Long range TEAM hitting strategy

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moe

Aug 14, 2013
310
16
We are in process of a ground up 16u team build. Seeing results on defense. Extensive investment in pitching instruction for pitchers and catchers. Kobata clinic, sound defensive drills that we are seeing executed in games.

BUT - failing on the hitting plan.

We hit once a week. SOlid practices. Good coaching...but just aren't seeing results.

We have an opportunity while school ball is in progress to really amp up the hitting. We only practice every other week due to kids already practicing/playing 6 days a week.

Coaches are ready to invest significant time between April to may to work with the girls.

What would you do to get solid improvement?

How many hitting sessions a week? Breakdown? Machine? Front toss/tee? small group instruction?

Thanks for any help/thoughts.

moe
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
We are in process of a ground up 16u team build. Seeing results on defense. Extensive investment in pitching instruction for pitchers and catchers. Kobata clinic, sound defensive drills that we are seeing executed in games.

BUT - failing on the hitting plan.

We hit once a week. SOlid practices. Good coaching...but just aren't seeing results.

We have an opportunity while school ball is in progress to really amp up the hitting. We only practice every other week due to kids already practicing/playing 6 days a week.

Coaches are ready to invest significant time between April to may to work with the girls.

What would you do to get solid improvement?

How many hitting sessions a week? Breakdown? Machine? Front toss/tee? small group instruction?

Thanks for any help/thoughts.

moe

The answer depends on whether you believe the lack of practice success carrying over to games principally is a mental or mechanical issue!
 
Sep 17, 2009
1,637
83
Team hitting is tough -- every kid is so different with strengths and issues. I evaluate hitters by seeing how well they handle underhand front toss from about 20 feet away. Can they consistently hit hard line drives wherever the ball is pitched -- in out high low simulated changeup -- to ALL fields? Most can't -- they'll end up pulling everything or hitting too many popups or grounders....even good game hitters. They lack contact point, bat path and overall barrel awareness. Working on that TO PERFECTION -- where every miss is a big deal and requires an immediate adjustment on the next pitch -- in an ongoing drill/high-rep practice scenario can fix a lot of in-game problems because hitters start to train their body/swing to square up more balls, which is key to improving hitting against good pitching with speed change, hitting spots and movement. While hitters are working on that you can work with them to tweak their individual issues that are holding them back from reaching their goal of a perfect drill.

That said, I agree with Greenmonsters that sometimes it's mental. Usually too timid, taking too many pitches, getting in bad counts. I always say one player in every pitcher-hitter battle will have the upper hand and intimidate the other. If you're the batter, it should be you -- you're the one holding a piece of lumber in your hands :)
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
The funny thing about hitting is that everyone wants to focus so much time and energy on the mechanics. What is your Return on Investment time wise when working on TEAM hitting mechanics. Pretty low in my opinion.

My advice after 20 years:

  • If possible pick players for your team that have a solid hitting foundation (no huge flaws that you will have to correct);
  • Leave the finer aspects of mechanics to the hitting coaches and or parents that have more time than you do for the individual hitters;
  • Focus on the mental and physical aspects of hitting in a team setting (no mechanics!).


As a side note I love coaches that give hitting advise during the at bat (of a game). You had all off season to sort that out and you couldn't do it so you are now asking the hitter to make adjustments mid at bat? Good luck.
 
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rdbass

It wasn't me.
Jun 5, 2010
9,131
83
Not here.
If possible pick players for your team that have a solid hitting foundation (no huge flaws that you will have to correct);
Leave the finer aspects of mechanics to the hitting coaches and or parents that have more time than you do for the individual hitters;
Focus on the mental and physical aspects of hitting in a team setting (no mechanics!).
I couldn't agree more.
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
In my experience the best hitters are the ones that work out one their own, have personal hitting instructors, probably have a hitting station at home, and love to get better.
 

Chris Delorit

Member
Apr 24, 2016
343
28
Green Bay, WI
Hi moe,

If this is a select team, you're at least 6-8 years behind everyone else. If it's a community-based travel team, you've got alot of catch-up to do at that level.

Building defense foundations & interest in pitching & catching are priorities that begin much earlier, at the 8-ish levels. If you're working with a team of newbies at 16U, then you're doing the right thing, or what usually occurs much earlier on for those kids.

The good news is...your kids are at an age of accelerated learning.

You've asked what you can do to get solid improvement. You've already received many great ideas.

If you're dedicating opportunities beginning in April, you're already months behind anyone else who would mean anything competitively. Unless these kids don't play HS ball, you won't have them enough during the HS season to make a big difference. It's very unlikely your kids are working every day on their own at home. In your predicament, hitting once a week won't cut it at that age level.

So, next year you start in fall with a game plan & an expectation list for coaches, players & parents. With a couple practices a week & specialty opportunities, you'll begin to realize the results that you're expecting right now for your kids.

In the meantime, offer as many opportunities as you can for kids in the next couple months & begin to build interest and opportunity for the next group of kids who will eventually be in your program, and who can commit to multiple practices per week.

Long term hitting goals really have to begin at a much younger age. Then by 16U, you're long term goals are in fruitition.

Short term, you can focus on fundamentals, class-room & video. Your girls will need reps & lots of them. They want to hit at that age, so you'll have balance what little time you will have with them. Tons of T work, stations, soft toss, cage work, live, machine... Be able to play small at a minumum, if your girls are inexperienced, inconsistant & learning. Keep it fun, keep it busy & keep the rotation moving.

You're in for alot of work, but the payoff should eventually be immense for your kids & your coaches. Enjoy!

Chris
 
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