The Impact of Coaching on Hitters

How Hitting Voices Shape Performance, Confidence, and Growth
In today’s data-driven, content-heavy baseball world, hitters are constantly influenced by what we call “hitting voices.” These voices—whether from coaches, teammates, YouTube, or social media—play a critical role in shaping a player’s mindset, confidence, and long-term development.
But with so much noise, how does a player stay grounded? How can coaching truly help a hitter take ownership of their game instead of causing confusion?

🎙️ What Are Hitting Voices?Hitting voices are the individuals or sources that influence how a player approaches hitting. This includes:

• Coaches (past and present)
• Peers and teammates
• Online videos, social media, and baseball influencers

These voices shape swing mechanics, mental approach, and even self-belief. While some voices bring clarity and confidence, others can lead to overload and doubt—especially during formative years.

🚧 The Transition: Middle School to High SchoolAs players move from middle school to high school, they’re suddenly exposed to a wider range of hitting input—sometimes from several different sources in a single day.

• One coach wants more launch angle.
• Another emphasizes barrel control.
• A teammate swears by a viral swing tip.

Without a system in place to filter and process this input, young hitters can easily get overwhelmed.

🧠 The Player's Role: Be the CEO of Your HittingAt Mike Bard Baseball, we teach players to treat themselves as the CEO of their swing—with every hitting voice acting as an assistant in the process.
Coaches provide strategy. Peers offer feedback. The media might offer inspiration.
But the player makes the final call.
This mindset:

• Promotes ownership
• Sharpens decision-making
• Builds mental toughness

🛠️ How to Filter the NoiseHitters must develop the skill of filtering information—deciding what’s helpful, what’s not, and what aligns with their personal hitting values.
Key filtering questions:

• Does this advice align with what I know about my body/swing?
• Can I replicate this consistently under pressure?
• Does it fit within my training plan?

Learning to listen actively, question respectfully, and apply selectively is a major growth point for any competitive hitter.

🙏 The Role of Humility in CoachingGreat coaches—and great hitters—share a common trait: humility.
No one has all the answers, and growth comes from the willingness to:

• Acknowledge gaps in knowledge
• Stay open to feedback
• Adjust as needed

A humble approach to coaching fosters a productive learning environment built on mutual respect and collaboration.

✅ Using Coaching Resources EffectivelyTo fully benefit from hitting voices, players must:

• Respect coaching experience
• Ask questions
• Give feedback time to work
• Establish personal hitting values that act as a compass for growth

When players take responsibility for their development and treat coaching as a resource—not a rulebook—they become more confident, adaptable, and successful.

Final Thought:The goal isn’t to block out voices—it’s to become a better listener, thinker, and decision-maker.
Be the CEO of your swing. Let others advise, but you lead.

#coaching #hitters #decisionmaking #listening #success
📩 Want 1-on-1 coaching that teaches not just what to do, but how to think like an elite hitter? Contact us today.