Mani Mohan Nookala
A cricket coach, former state-level player and sports psychology professional helping athletes develop the mental skills needed to perform with confidence, clarity and consistency.
Experience the Game. Understand the Mind.
Mental performance is best understood when you understand the athlete and the game.
Mani Mohan Nookala brings together experience as a competitive cricketer, professional coach and sports psychology practitioner to help athletes strengthen the mental side of performance.
His approach combines real-world cricket experience with practical mental-performance techniques that athletes can apply during training, competition and high-pressure moments.
A Coach With Experience On Both Sides of the Game
Founder & Hyderabad Mental Performance Coach
Play The Mind
ICC Certified Coach
Level 1 Coach
Sports Psychology
PG Diploma in Sports Psychology — UCAM University, Spain
Business & Leadership
MBA — La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
From Playing the Game to Understanding Performance
Mani's journey as a cricketer has shaped his understanding of what athletes experience on the field — from preparation and competition to pressure, mistakes and setbacks.
Playing Experience
Continuous Learning. Better Athlete Support.
Coaching Beyond
Certified Level 1 Coach
Coaching Beyond Master Class
Wicketkeeping & Fielding
American Heart Association
BLS, CPR & AED Certified
Technical Skills Build the Player. Mental Skills Unlock Performance.
An athlete can train for hours, develop excellent technique and prepare physically — but competition can still test their ability to stay focused, manage emotions and make decisions under pressure.
That's where mental performance becomes important.
At Play the Mind, the goal is not simply to motivate athletes.
It is to help them understand their minds, develop practical mental skills and learn how to apply those skills when performance matters most.
The Approach
Understand
01Recognize how thoughts, emotions and habits influence performance.
Train
02Develop practical mental-performance skills.
Apply
03Use those skills during training and competition.
Reflect
04Review experiences, challenges and performance.
Improve
05Build stronger and more consistent performance habits.
Practical. Sport-Specific. Athlete-Focused.
Play the Mind sessions are designed to connect mental skills with real sporting situations.
Athletes may work on:
Focus & Concentration
Stay present and focus on what matters.
Confidence
Build confidence that can withstand pressure and setbacks.
Pressure Management
Manage nerves and competition anxiety.
Emotional Control
Recognize emotions and develop strategies to reset.
Nutritionist
Provide personalized dietary plans and nutritional advice for optimal health.
Decision-Making
Develop clearer thinking when the pressure is high.
Strength & Conditioning
Build strength, prevent injuries and optimize recovery.
Leadership & Communication
Build communication and leadership skills.
Because the Mind Is Part of the Game.
“Mental performance should be trained just like technique, fitness and tactical awareness.”
Play the Mind was created around a simple belief:
Athletes shouldn't have to wait until they struggle with pressure or confidence before developing these skills.
Through structured training, practical exercises and ongoing development, Play the Mind helps athletes build a stronger mental foundation for competition and long-term growth.
Ready to Train the Mind Behind Your Performance?
Build the confidence, focus and mental toughness to perform when it matters most.