Topic: Positive Mental Attitude

Activity:

• Stop! Demonstration
• Have player step into the batter's box. Ask the player what they would be thinking about.
  • Tell them they hit a home run.
  • Have that player step into the box again for another at bat. Now what are thinking about? (likely positive thoughts)
• Have a 2nd player step into the batter's box. Build the players confidence, ask if they want to hit a home run too?
  • Tell them they struck out.
  • Have that player step into the box again for another at bat. Now what are thinking about? (likely negative thoughts)
• Pick a new player to field ground balls. Hit a few easy balls. Then hit some hard ones that player will likely miss.
  • Explain that negative, or "bad," thoughts will not help you make positive, "good" plays on the next ball.
  • Every time a negative thought comes into their head, have them yell, Stop! and take a deep breath.
  • Help them to recognize negative thoughts, and correct them before they create a negative result.

Conversation Starters:

• Q: What is confidence?
  • A: It's believing in yourself that you can meet a challenge and succeed.
• Q: Do you think that staying positive can help you team? How?
  • Answers will vary.

Key Points:

• Your thoughts can actually effect your performance.
• If you're scared or nervous that you might make a mistake, you are actually more likely to make a mistake.
• After a mistake, hit your reset button. Take a deep breath. Think about how you're going to succeed.

“The Ride Home”

• I loved watching you play.
• At school, what are some challenges that you face?
• When something gets tough, what are a few different ways that you could react?
• If you have a big test coming up and you start to worry that you might not do well, will your worry help you do better?
• Learn to recognize when negative thoughts begin to cloud your mind. Stop, give yourself a positive thought (I can do this), then think of how (ask a teacher for help, study an extra 20 minutes, do an extra practice assignment)
• If you're too worried about failing, you'll forget to do the things that will help you succeed.