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You hear it all the time we got to become mentally tougher.
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We got to have a next play mentality.
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Hello and welcome to Baseball Coaches Unplugged.
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I'm your host, coach Ken Carpenter, and in this episode you're going to discover what coaches want from every one of their players A next play mentality and developing mental toughness.
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Play mentality and developing mental toughness.
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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.
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Next on baseball coaches unplugged.
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Welcome to baseball coaches unplugged with coach Ken Carpenter, Presented by AthleteOne.
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Baseball Coaches Unplugged is a podcast for baseball coaches With 27 years of high school baseball coaching under his belt, here to bring you the inside scoop on all things baseball, From game-winning strategies and pitching secrets to hitting drills and defensive drills.
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We're covering it all.
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Whether you're a high school coach, college coach or just a baseball enthusiast, We'll see you next time, coaching leadership and crafting a team culture that champions productivity and success.
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Join Coach every week as he breaks down the game and shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories.
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Your competitive edge starts here, so check out the show weekly and hear from the best coaches in the game.
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On Baseball Coaches Unplugged.
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This episode of Baseball Coaches Unplugged is powered by the netting professionals improving programs one facility at a time.
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The netting pros specialize in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for baseball and softball.
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Today we're going to talk about something crucial for every high school player's development their mindset focusing on the next play.
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If you've been around high school baseball long enough, you know that the mental game is just as important as the physical one.
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But how do we, as coaches, teach mindset?
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How do we get our players to shake off the mistakes, stay confident and keep grinding, even when the going gets tough?
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Today I'm breaking down specific strategies you can use to train your players' minds for the game.
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Let's get into it First up.
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Let's talk about visualization and mental imagery.
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It's all about helping players see their success before it happens.
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Here's how you can bring this into your practice.
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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.
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Think bases loaded, two outs, game on the line.
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Now walk them through it, see themselves taking a deep breath, stepping into the box, tracking the pitch, making contact.
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When they visualize success, they're creating a mental rep that actually makes these moments feel more familiar when they happen.
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This exercise has been used by pros in college and some of the top athletes for years.
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It can work wonders for high school players trying to build confidence under pressure.
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Next up, let's talk goal setting.
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I know goal setting might seem straightforward, but here's the key.
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We want our players setting process goals, not just outcome goals.
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What do I mean by that?
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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.
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Maybe it's improving their swing mechanics, working on footwork or learning to read pitches better.
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When players focus on things they can control, they learn to value effort and progress over career results.
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It keeps them motivated and builds their confidence and helps them stay positive even if they don't see immediate results.
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And helps them stay positive even if they don't see immediate results.
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Now here's a technique I love, and I love it when coaches talk about it.
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It's the next play mindset.
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This is all about moving on from mistakes quickly.
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Teach your players to say next play, reset whatever words you want to come up with after every play, especially after a mistake.
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This habit helps them let go of the errors and focus on the current moment.
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Baseball is a mental game and mistakes can spiral if players can't shake them off.
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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?
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So the next time a player strikes out or misses a play, remind them next play.
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It's a simple phrase that can be incredibly powerful for keeping their heads in the game.
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Next up, let's talk about self-talk.
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Every player has the inner voice and sometimes it's not the friendliest voice.
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It's easy to get into a cycle of negative self-talk, especially after you've had a rough game.
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Help your players practice positive self-talk by identifying negative thoughts and replacing them with empowering ones.
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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.
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This small shift in language can build a mental toughness and keep players from getting stuck in a rut of self-doubt.
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One of the most impactful ways to encourage a positive mindset is recognizing effort over results.
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And yes, I get it.
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Everybody wants to win.
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Everybody wants to go four for four at the plate and throw a complete game as a pitcher.
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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.
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When players know that their effort is recognized and valued, they're more likely to stay motivated and keep working.
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Plus, it creates a team of culture where players feel respected for their hard work, not just their stats.
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A great tool that's underused in baseball is journaling.
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Get your players in the habit of keeping a simple journal where they reflect on each game or practice.
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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.
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Do next time to improve in that area.
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This helps players to reflect on their progress, making them more self-aware and helping them see mistakes as part of the learning process.
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Plus, it reinforces a growth mindset by showing them how far they've come.
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One of my favorite tools in high pressure moments is breathing and centering techniques.
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Simple breathing exercises can't be overlooked.
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It's something you see if you watch the College, world Series, major League Baseball.
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Every time a player steps into pitch, they take a deep breath.
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Every time they step in to hit, they're taking a deep breath before the pitch happens.
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Simple breathing exercises can work wonders for focus and calm.
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Teach your players the 4-7-8 technique Inhale for four seconds, hold for seven seconds and exhale for eight.
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Hold for 7 seconds and exhale for 8.
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This can be a game changer for calming your nerves before a big at bat or in a high stress moment on the field.
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It's simple, but it really helps players stay grounded and reset Now.
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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.
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Help identify for players what they can learn.
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Ask questions like what did you notice about today's game or what could we try differently next time?
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This reframes failure as a learning experience which builds resilience about today's game.
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Or what could we try differently next time?
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This reframes failure as a learning experience which builds resilience.
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Over time, your players start seeing mistakes as part of the growth which keeps them positive and curious rather than afraid of messing up.
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That wraps up today's episode on building a positive mindset for your high school baseball players.
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Remember, these aren't just mental tricks.
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They're powerful skills that will help your players grow, not only on the field, but in every part of their life.
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If you found today's episode helpful, be sure to subscribe, share it with another coach and leave a review.
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Baseball Coaches Unplugged is proud to be partnered with the netting professionals and brewing programs, one facility at a time.
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Contact them today at 844-620-2707.
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That's 844-620-2707.
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As always, I'm your host, ken Carpenter, and thanks for listening to Baseball Coaches Unplugged.
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