Next Play Mentality

Play mentality and developing mental toughness . Why not put it down on paper and start in the off season and work on it before and after team lifts , everything from visualization , goal setting , positive self-talk and breathing techniques and so much more . Next on baseball coaches unplugged .

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Or check out Netting Pros on X , instagram , facebook and LinkedIn for all their latest products and projects . Today we're going to talk about something crucial for every high school player's development their mindset focusing on the next play .

If you've been around high school baseball long enough , you know that the mental game is just as important as the physical one . But how do we , as coaches , teach mindset ? How do we get our players to shake off the mistakes , stay confident and keep grinding , even when the going gets tough ?

Today I'm breaking down specific strategies you can use to train your players' minds for the game . Let's get into it First up . Let's talk about visualization and mental imagery . It's all about helping players see their success before it happens . Here's how you can bring this into your practice .

Set aside a couple minutes before a big game or even during practice , or you could start working on it in the offseason and have your players close their eyes and visualize a high-pressure situation . Think bases loaded , two outs , game on the line .

Now walk them through it , see themselves taking a deep breath , stepping into the box , tracking the pitch , making contact . When they visualize success , they're creating a mental rep that actually makes these moments feel more familiar when they happen . This exercise has been used by pros in college and some of the top athletes for years .

It can work wonders for high school players trying to build confidence under pressure . Next up , let's talk goal setting . I know goal setting might seem straightforward , but here's the key . We want our players setting process goals , not just outcome goals . What do I mean by that ?

Instead of focus on things like hitting 400 or being named to the all-state team , encourage them to set goals around things they can control . Maybe it's improving their swing mechanics , working on footwork or learning to read pitches better . When players focus on things they can control , they learn to value effort and progress over career results .

It keeps them motivated and builds their confidence and helps them stay positive even if they don't see immediate results . And helps them stay positive even if they don't see immediate results . Now here's a technique I love , and I love it when coaches talk about it . It's the next play mindset . This is all about moving on from mistakes quickly .

Teach your players to say next play , reset whatever words you want to come up with after every play , especially after a mistake . This habit helps them let go of the errors and focus on the current moment . Baseball is a mental game and mistakes can spiral if players can't shake them off .

How many times have you seen a player strike out at the plate in a crucial situation , run out on the field and boot a routine ground ball ? So the next time a player strikes out or misses a play , remind them next play . It's a simple phrase that can be incredibly powerful for keeping their heads in the game . Next up , let's talk about self-talk .

Every player has the inner voice and sometimes it's not the friendliest voice . It's easy to get into a cycle of negative self-talk , especially after you've had a rough game . Help your players practice positive self-talk by identifying negative thoughts and replacing them with empowering ones .

So if you're thinking I can't hit a curveball work with them to reframe it into something more positive , like I'm getting better at reading curveballs Over time . This small shift in language can build a mental toughness and keep players from getting stuck in a rut of self-doubt .

One of the most impactful ways to encourage a positive mindset is recognizing effort over results . And yes , I get it . Everybody wants to win . Everybody wants to go four for four at the plate and throw a complete game as a pitcher .

But after practices and games , make a point of praising not just the players who scored or made big plays , but also those who have hustled , improved a skill or kept a great attitude . When players know that their effort is recognized and valued , they're more likely to stay motivated and keep working .

Plus , it creates a team of culture where players feel respected for their hard work , not just their stats . A great tool that's underused in baseball is journaling . Get your players in the habit of keeping a simple journal where they reflect on each game or practice .

They can write down three things One thing they did well , an area they want to improve and one thing they'll do next time to improve in that area . Do next time to improve in that area . This helps players to reflect on their progress , making them more self-aware and helping them see mistakes as part of the learning process .

Plus , it reinforces a growth mindset by showing them how far they've come . One of my favorite tools in high pressure moments is breathing and centering techniques . Simple breathing exercises can't be overlooked . It's something you see if you watch the College , world Series , major League Baseball . Every time a player steps into pitch , they take a deep breath .

Every time they step in to hit , they're taking a deep breath before the pitch happens . Simple breathing exercises can work wonders for focus and calm . Teach your players the 4-7-8 technique Inhale for four seconds , hold for seven seconds and exhale for eight . Hold for 7 seconds and exhale for 8 .

This can be a game changer for calming your nerves before a big at bat or in a high stress moment on the field . It's simple , but it really helps players stay grounded and reset Now .

Failure , especially in baseball , is inevitable , but here's the secret we can teach our players to view failure as feedback After a rough game instead of focusing on what went wrong . Help identify for players what they can learn . Ask questions like what did you notice about today's game or what could we try differently next time ?

This reframes failure as a learning experience which builds resilience about today's game . Or what could we try differently next time ? This reframes failure as a learning experience which builds resilience . Over time , your players start seeing mistakes as part of the growth which keeps them positive and curious rather than afraid of messing up .

That wraps up today's episode on building a positive mindset for your high school baseball players . Remember , these aren't just mental tricks . They're powerful skills that will help your players grow , not only on the field , but in every part of their life . If you found today's episode helpful , be sure to subscribe , share it with another coach and leave a review .

Baseball Coaches Unplugged is proud to be partnered with the netting professionals and brewing programs , one facility at a time . Contact them today at 844-620-2707 . That's 844-620-2707 . As always , I'm your host , ken Carpenter , and thanks for listening to Baseball Coaches Unplugged .