|
|
| |
|
| |
Nickname:
orlandobaseball5050
Posts: 61
Member Since: 1/28/09
Posted: 4/22/2009 3:21am
Views: 602
Replies: -1
|
|
Dealing With A Slump - Taking Pitches
|
We live in Florida so we have been playing baseball for a while this year. He takes lessons and is involved in both travel and league ball at the 11u/major level.
For the past month, I have seen my son get into a slump lately. His mechanics and form for hitting are all solid, but he has been **taking** a lot of pitches.
So, he finds himself down on the count 85% of the time.
I asked him today and he said last year he was just going up and swinging. He seemed to his the ball to the fence more and certainly got on more hits. This year, the expectations were raised by him, me, and his coaches.
He told me yesterday, that this year, he has all kinds of things in his head about what to do when up to bat. Probably a result of all of these expectations and pressure.
What can you suggest?
My gut tells me I should go the other direction and, instead of talking a lot about instructions, when up to bat,, just tell him to swing away and take your chances.
This would be a different from our normal style, but I think a change may be in order.
I thank you, in advance, for your suggestions.
|
| |
|
| |
Nickname:
Daque
Posts: 3229
Member Since: 7/01/03
Posted: 4/22/2009 4:07am
Views: 597
Replies: 1
|
|
Re: Dealing With A Slump - Taking Pitches
|
When the pitcher is in his delivery mode all thinking is over and it is time to react. There is not enough time to be thinking except for the decision of whether or not the pitch is a hittable one.
Do not concern yourself with whether this pitch is a ball or a strike. That is the umpire's job.
Somehow his mind has become cluttered at a time when it should be teanquil.
|
| |
|
| |
Nickname:
kal_
Posts: 2942
Member Since: 6/06/02
Posted: 4/22/2009 6:45am
Views: 556
Replies: 1
|
|
Re: Dealing With A Slump - Taking Pitches
|
"What can you suggest?"
1. Back off regarding games and results... let the game become fun again.
2. Practice - soft toss, BP, etc. Build up with praise, always be positive. (If he swings and misses, tell him "nice swing".)
Positive, positive, positive...
|
| |
|
| |
Nickname:
Danbam
Posts: 939
Member Since: 3/28/07
Posted: 4/22/2009 2:27pm
Views: 495
Replies: 0
|
|
Re: Dealing With A Slump - Taking Pitches
|
This is the advice I used to give my son at 11. If it isn't on the ground or over your head, swing as hard as you can.
That usually broke him of a slump. You can't hit the ball with authority if you are worried about technique and location. Just take your hacks and see if you can make your shoes fall off.
But then again it just might be a growth spurt issue. When they start putting on the inches, the swing usually goes to heck. Same with the pitching motion.
|
| |
|
| |
Nickname:
TG.
Posts: 3522
Member Since: 7/25/07
Posted: 4/22/2009 8:01pm
Views: 483
Replies: 1
|
|
Re: Dealing With A Slump - Taking Pitches
|
Taking pitches is a sign of being tentative. Within the realm of swinging at hittable pitches, he needs to start hacking away.
When he takes BP have him stop while he's hitting the ball well. He will have a positive visual to take to the plate.
|
| |
|
| |
Nickname:
busman__1
Posts: 3410
Member Since: 5/17/02
Posted: 4/23/2009 8:16am
Views: 457
Replies: 0
|
|
Re: Dealing With A Slump - Taking Pitches
|
Throw batting practice and have him hit every pitch. Tell him not to worry about the batters box, strike zone, home plate, etc. Throw some purposely well out of the strike zone, but at a slow speed, so he can move and hit them.
Then have him get on one knee and hit the pitches. Have him stand on one foot. Then the other foot. Have hiom choke up to make the bat about 18 inches and hit them. Any other variation yu can think of. If he has a good friend, have them alternate doign the same thing.
What you are doing is building confidence. Confidnece that he can hit anything, so he doesn't have to be selective. His mind is not on mechanics, it is on making contact.
My PONY league coach did that with about 4 of us several practice sessions and we literally upped our batting averages by probably 50-100 points.
|
|
People actually get paid for this stuff
< < Previous Topic
|
Next Topic > > Appeal or not?
|
Report Abuse
