We often forget that every little thing we do leaves an impression on others. Whether it is our eye contact, the tone in which we say something, how we carry ourselves through our body language, and the mannerisms we use to communicate, all leave an impression on those around us. Today, I want to focus on one of the tools we use to communicate, body language. Body language is an essential tool for us to understand how to use it as it can affect how others see us, but it can also change how we see ourselves. Body language can boost our confidence, help us communicate more effectively with others, and help bring up our overall mood. Here are some ways that body language can be helpful to you as an athlete.
- Confidence: This is huge. Your body language can not only help you look more confident, but it can also help you feel more confident inside. Displaying confident body language, whether standing tall on the mound or making direct eye contact with the pitcher in the box, can help you perform at your best. Strong body language can help you feel more confident and in control and will give your teammates and opponents a sense of calm.
- Communication: It can be very easy to forget that your body language is a tool to help you communicate. Using clear or assertive body language can help you ensure your message is received and understood by your teammates and coaches. Be deliberate with your gestures, and don’t be afraid to use your body language to help emphasize or hit home a point positively.
- Resilience: Incorporating more positive body language when you’re in a slump or your team is on a losing streak can help you bounce back from setbacks and maintain your focus and motivation. Small things like focusing on your posture, where you avoid slouching, and sulking, can help you stay engaged with each at-bat, pitch, or game. This can also help show your teammates that even when you’re struggling and trying to power through the adversity of a slump, you don’t let that impact those around you who could be red hot. It helps put the team in front of you.
- Reputation: Our body language can build a reputation for how people see us. Having positive body language can help you earn your teammates’ and coaches’ respect and trust and help you stand out in front of scouts and recruiters. Especially if we are leaders, those who follow us are looking for positive role models, and showing off negative body language can push those you lead away.
It is important to remember that people are watching. Whether it is your coach, teammates, the opposing teams, or scouts, someone is watching how you carry yourself on and off the field. Maintaining positive body language can play an essential role in your confidence, how you communicate, how you can power through adversity, and how others around you perceive you. Take time to focus on your mannerisms, not just how your words come across to others, but how your physical actions are.
