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For coaches

Simple mental game tools you can teach in minutes, and players can use immediately

What You'll find here

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  • Game-ready mental drills you can teach in minutes

  • Age-specific guidance for each level

  • Simple cues that help players reset and refocus

  • Tools for building confidence, composure, and communication

  • Routines for hitting, pitching, and defense

  • Mental skills players can use instantly in practices and games

Mental Skills You Can Teach Today

Reset Routines (Between Pitches & Plays)

• Simple “breath → focus word → visualize” routine
• Helps players recover after a mistake
• Builds consistency in pressure moments

Focus Cues Players Can Use Immediately

• “See it early” (hitting + fielding)
• “Pick a small target” (throwing)
• “Glove to the ball” (fielding)
• “Next pitch” (reset mindset)

Emotional Control Tools

• One deep breath = calm, reset, refocus
• How to “park” frustration after errors
• Staying level-headed in long innings or tough at-bats

Confidence Builders

  • Quick praise cues (“Good move,” “Great idea,” “Right approach”)

  • Process-based feedback instead of outcome-based

  • How to help players bounce back from tough reps

Simple Between-Rep Routines

  • “Set → breath → execute”

  • Keeps players from rushing reps

  • Builds game-like consistency in practice

Communication Tools

  • Clear, short commands players understand immediately

  • Teaching players to communicate on defense

  • Positive dugout language that boosts team energy

AGE-SPECIFIC COACHING GUIDES

Tee Ball (Ages 4–6)

• Keep instructions simple and short
• Praise effort, not results
• Use fun, repeatable routines (“Ready stance!”)
• Teach basic emotional control (deep breath reset)
• Celebrate small wins to build early confidence

Coach Pitch / Machine Pitch (Ages 7–8)

• Start teaching effort vs outcome (“Control what you can control”)
• Introduce simple self-talk cues (“I’ve got this”)
• Encourage teammates to use positive phrases
• Build consistency through routines
• Help players handle small frustrations and keep playing

Minors (Ages 9–10)

• Begin using between-pitch reset routines
• Teach players how to manage nerves before at-bats
• Help them understand mistakes as part of improvement
• Reinforce visualization basics (“See success before reps”)
• Encourage healthy competitiveness and composure

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Majors (Ages 11–12)

• Strengthen mental routines for hitting, pitching, defense
• Teach players how to self-evaluate after games
• Help them bounce back quickly from mistakes
• Build confidence through preparation and repetition
• Begin leadership habits (communication, encouragement)

Pony / Juniors (Ages 13–14)

• Use advanced breathing and reset tools after stressful plays
• Teach accountability: owning mistakes + adjusting
• Build resilience during slumps
• Improve competitive focus in bigger environments
• Reinforce visualization for at-bats, pitches, defensive plays

High School Development (Ages 15–16)

• Strengthen routines for pressure moments (tryouts, tournaments)
• Refine visualization: pitch tunnels, sequences, defensive reads
• Build a process-driven mindset (“Win the pitch”)
• Teach emotional regulation in high-stress innings
• Encourage leadership development + strong communication

GAME-READY

MENTAL DRILLS

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1. 5-Second Reset Routine

• After every pitch or play, players take 1 breath
• Shake out shoulders → step into “ready stance”
• Say one cue word: “Focus,” “Next pitch,” or “I’m ready”

2. Confidence Reps

• Before a rep, players say what they’re trying to do (“Hit it hard,” “Strong throw”)
• Visualize success for 1–2 seconds
• Execute the rep
• Praise effort, not outcome

3. Teammate Communication Cue

• Use one phrase every drill: “You got it,” “My ball,” “Great try”
• Helps build leadership + confidence
• Reinforce every time players forget

4. Controlled Breathing Drill

• Players breathe in for 2 seconds → out for 4
• Use before at-bats, pitching, fielding reps
• Builds emotional regulation + composure

5. Mistake Recovery Routine

• Player steps away, takes 1 deep breath
• Says a positive cue: “Next one” or “Reset”
• Physically removes mistake (brush hands off or tap glove)
• Re-enter play with focus

6. Focus Cue Rehearsal

• Coach gives one “focus cue” before each rep
– “Eyes on the ball”
– “Strong front side”
– “Stay balanced”
• Player repeats it out loud, then performs the rep

7. Pressure Simulation Mini-Drill

• Add a mild stressor: countdown timer, competition, or target zone
• Coach emphasizes composure → not outcome
• After rep, ask: “How did you handle the pressure?”

8. Hitting Routine Builder

• Step-in routine: one breath → tap plate → cue word
• Between-pitch reset: short breath → refocus cue
• Helps players stay consistent in games

9. Pitching Mental Routine Starter

• One breath before every pitch
• Visualize location for 1 second
• Say “Hit the glove”
• Repeat every pitch, even in practice

10. Team Confidence Huddle (30 seconds)

• Quick, energetic team reset during rough moments
• 2 players say something positive they see
• Coach gives one focus goal: “Win the inning,” “Great attitudes”

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