We don't teach 'wait until two strikes to hit a change up'. But we do have strategy around change ups - including when we will hit 1st pitch change ups.
So here is what we teach
- If you are not sitting on it, don't swing at a first pitch change up (and by inning 2 we are going to have some of our batters sitting on a change up if the pitcher is throwing lots of them and has proven she is willing to throw a 1st pitch change up for a strike)
- If they hang a change up you better hit it hard.
- Some umpires struggle calling a change up a strike, so if this is the case, hit hanging change ups only.
- If the pitcher has some strike outs on the change up you WILL get one.
Yes there is good technique to be learned and some players (especially those with quick hands) are better than others at hitting change ups, but we have great success with our players having a plan when they go up to hit (no matter the pitcher).
Also MOST coaches are total cowards when it comes to change ups. If you hit two or three they stop calling them. They also hesitate to call them down in the count. The brave/smart ones are much tougher to deal with.
That is really it.
So here is what we teach
- If you are not sitting on it, don't swing at a first pitch change up (and by inning 2 we are going to have some of our batters sitting on a change up if the pitcher is throwing lots of them and has proven she is willing to throw a 1st pitch change up for a strike)
- If they hang a change up you better hit it hard.
- Some umpires struggle calling a change up a strike, so if this is the case, hit hanging change ups only.
- If the pitcher has some strike outs on the change up you WILL get one.
Yes there is good technique to be learned and some players (especially those with quick hands) are better than others at hitting change ups, but we have great success with our players having a plan when they go up to hit (no matter the pitcher).
Also MOST coaches are total cowards when it comes to change ups. If you hit two or three they stop calling them. They also hesitate to call them down in the count. The brave/smart ones are much tougher to deal with.
That is really it.