“If you want to get better, you MUST keep an open mind because simply doing the same things over and over again will give you the same results,” says Jenna Lilley, the outstanding infielder from Hoover High in North Canton, Ohio.
Jenna is rated by StudentSportsSoftball.com as the No. 1 recruit in the senior class as she’s a winner who has helped Hoover win three straight state championships including the 2013 squad that went 32-0. The lefty hit .697 as a junior and was named the Ohio State Player of the Year and a MaxPreps All-American.
Lilley has committed to the Univ. of Oregon and is also excellent in the classroom with a 3.9 GPA.
In this blog, she explains how she’s using the offseason to better her softball game.
Click here to read Jenna’s earlier blogs and those from our other standout players!
Learn more about Jenna and her athletic family in this piece by her mother, Debbie, called A parent’s perspective: softball sacrifices
See our video interview of mother and daughter shot this summer at PGF
***
After Nationals, I wrote a post-season reflection. I wrote a page of assets of my game I was very pleased with, but also a page of things I knew I needed to work on. Since then, I’ve taken that list and put it to use.
I made little tweaks to my swing in the fall, but now I am fully implementing all of the “changes” I have made so they will become second nature. I am always willing to try out new things in my swing.
Keeping an open mind has gotten me where I am today and will enable me to continue to get better. Think about it: If you want to get better, you MUST keep an open mind because simply doing the same things over and over again will give you the same results.
Yes, you might be getting good results, but by trying new (positive) things, you could be GREAT!“I am not remotely interested in just being good.”
The softball offseason is a long one. For me, I consider it to be from August until March. That is the period of time when I make those little adjustments in my game. Fall ball is a good time to try new things and seeing if you like them in game situations.
From November til March, I work on building muscle memory in my swing, throwing arm strength, and other assets, like speed, that are vital to my game.
November through March is five months with rarely any games; That is a long time to stay focused and 100% committed to working towards your goals. It’s not the easiest thing to do, but it can be done. If it was easy, everyone would do it.
Writing out my dreams and ambitions has inspired me to get the most out of every single day and keep me focused. Writing my goals out every now and then gives my mind and heart a refreshed feeling towards what I am working for.
I know, to fulfill my dreams, there is a lot of hard work that needs to be done. However, I don’t just practice everyday to win championships, I practice every day because I truly love the game and improving each day.
With that said, also keep in mind how important moderation is. You should be heading to practice with excitement to get better everyday, not heading to practice to “just make it through.”
If you get to that point, it is your body and mind telling you that you need a break. You know YOU the best, so remember to listen to your body and mind.
Push yourself. Set goals. WRITE those goals on paper. Mentally prepare myself to “Win the Day” every day. Love what you are doing and strive for that 1% improvement EVERY day. Make the most of each day because season will be here before you know it!
Only 110 more days for me!
As always,
Jenna