Qualitative Analysis of the Impact of Thoughts under Pressure in Defensive Situations on Softball Performance Recovery

Recent research has focused on performance after a failure under pressure. This qualitative study investigates psychological responses and coping strategies following a failure in high-pressure defensive softball situations to discern the differential thought processes associated with successful versus unsuccessful performance recoveries. By examining the mental frameworks that contribute to or hinder performance rebound, this research introduces a novel perspective on mitigating repeated failures under pressure, enriching the existing literature on performance psychology. Through individual semi-structured interviews, we gathered insights from five female university softball players, resulting in eight case reports of recovery success and failure following initial defensive failures during high-stakes games. Analysis employing the Steps for Coding and Theorization (SCAT) method revealed that moderate arousal and cognitive switching are essential for preventing failure recurrence. These findings underscore the importance of managing arousal and reframing cognition as effective strategies for enhancing resilience and performance recovery under pressure.