Scared after getting hit with the ball

[TeddyBen]

My daughter (8yrs old) got hit while practicing with my husband. They were playing catch, she missed and got hit on the stomach. She had the wind knocked out of her. From then on she has been scared of the ball.
She is a fairly new player. She played fall ball and will start spring soon. She was improving very well with our practices during the break. Now its like shes back to where we started but much worse because she is really scared of the ball.
I dont know what to do. It feels as if were getting nowhere. Here is what im doing.

We start with a plastic softball size ball then move into a regular softball. She catches but is still moving away. We start off fairly close and I throw it softly. I was thinking of trying with a tennis ball but she is still moving with the plastic.
I tell her she can do it. When she doesnt move too much I tell her that she did well and shes getting the hang of it.
I ask her not to say she cant do it. To tell herself she can and to try her best. Just concentrate on the ball.
Ive talked to her before and after explaining how important it is to keep trying and not let something your scared of stop you from doing things you like.
I also tell her its ok if you dont actually catch the ball. Just as long as you arent running from it.

I stay as calm and I can and not show my frustration. What can I do? Please help!!

 

[guero_gordo]

I think you're doing it right, it just takes time. Just getting her out there with you might be all you get for a while.
Keep it light, keep it fun....even if it kills you ;-)
If you can get her to laugh at herself for being afraid, it helps, but it may be deadly serious to her for some time.

 

[JAD]

Start with the plastic balls, then move to tennis balls, then soft compression softballs, then regular softballs.

Soft Compression Training Softballs | Wilson Fastpitch

 

[PA SB Dad]

A couple of things to try starting with the plastic balls, and moving on to the other balls:
1. Sit about 5 feet apart and just toss the ball underhand back and forth. I would not use a glove, let her think its a game unrelated to softball. Eventually move back further and further apart.
2. Have her stand with her back to a wall (again, start without a glove). She will not be able to back away from a throw, but she can still move to the side. I would toss the ball off to the side to start, rather than directly at her. Make it a game where she has to catch it no matter which side you throw it to. Eventually back up and throw more balls directly to her, or have her move her body to get behind each ball you throw to her. Again, make it a game with a goal and a reward (like an ice cream for catching 10 in a row of something).
3. Instead of a glove, I have also had kids use oven mitts on their hands so that they learn to catch with two hands. It looks silly, but an oven mitt is easier to manipulate than a glove for young kids.

 

[shelbysdad]

I survived this setback by accident by beginning to teach pitching. I know it seems strange but they all want to pitch at that age. The repetition of practicing pitching and catching the throwback made my dd a better fielder without thinking about what she was actually doing. worth a try.

 

[Dave619]

A couple of things to try starting with the plastic balls, and moving on to the other balls:
1. Sit about 5 feet apart and just toss the ball underhand back and forth. I would not use a glove, let her think its a game unrelated to softball. Eventually move back further and further apart.
2. Have her stand with her back to a wall (again, start without a glove). She will not be able to back away from a throw, but she can still move to the side. I would toss the ball off to the side to start, rather than directly at her. Make it a game where she has to catch it no matter which side you throw it to. Eventually back up and throw more balls directly to her, or have her move her body to get behind each ball you throw to her. Again, make it a game with a goal and a reward (like an ice cream for catching 10 in a row of something).
3. Instead of a glove, I have also had kids use oven mitts on their hands so that they learn to catch with two hands. It looks silly, but an oven mitt is easier to manipulate than a glove for young kids.

You are getting very good suggestions on how to overcome her fear of the ball. Just think about progressions like PA SB Dad has above. With balls, like a tennis ball, you can bounce it to her. Then bounce it to the left, right , over her head, up high, etc. and see if she can get to it before it hits the ground. Doing this will help her track the ball without fear and learn to move to the ball when necessary. Then move to the other balls that JAD suggests above.

Also, if it makes her feel more comfortable, put a fielders mask on if you are not already doing that. You can put a chest protector on her as well. I have worked with kids that are scared of the ball and I had to make it somewhat of a game and fun. I put on a mask and hit myself with ball. I have put on a chest protector and had the kid punch me in the gut with it on and we laughed about it. Doing it this way is not for every kid, but it works for some.

I see this is your first post and welcome to the site. This is a great place for information and a lot of good people will to share. I can tell you that my DD would have given up on pitching a few years ago if I had not found this site. Good luck with your DD.

 

[riseball]

Off beat yet effective training to consider:

 

[guero_gordo]

Off beat yet effective training to consider:]

Patches O'Houlihan, master motivator. ;-)

 

[CLM265]

Another Happy Gilmore drill

 

[1bucketmom]

DD took one off her head practicing that made her tentative when catching the ball. About your DDs age...
We....
1. Explained the importance of paying attention and using two hands - after hugs and kisses of course
2. Never spoke of it again - even when she flinched. As she felt more confident with her ability it stopped.
3. We played the "alphabet" game during catch - it's fun so she didn't think it was practice or think about actually throwing. It helps bring out the natural throw because they aren't thinking about it.

With every throw you have to come up a word that starts with the letter of the alphabet. You'll both end up laughing, her throws will get quicker and she'll forget about getting hit.