Continued from this thread last year.... https://www.discussfastpitch.com/threads/jayleen-13yo.40917/#post-610250
Short story long, Jayleen wasn't truly able to work on her mechanics last year due to consistent (and significant) knee pain. We were basically managing her just so she could play. It got so bad that we were going to back out from the last couple tournaments with the new team last Fall. Luckily (for her) the last one was rained out.
After seeing a new sports clinic, a month of PT, and 3-4 months of performance training the knee pain was fixed. And hasn't come back. We were able to get her ready for school ball. She had a good season (.722 BA) but missed the last two weeks due to a concussion from an errant throw from OF as a base runner. Fortunately, the concussion didn't last long and she was able to get through it.
Transition to travel ball, now facing both better pitching AND fielding. Her BA dropped to .430 almost over night. Hitting a lot of grounders or fly balls. Less hard line drives. Very susceptible to off-speed pitches. She was no longer benefitting from weaker fielding (in school ball) and seeing better pitchers. Finally, she was ready to listen and make adjustments.
We have spent the last couple months changing her load and stride movements. Which she says has allowed her to feel more in control. She was still jerky and quick in her stride. Luckily her hitting coach pointed that out and made it a point of emphasis. This last tournament it seemed she was being more aware of it and trying to control it better.
I'd be interested to see what DFP sees at this point. And what, in the upper half, she could be doing better as well. After this tournament her BA moved back up to .500. But, I suspect she'll fluctuate as she continues to work and faces stronger pitching/defenses through the rest of Summer.
I'll apologize in advance for some of the angles.
*Including this one just because it made me laugh. And (to me) shows how crazy bats have become.
Short story long, Jayleen wasn't truly able to work on her mechanics last year due to consistent (and significant) knee pain. We were basically managing her just so she could play. It got so bad that we were going to back out from the last couple tournaments with the new team last Fall. Luckily (for her) the last one was rained out.
After seeing a new sports clinic, a month of PT, and 3-4 months of performance training the knee pain was fixed. And hasn't come back. We were able to get her ready for school ball. She had a good season (.722 BA) but missed the last two weeks due to a concussion from an errant throw from OF as a base runner. Fortunately, the concussion didn't last long and she was able to get through it.
Transition to travel ball, now facing both better pitching AND fielding. Her BA dropped to .430 almost over night. Hitting a lot of grounders or fly balls. Less hard line drives. Very susceptible to off-speed pitches. She was no longer benefitting from weaker fielding (in school ball) and seeing better pitchers. Finally, she was ready to listen and make adjustments.
We have spent the last couple months changing her load and stride movements. Which she says has allowed her to feel more in control. She was still jerky and quick in her stride. Luckily her hitting coach pointed that out and made it a point of emphasis. This last tournament it seemed she was being more aware of it and trying to control it better.
I'd be interested to see what DFP sees at this point. And what, in the upper half, she could be doing better as well. After this tournament her BA moved back up to .500. But, I suspect she'll fluctuate as she continues to work and faces stronger pitching/defenses through the rest of Summer.
I'll apologize in advance for some of the angles.
*Including this one just because it made me laugh. And (to me) shows how crazy bats have become.
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