge!

— Ron Schmittling for Line Drive Softball

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Previous Articles:

• Mental Mindset: The Most Dangerous Score in Softball (Mar. 9, 2026)
• Mental Mindset: Why Teams Tighten Up in Big Games (Feb. 23, 2026)
• Mental Mindset: How One Negative Thought Hijacks an Entire Game (Feb. 2, 2026)
• Mental Mindset: Why Confidence Disappears in Games (and How to Build It Back) (Jan. 19, 2026)
• Mental Mindset: Why “Just Relax” Is the Worst Advice in Softball (Jan. 5, 2026)
• Mental Mindset: The 5-Second Rule That Separates Winners from Quitters (December 13, 2025)
• Mental Mindset: From Dropout Statistics to Champions… Why the Mental Game Can’t Wait (November 24, 2025)

Want More?

NEW BOOK: 

Written specifically for softball athletes, Into The Storm (Book 1 of the Lighthouse Trilogy) follows the emotional and mental battles of one athlete’s journey, teaching how resilience, confidence, and focus are built one pitch, one play, and one response at a time. Available on Amazon… CLICK HERE!

NEW COURSE: 

Athlete Level 1 – Foundations is a new foundational online course designed for softball players, helping them develop focus, emotional control, and confidence under pressure.

Learn more by CLICKING HERE!

COACHES:

Want your whole team trained in these tools? I deliver 60-90 minute workshops where players and teams learn and apply these techniques immediately.

Ron’s Podcast LINK

Author Bio

THE MENTAL EDGE is written by Ron Schmittling, MPM—Certified Mental Performance Coach, NFCA Coach of the Year finalist, and author of Winning Starts Within.

After more than a decade coaching and directing a national fastpitch program with a 100 percentage college placement rate, Ron now trains the mental side of the game, helping athletes stay composed under pressure, reset fast, and compete with clarity and confidence.

Here’s how to access Ron directly and via his info on social media:

• E-mail: ron@coachronmpm.com

• Online (website): coachronmpm.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachronmpm

Want More? Here are More Ways to Get Ron’s Great Insights into Having the Mental Edge:

*30 Day Mental Performance Challenge

My challenge helps fastpitch athletes, coaches and parents train the mental side of the game with simple, daily tools for confidence, focus and fast recovery when pressure hits.  Click HERE to join

*”Winning Starts Within” (Ron’s book & E-book)

My book breaks down the 10 mental skills every athlete needs—including the 3 R’s, routines, visualization, and how to build confidence that doesn’t crack under pressure. Available on Amazon or CoachRonMPM.com.

* Mental Edge Workshops

Coaches: how would you like your whole team trained in these tools? I deliver 60-to-90-minute workshops where players and teams learn and apply these techniques immediately.

Here is the link to his 1:1 Coaching or Team Informational Session Link.