BASEBALL COACHES UNPLUGGED

The Secret To Player Confidence That No One Talks About in Baseball

August 14, 2024 Ken Carpenter Season 2 Episode 109

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What if your body language could make or break your athletic career? Join veteran high school baseball coach Ken Carpenter on Athlete 1 as he uncovers the extraordinary influence of non-verbal communication on sports performance and recruitment. This episode is packed with insights on how maintaining positive body language, even under the most intense pressure, can give athletes the edge they need to impress college scouts and elevate their game. Ken offers practical strategies for both players and coaches, emphasizing the importance of setting early expectations and modeling exemplary behavior to foster a resilient and confident team.

Players, this episode is a game-changer! Learn how to transform negative gestures into a powerhouse of confidence and focus. Ken dives into actionable techniques such as deep breathing exercises and visualization, designed to keep athletes composed and at their peak performance. Discover how to control your mindset and make a lasting impression on and off the field. Whether you're aiming for a college scholarship or striving to lead your team, mastering the art of body language is your key to success. Tune in to Athlete 1 and transform the way you think about your game!

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Speaker 1:

You're locked in to the Athlete One podcast powered by the netting professionals, improving programs one facility at a time. The netting pros specialize in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for baseball and softball. This includes backstops, batting cages, bp turtles screens, ball carts and more turtles screens, ball carts and more. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding, windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches and cubbies. The netting pros also work with football, soccer, lacrosse and golf courses. Netting pros continue to provide quality products and services to many recreational, high school, college and professional fields and facilities throughout the country. Contact them today at 844-620-2707 or visit them online at wwwnettingproscom, or you can check out Netting Pros on Twitter, instagram, facebook and LinkedIn for all their latest products and projects.

Speaker 2:

You're locked in to Athlete One, a podcast for athletes and coaches Coming to you from Dublin, ohio, here to bring you expert advice, insightful conversations and powerful stories from guests who play or coach sports. Now veteran high school baseball coach and someone who has jumped out of perfectly good airplanes your host, ken Carpenter.

Speaker 1:

Welcome back to the Athlete One, a podcast for baseball coaches wanting to add to their coaching toolbox and players looking to take their game to the next level. I'm your host, Ken Carpenter, and today we're diving into a topic that's critical for both players and coaches alike the impact of body language on your performance and recruitment prospects. Whether you're a high school athlete aiming for a college scholarship or a coach looking to inspire your team, understanding the power of body language can make all the difference. Let's get into it. Let's start with the basics. Body language is the non-verbal communication we convey through our posture, facial expressions and movements. On the baseball field, your body language speaks volumes. It tells your coaches, teammates and even On the baseball field, your body language speaks volumes. It tells your coaches, teammates and even opponents how you're feeling and handling the pressures of the game. Poor body language, like slumping shoulders, dragging feet or visibly showing frustration, can negatively impact your performance and the overall team dynamic. Imagine you're a college coach at a game scouting potential recruits. You see two players one who stays composed and positive even after striking out, and another who slams their bat down in frustration and walks back to the dugout with a scowl. Which player do you think will leave a better impression.

Speaker 1:

College coaches are looking for athletes who can handle adversity with grace and maintain a positive attitude no matter the circumstances. As a coach, it's crucial to communicate the importance of positive body language to your players. Here are some clear communication strategies to help you do just that. Set expectations early At the beginning of the season. Have a team meeting to discuss the importance of body language. Explain how it affects individual performance, team morale and recruitment opportunities. Make it clear that maintaining positive body language is a non-negotiable part of being on the team. Lead by example. Coaches need to model the behavior they expect from their players. Show calm and composure, especially during high-pressure situations. Your players will take cues from your behavior, so make sure you're setting the right example. Provide constructive feedback. When you see a player displaying poor body language, address it immediately, but constructively. Pull them aside and explain how their behavior is being perceived and how it can be improved. Use specific examples to make your point clear. Reinforce positive behavior. Acknowledge and praise players who consistently show good body language. This positive reinforcement will encourage others to follow suit. Highlight examples of players who handle adversity well during team meetings or video review sessions. Teach resilience. Incorporate mental toughness training into your practice routine. Teach players techniques to stay calm and focused, such as deep breathing exercises or visualization. The more resilient they are, the better they'll handle tough situations. Now let's talk directly to the players.

Speaker 1:

Your body language affects not just how others see you, but also how you perform. Negative body language can lead to a negative mindset, which, in turn, affects your focus and decision-making on the field. On the other hand, maintaining positive body language can boost your confidence and help you stay in the moment, leading to better performance. When things don't go your way whether it's a strikeout, an error or a bad call take a moment to regroup, keep your head up, take a deep breath and remind yourself that the game isn't over. Your reaction in these moments shows your teammates that you're still in the game and ready to give your best effort.

Speaker 1:

Remember, college coaches are always watching. They're not just looking for talent. They're looking for players who can handle the ups and downs of the game with maturity and resilience. Poor body language can be a red flag for them, signaling that a player might struggle with the mental aspects of the game at the next level. To wrap things up, both players and coaches need to understand the profound impact of body language on performance and recruitment. By setting clear expectations, modeling positive behavior and teaching resilience, we can create a team culture that thrives under pressure. That's all for today's episode of the Athlete One Podcast. Thanks for tuning in. If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave us a review and, as always, keep striving for excellence on and off the field.

Speaker 2:

You've been listening to the Athlete One podcast. Be sure to subscribe on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts, to get new, fresh, weekly episodes. For more, please follow us on Instagram, x and Facebook, or visit our website at wwwathlete1.net. That's athlete the number one dot net.

Speaker 1:

The Athlete One podcast is proudly sponsored by the netting professionals. Improving programs one facility at a time, facility at a time. Contact them today at 844-620-2707, or visit them online at wwwnettingproscom.

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