Michael Nagamatsu

For Baseball players, here’s a simple cheat sheet for improving mental skills through intentional self-talk management by proactively replacing negative or unproductive thoughts/words with highly effective, positive, process oriented words/phrases. You have to be able to identify and recognize the negative internal thoughts, and be able to turn them around in real time. This works at the highest of levels. Here’s the cheat sheet. ⬇️ • Delete “I can’t” Use➡️ “I’m working on it” • Delete “Why did I do that” Use➡️ “Trust my approach” • Delete “I suck” Use➡️ “Learn from it” • Delete “Don’t strike out” Use➡️ “Do maximum damage” • Delete “Don’t walk him” Use➡️ “Attack the zone” • Delete “This slump is killing my season” Use➡️ “Been here before, I’ll be better than ever” • Delete “Don’t make an error” Use➡️ “Be an athlete and attack” • Delete “I’m terrible today” Use➡️ “Reset, next one, compete” • Delete “What’s wrong with me” Use➡️ “Stick to my approach” • Delete “ I’m choking” Use➡️ “ Breathe, see the ball” • Delete “Don’t chase” Use➡️ “Attack the zone” • Delete “ I can’t buy a hit” Use➡️ “Quality barrels” • Delete “I’m scared to throw this” Use➡️ “Commit to it” • Delete “Don’t boot it” Use➡️ “Soft hands” • Delete “Get me out of here” Use➡️ “Stay in it” • Delete “I hate myself right now” Use➡️ “Deep breath, trust my abilities” • Delete “I don’t belong here” Use➡️ “I earned this” • Delete “I’m late on everything” Use➡️ “ Stay middle, trust your hands” • Delete “I’m losing it” Use➡️ “Reset and attack” #BaseballMindset #MentalGame

A little simple cheat sheet for baseball hitters looking to improve in these development areas. One drill for each of these modern hitting development focus areas ⬇️ • Improve Bat Speed: Overload/Underload/Neutral bat training. Heavy bat to light bat to game bat. Verbal cue: fast and aggressive through the hitting zone. Goal is to increase bat speed but maintain mechanics. Mid-70s+ MPH bat speed is a good goal. • Attack Angle Work: Low Tee/High Tee Attack Drill. Low tee goal should be stay middle and match the plane and stay through the ball. High tee goal is to adjust barrel mechanics and produce line drive quality contact. Overall with attack angle, the pitch location should always dictate attack angle. This tee drill will help you develop swing adaptability in the box. • Swing Decision Improvement: Take/Attack BP. Mix BP in/out of zone, take or attack. Verbal cue: Hunt your pitch. Do not swing at balls. Develop plate discipline and stay consistent with your plan. • Bat-to-Ball Barrel Control Improvement: Short Bat Drill. This will train barrel control and adjustability. Verbal cue: control the barrel, don’t chase the ball. • If you feel you have energy transfer issues: Step through drill. Feet start close together then move during swing. Verbal cue: move toward pitcher while staying athletic. • Sequencing improvement: Step behind drill. Walk toward box, step in, land, swing. Movement-Separation-Rotation-Barrel In terms of launch angle. This is talked about extensively. The reality is there is no “perfect” angle. Bottom line, just do damage. Damaging contact is what you want. Be super athletic in the box. Develop swing adaptability and be less rigid. Attack strikes. And be aggressive. #PlayerDevelopment

Hitters: Hitting is hard, but shouldn’t be complicated. Be less rigid, and more adaptable. Build a routine that translates. Keep your head space positive, and self-talk motivating. Master the cage, and surround yourself with coaches that you trust and those that care about your development.

Coaching and scouting professional level players starts with trust and a great relationship. Working beside, not from above. @ClintHurdle13 is a great example of that, and many others. Proactively investing into the development and relationship of the players is so important.