Game swings and things to work on over the winter.

Here are a few game swings, including misses, pop ups and weak line drives.
https://youtu.be/ClQ_BHs8Xrc

https://youtu.be/_31ngcZpesc

https://youtu.be/VwzaGnzU9wE

http://youtu.be/0TngMOPtGb4

This kid seems to love the game and doesn't really struggle with the pressure but she has not been able to consistently drive the ball in 12u. One in 30 at bats she will bang it to the outfield. But the other 29 look like these. I do see it getting better than what it has been but would really like to see it progress more rapidly. (Who wouldn't, right?) She will be 10 in December.


I don't like how she is "stacked vertical" in her stance but I'm not sure that is the first thing to fix. I know she is dropping her hands some but it has improved. We have also been working on prepare to throw and getting the read elbow up a little more. This has helped her Dbsf issues but obviously has not fixed it completely.

(Sorry to only provide YouTube links. If you look through my channel you'll see some older swings as well)

So let's play nice and help me help my DD. Just looking for constructive criticism for she and I to work on in the "off season".

<iframe src="https://vine.co/v/iBD79p5pmTL/embed/simple" width="480" height="480" frameborder="0"></iframe><script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>

I like her intent. Help her learn to move/leverage her athleticism

I don't see anything mechanically in these swings that is prohibiting her from hitting the pitching she is facing. Could be that she is just adjusting to the timing of 12U. I would get her a lot of live BP in the off season against a good pitcher just to build her confidence and give her a hitter's mentality.

My 11 year old is not better mechanically and she is having no problem with the move up to 12U. But she gets to face her sister pitching to her on a regular basis so when she gets in the batter's box, everything she faces seems like it is in slow motion she just digs in and KNOWS she can hit it because she has hit far better pitching than she sees at her games.

Disclaimer- this does not mean that I think her swing is perfect, it is just that it does not seem to be in a state of impeding her progress. We often discuss mechanics like they will make a girl go from a poor hitter to a good one and that is not the case. Sometimes it is pitch selection, confidence, aggressiveness or some other mental blockage that is keeping a hitter from performing at her best.

I didn't post a 'swing and a miss' to be a bad guy. I posted the swing/gif because I thought it showed a good swing.

Again posted not to show a 'swing and a miss' but because something in this swing and the other swings 'jumps out' at me. What I see can be an easy fix to start with and might help your DD from being late on the pitched balls.

dropping her hands as her front leg fans open - there is really no engagement of her core/hips/torso to the arms.

needs to work hands up/back as front leg opens.

rdbass said:

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Thanks RD for the gifs! Just a note on this one. The video is shaky due to 25-30 mph winds with 40 mph gust and this complex uses netting instead of chain link. All of the game videos from Saturday were terrible. I saw a ball hit to the outfield that blew back into the infield! lol

Thanks for the positive comments and feedback. I have really learned a lot on dfp and appreciate the info!

dropping her hands as her front leg fans open

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Yes, I see that but, what 'jumps out at me'.......drum roll....
You DD does not start early and slow'...your DD does not move at all when the pitcher moves. Your DD needs to start moving and not stand there like a statue when the pitcher starts. That's why your DD seems to be late on pitches. Early & slow...and then needs to time the ball in the air.

1) time the pitcher
2) time the pitch

Buttermaker said:

dropping her hands as her front leg fans open - there is really no engagement of her core/hips/torso to the arms.

Click to expand...

Ray,

I see a core that is engaged pretty well



Sure her hands drop but IMO I think this is where people get lost in what you advocate...I know I do

How are you getting kids to let the core control the hands? What would you say to this girl - other than "move your hands up and back" to get her to move her hands up and back in sync with her core?

CP