Jessica Pauls, Weatherford- Coaching the Invisible Game

Great athletes are built on more than physical skills — they need the mental tools to thrive under pressure. In this course, Coach Jessica Pauls, Head Softball Coach at Weatherford High School and longtime advocate for athlete mental wellness, shares proven strategies for strengthening the invisible game every athlete plays: the battle of mindset, confidence, and resilience.

Drawing from her experience coaching elite-level players and guiding teams through high-stakes playoff runs, Coach Pauls unpacks how to:

• Recognize and address the growing mental health challenges in high school athletics.

• Implement practical tools like confidence cards, game-day journals, and daily affirmations.

• Build high-pressure simulations in practice to prepare athletes for real game-day stress.

• Foster a culture rooted in belief, resilience, and accountability.

• Strengthen athlete–coach–parent relationships to create a supportive ecosystem.

• Use book studies, team-building events, and community engagement to shape long-term culture.

This course blends real-world coaching stories, practical exercises, and culture-building frameworks to equip coaches, teachers, and athletic leaders with the skills to train not just stronger athletes, but more resilient, self-aware, and confident young people.