Support through a slump

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Jul 14, 2017
181
28
What have you found to be the best way to support your dd through a hitting slump?


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Mar 20, 2014
918
28
Northwest
Tee work and new batting gloves.

Tee work for the reps to build muscle memory and confidence.

New batting gloves for the 6 inches between her ears. Change up the mojo.

You laugh but it works!
 

TMD

Feb 18, 2016
433
43
Not all slumps are created equally (lots of Ks vs. putting ball in play but "right at 'em"), but I generally agree that managing the mental side is usually more important that the physical side. My daughter went through a 2-for-32 slump of biblical proportions early last high school season, only few Ks with many pop-ups and fly outs. She worked on the physical issues in practice and with hitting coach, and needed to learn to "stop thinking" during her ABs in games. She eventually broke out of it and hit .529 the rest of the season.

Just let her know that all slumps end and to keep working hard in practice and turn her mind off during games. And do not analyze every AB after the game, just let it go and look to the next opportunity. Oh yeah, ice cream and new batting gloves can also work wonders.
 
Feb 15, 2016
273
18
It depends on her age I think. Sometimes dad can help most by not doing much of anything. As my DDs got older I was just supportive and reminded them that they were good hitters and it would come around. If they wanted to work on the tee in the yard I would let them come ask me instead of suggesting it. This might run contrary to what some folks believe but with most girls (including my DDs) I just told/tell them to stop thinking and just swing the bat. They start thinking about not dropping their hands, keeping their hands inside, elbows, stride foot, etc... and there is no way they can hit the ball. Sometimes trying to correct a "flaw" only makes things worse.
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
What have you found to be the best way to support your dd through a hitting slump?

What are the specifics of the slump from a numbers standpoint? How does DD feel about it?

Many slumps are just random and should be ignored. It's much more common to overreact to a slump than to under-react. Kids sometimes get the message (and parents and coaches sometimes really believe) that if a hitter doesn't make solid contact that it's always because the hitter didn't do something on that particular swing that the hitter can routinely do. There's always a quick fix.

Players, coaches and parents all have to find the balance regarding how much to analyze something. As Freud said, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

Of course, you didn't ask for a fix, but rather support. But I think having the right perspective on the slump will affect how you give support.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
What is a Slump?

DD hit ball hard, out every time.

Hate defense.

DD keeping hitting hard, out or not.
 
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