I am aware that you can not truly recreate game pressure
This is pretty much in line with my philosophy. I try to teach the kids the tools and fundamentals they can use in the game, but I allow them to “learn the game through the game”.This is true, so ask yourself if it's worth it to truly spend a lot of time trying.
I don't have all the answers, but I'm pretty sure I have the right idea here. For most people, what creates nervousness under pressure is feeling unprepared for the moment.
If you were teaching a class, would you spend a bunch of class time giving practice tests leading up to the big final, or would you spend that class time teaching them the material so when it comes to test time, the students (who do their part) know the answers? Of course, some people are just bad at tests. I have no idea how to break through that mental block.
It just makes so much more sense to me to spend precious practice time helping players develop the skills needed to be successful on the field. The only way to get better at handling the pressure is to do it. Usually that means failing a few times. But the more games they play, the more times they deal with pressure, they will get better at handling it.
Burpees have worked for my DD in her pitching lessons. When she succeeds, her pitching coach does them instead. I am not sure it created Pressure, but they certainly snap her into focus.Burpees for team for misplayed balls at practice.
After about five, he would start talking to her. He would say she was no good, a terrible pitcher, and that she was going to throw the next pitch over her head...it was done in a teasing manner, so it was kind of funny. E.g., "You are as soft as whipped cream. No, you are softer than whipped cream. You are the air in whipped cream." Sooner or later, she would chuck one five feet over the catcher's head.