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YBE 018: Helping Kids With The Mental Game Of Baseball with Justin Su’a

By Rob Tong | March 15, 2016 2 Comments

YBE 018 art
Justin Su'a, the Boston Red Sox Mental Skills Coordinator, shares his strategies for helping kids navigate the mental side of the youth baseball game. Plus, Justin Stone of elitebaseball.tv answers the Question Of The Week about whether travel ball is required for high school ball. Have your own question? Ask Justin and get an answer!

In this 59-minute episode, you'll learn:

  • why confidence is a choice
  • why confidence is not a feeling
  • what to focus on to create true confidence, which the pros do
  • the different mental skills the pros work on
  • the importance of a routine
  • whether a motivational placebo is effective
  • how to help players motivate themselves
  • the importance of connecting with your players, and how
  • what self-awareness is, and how to help players improve it
  • how to help kids who are sensitive to failure
  • whether to tell upset kids to calm down or to redirect their energy
  • how to instill kids leadership
  • whether naming team captains is productive or counter-productive
  • whether coaches should ask players to set goals
  • how to help kids increase mental toughness
Resources mentioned in this episode:
  • podcast interview with Joe Hallinan in Session #2
  • podcast interview with John T. Reed in Session #8
  • Harvey Dorfman's seminal book The Mental Game of Baseball
Right-click on this link and 'Save as...' to download this episode.

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