Your Best Tool Isn’t in Your Bag. It’s Between Your Ears.
- Julie Jones
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Every coach I know is looking for an edge. Better drills. Better data. Better development plans.
But here’s what we miss: Our mindset determines how much value we actually get from everything else we do.
It shapes…
• what you notice
• what you expect
• how you explain success and failure
• how your body responds under pressure
These are the tools and data we need to be evaluating every day, every play…every way!
Research consistently shows that the same information can help or hurt performance depending on how it’s interpreted. I’ve mentioned Dr. Alia Crum’s work on mindset in the past because it’s so important for performance! Her work demonstrates that expectations don’t just change thoughts…they change physiological responses, decision-making and behavior. In other words, data doesn’t drive performance by itself. The meaning we assign to data does.
I’ve been thinking A LOT about how we use stats, video, and analytics. Why? Because I’m spending the weekend at the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) National Convention this weekend with GameChanger! You know GameChanger…the app that scores 99.9% of all youth and high school baseball games in the country…and they're coming to you volleyball, basketball and soccer…next!
Data…it’s so useful. Until it’s not! Understanding how to use it to our advantage is…well…an advantage.
We know that two coaches can look at the same numbers. One sees confirmation of growth and opportunity.The other sees threat, pressure, or failure.
Same data. Different performance outcomes.
Attentional research tells us why.
What we focus on expands. When attention narrows toward fear, mistakes or “don’t mess this up,” the body tightens and reaction time slows. When attention is directed toward controllables, solutions and next actions, coordination and decision-making improve.
This is why pressure isn’t the villain.
If pressure alone ruined performance, no one would ever have a career day, a walk-off hit, or a season-best outing. Pressure only becomes a problem when focus drifts to the wrong information at the wrong time.
That’s why mindset isn’t a “soft skill.” It’s the operating system that determines how stats, scouting reports, feedback and technology actually get used.
Data is neutral. The questions we ask determine the effect.
When reviewing stats, video or feedback, to get the most out of the data, let’s train ourselves and our players to ask one of these three questions before reacting…it’s like we’re practicing our Response-ABILITY or something 😉!
“What does this tell us about what’s working?” This directs attention toward confidence, evidence and repeatable behaviors.
“What’s the next controllable adjustment?” This shifts focus away from outcome and toward action.
“What do we want to notice next time?” This programs attention forward, which research shows improves learning and performance under pressure.
Studies on attentional control and expectancy effects show that the brain and body respond faster and more efficiently when focus is directed toward solutions and controllables rather than error avoidance. We’re not ignoring problems.
We’re framing them in a way the nervous system can actually handle.
Here’s our challenge: This week, catch yourself the moment data triggers frustration or urgency. Pause. Ask one better question.
Then watch how quickly the conversation…and energy…shifts.
That’s mindset in action.
This weekend at the ABCA National Convention, I’ll be on the GameChanger stage at 11:40 am Friday and Saturday, breaking this down in a way coaches can actually use as that edge we talked about at the top of the Tip!
We’ll look at:
• how expectation and attention change performance in real time
• why information becomes pressure only when focus is misdirected
• how to help athletes use data as feedforward, not scary feedback or fuel for doubt
• simple tools coaches can use immediately with their teams and themselves
If you’re not a baseball coach, but know and love one, do me a favor: Tell your baseball coach friends to come see me.If you’re a baseball coach, bring a buddy with you!
Because the teams that separate late in games usually aren’t more talented. They’re more intentional with where their focus goes and how they interpret information.
Same players. Same data. Different operating system.
Hope to see you in Columbus.
Julie
P.S. Want more ideas on how to use data to your advantage? Reach out now, and let’s design something that fits exactly what you need. Shoot me an email or text – juliej@ssbperformance.com or 234-206-0946
Julie Jones
Mental Performance Coach
SSB Performance
juliej@ssbperformance.com • 234-206-0946
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