Many of you have heard me speak of the 3 phases I teach in pitching. Phase 1 is locating your pitches. It is fundamental, and must come before everything else. Phase 2 is having a strategy, since you can locate your pitches, it is wise to change speeds, work inside and out and aggressively finish off hitters. I rarely speak about the 3^rd phase, because it is all in our head. Once players can command the ball, and know how to play the game, the question still stands, can they execute?

As we all know, there is a physical side to sports, which is extremely important to peak performance and, of course, there is the mental side. The better the athlete, the higher ceiling for success than those less physically gifted. However, players who are less physically gifted, can compete with the best when they are mentally strong. Players, who put the two together, are the players that reach their potential, not always an easy thing to do, though.

This is why having good coaching can make all the difference in players’ careers. Having worked with athletes for many years, I realize that it is a never-ending process of building up the mental side of ball players. No players have constant success, even the best ones, so building players self-esteem and confidence, which can be elusive things, is a constant goal of the baseball coach.

There is no tougher sport than baseball, especially on the mental side. Failure is such a big part of baseball with even the best players in the world making many more outs than hits, over the course of the season. In addition, the pressure on pitchers is very high as they are the center of the game. Baseball players must be able to handle this failure and pressure to maintain their desire to keep playing.

Support from adults and coaches are crucial to develop mentally tough players. Over time, this mental support builds up players’ abilities to handle adversity, as well as building confidence, aggressiveness, focus and love of the game.

Following are some of the moral support statements and mental baseball tips that baseball coaches should be passing on to youth ballplayers so that players gain the aforementioned, necessary attributes.

Sports Reality 

“That’s part of the game” – This may sound simple and obvious, but it is so important when ballplayers inevitably struggle. It helps kids understand that certain baseball events happen all the time to everybody, not just to them, and that they have to get used to it in order to handle adversity. Statements like “Hang in there,” “You’ll get them next time,” and “Things will change” all express the same things.

Sport Focus

“See (concentrate on) the ball” – This statement attempts to put the player in the “here and now” and not in the “what might happen” frame of mind. This is important so kids can “Stay focused on the task at hand” and helps them concentrate through any fears they may have, as well as keeping their mind off of the mechanics and focus on the ball, where it should be.

Confidence in Sports

“You can do it” – the word you is the most empowering word there is when used in a positive way. Kids need to know that coaches believe in them and statements, as these, tell kids that.

Trust in Ability

“That’s why you practice, so you don’t have to think during the game” – This takes a while for kids to get to this point but those who develop their instincts and talent, and allow those to take over during the action, get in the zone most often and succeed the most.

Fear of Failure

“You are like me, I was always nervous when I played,” or “I have been there too, it will get better” are statements that let kids know that you have the background and experience to deal with their fears. Fear of injury and fear of failure are real and coaches who can speak from experience help kids with those fears.

Sport Motivation

“You can only control two things, your preparation, and your effort, not the outcome” – All baseball players must be reminded of this continually because of the frustration and difficulty. Players, who prepare and give their best effort, come to realize that they are usually rewarded with good game results but also realize that there are no guarantees in sport.

Strive for Excellence

“The more you practice this the correct way the better your chances of succeeding” tells kids that it is “Perfect practice that makes perfect” and not just any practice. Attention to detail is necessary for long-range success.

Overcoming Adversity

“If it was easy, everyone would do it” puts it all in perspective and helps kids understand that it is hard to be good and that success is not automatic. Along the same lines, I often find myself saying, “Even the best in the world struggle at this,” to my students.

Proper Perspective

“Your goal is not to prove anything to anyone, but to improve,” is important for kids to realize they should be playing for themselves, team, and love of sport. Playing just to prove something to others leads to shallow feelings in the end.

Optimistic Outlook

“You are one play away from putting it all together, so stay ready” is the only attitude good players should have so they have hope, which is necessary even when confidence is lacking.

Ultimately, what separates good coaches from the great ones are those that develop players’ physically and mentally, giving ballplayers the opportunity to reach their potential.