DD is a 9th grader at her high school. The high schools here go from 9 to 12. Last year's 8th grade was spent in a middle school with no softball team. So you could imagine the excitement DD has for finally playing some school ball. Recently, DD and her school have been participating in " winter workouts." No official practicing. Just some workouts which will eventually lead into tryouts.
We, her parents, pay a very well known hitting instructor every week to help dd along her journey. We believe in his hitting model and he has had quite a few elite Division 1 students .
DD's high school coach is a strong willed young lady who actually played college ball herself and is an excellent coach in terms of pushing the girls and motivating them. After taking over the program last year, her team won a school championship.
DD was visibly upset after practice and told us that the coach tried to change a couple things in her swing. One of which was trying to get dd to "squish the bug." After DD tried it a few times, she gave up and proceeded to hit the way she's been taught. This caused the coach to make it a point to yell out in frustration and told dd that if she didn't swing the way she was telling her to, she wouldn't get any playing time. Mind you, DD has always been a middle of the lineup hitter throughout her young playing career.
For all you high school parents out there, would it be ok for me to talk to my dd's coach or should I take a wait and see approach?
BD, I think you should respectfully talk to this coach. I'd mention that this is the way she's been taught, it produced results in the past, and there's every reason to think she will be among the most productive hitters on the team. Maybe say something to the effect that different coaches teach different things, you respect that, but in your daughters particular case she's been coached by so and so who has produced very successful hitters and your very concerned about changing. If she starts getting technical on you, just ask if she would mind talking to the hitting instructor personally. Don't worry about being "one of those parents". It's better than having your daughter regress. Sorry to hear about this kind of thing..