Baseball IQ starts with situational awareness.

What is situational awareness?

Situational awareness is the ability to read the game before it happens. Players who know what to do before the ball is hit avoid costly mistakes and play with confidence.

In this post, we’ll break down how coaches can train situational awareness every day at practice.

👉 New to Baseball IQ? Start with our guide: What Is Baseball IQ? And Why It Matters.

Why Situational Awareness Matters

• Reduces mental errors on defense

• Speeds up reactions

• Builds team chemistry through communication

Gives players confidence under pressure

3 Coaching Strategies That Work

1. Pre-Pitch Routines

• Teach players to ask: “If the ball is hit to me, what’s my play?” before every pitch.

• Reinforce this thinking with quick Q&A between pitches.

2. Controlled Chaos Drills

• Create multiple-runner, multiple-out situations.

• Call “live ball” and let players sort it out in real time.

• Pause and discuss choices afterward.

3. Teach from Mistakes

• After scrimmages, replay key moments.

• Ask players: “What were your options? What would you do differently?”

• This reflection cements smarter habits.

  👉 The most efficient way to practice situational awareness that is consistent, actionable, repeatable, and exactly executed with game-like situations at game-like speed is Intra-Squad with a Purpose.

  👉 This 12-30 minutes team drill will put your team in all defensive, hitting, and baserunning situations with no planning on your part - it’s a done-for-you practice plan ready to print and go.

  👉 If you want to focus on defense, be sure to use the Defensive Drill Series Bundle that gives you consistent, actionable, repeatable, and exact drills for individual, group, and team work that covers ALL situations.

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  Adding Pressure to Simulate Games

  The best situational awareness training comes under pressure. Use timers, competition, and scoring systems to replicate the stress of a game.

  👉 For a deeper set of drills, see: 7 Baseball IQ Drills Every Coach Should Be Using.

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  Final Thought
  Situational awareness doesn’t develop overnight; it’s built through repetition, teaching, and accountability. If you make it a daily focus, your team will cut mistakes and play smarter baseball.

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  More Articles on Baseball IQ

  7 Baseball IQ Drills Every Coach Should Be Using

  Baserunning IQ: Teaching Aggression Without Mistakes

  Why Baseball Is 90% Mental (And How Players Can Train Their Minds)

  Why Situational Awareness Wins Baseball Games (And How to Teach It)

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  Coaching Resources to Help You Teach Baseball IQ

  • Pitching Program for High School Players

  • Complete Program Manual

  • Baseball Strength and Conditioning

  • Intrasquad With A Purpose

  • Defensive Drill Series Bundle