is there such a thing as trying to hard to get a hit ?????

[justwannaplay]

My daughter is kinda hott and cold .. one weekend she is like a hitting machine going 3 for 4 or 2 for 3
And the next go 1-7 .. seems like she does better against stronger teams than less competative ..
She is a 16 u player ...

Any comments please .....
JWP

 

[CobraAssist]

ABSOLUTELY. It's called pressing. You want girls to have a relaxed, yet agressive approach at the plate. Trying to hard also comes from outside expectations. If she feels that SHE HAS TO GET A HIT, she's already inside her own head and he chances of making contact have gone WAY DOWN!!!!!

Josh

 

[casedawg51]

Most times when pressure goes up, mechanics go down. Girls feeling that they HAVE to get a hit will resort to flicking or slapping at the ball just through hand/eye coordination effort. Ratchet up on pre-pitch drills like getting set in the box, load, trigger etc. These can have a calming effect and help lessen tension and pressure caused breakdowns.

 

[justwannaplay]

Thanks for the comments guys. I am going to work on tension and pressure. the question i would have is what would be the best way to either teach that or explain it ??? Should I at batting practice create a hitting situation or specific hitting count etc????

Thanks
JWP

 

[quincy]

DD is a little bit younger than yours but set a reasonable goal she can accomplish during practice. If she reaches that goal you run a lap, if she doesn’t she runs a lap. Be fair in the goal and she will put pressure on herself wanting to see you run.

 

[guero_gordo]

I bookmarked this one a while ago, liked the multi-pronged approach:
Improve Your Clutch Hitting Using a Blimp & the Batter's Box « Softball Excellence

 

[DB1]

Focus on the routine of hitting, not the results. Have her use a defined routine when taking an at bat and do that every time. As a coach, don't focus on hits, but rather quality at bats, the hits will come.