Psychology of young hitters

[PEPPERS]

It's real easy to focus on what you want to do (hit the ball hard) with no pressure. The difference is can they perform under pressure. You may need to teach them how to stay relaxed and comfortable in a game like peppers suggested. But some of the problem could also be fear of failure/ disapointment.

Teach them to go to the plate with a plan for what they WILL do, not what they DON"T want to do. The mind is a funny thing. Under pressure a lot of people's goes into a defensive mode. The player will focus on the wrong thing and you can throw all the propper mechanics out the window. It's more of a survival mode. "Please!!.. DON"T let me strike out!!" and what happens? Their focus goes to not letting the ball cross the plate in the strike zone, instead of hitting into the gap, hitting behind the runner, hitting a sac fly, or whatever the team needs.

Relaxing and taking a deep breath between pitches, focusing on what you WILL do, and knowing that you have a good swing and can do it will lead to better comfort at the plate, and improved mechanics and success.

Along this same thought the mind can not process a negative thought, tell someone to not think of a pink elephant and what will they think of a pink elephant. You go to the plate and think don't strikeout more than likley you will strikeout, think only positive thoughts. Instead of going to the plate and think don't swing at the high ball, think see it low, see it low.