- Feb 3, 2011
- 1,880
- 48
I appreciate the opportunity the local HS gives each spring to our local rec league. It's a fundraiser for their program to have our girls come out and they even give our coaches a no-cost clinic which is a tremendous gift, especially for the less experienced coaches who need all the instruction we can get. It's good for the girls to get out onto the fields together before practices begin.
Although I was very confident in the fielding instruction the girls received, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up when the HS team's assistant coach told the girls they want to 'roll their hands over' at the point of contact. She said they need to 'squish the bug' and told them not to use the 'palm up/palm down'.
I know all coaches have different philosophies, but I'm opposed to 'squish the bug' because young players will think about that and just pivot their foot for the sake of pivoting, not as a part of finishing the swing. As far as 'palm up/palm down', I've learned that from my daughter's hitting instructor and she's worked hard to get Mojo to stop rolling over, which is what most young players will do automatically, especially if league coaches have drummed the natural athleticism out of their swings while Dad sat quietly on the sidelines to avoid being 'that parent'.
I want there to be a long-lasting working partnership between the rec league and the local high school, but I think the both programs would benefit by updating some of the teaching philosophies.
Although I was very confident in the fielding instruction the girls received, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up when the HS team's assistant coach told the girls they want to 'roll their hands over' at the point of contact. She said they need to 'squish the bug' and told them not to use the 'palm up/palm down'.
I know all coaches have different philosophies, but I'm opposed to 'squish the bug' because young players will think about that and just pivot their foot for the sake of pivoting, not as a part of finishing the swing. As far as 'palm up/palm down', I've learned that from my daughter's hitting instructor and she's worked hard to get Mojo to stop rolling over, which is what most young players will do automatically, especially if league coaches have drummed the natural athleticism out of their swings while Dad sat quietly on the sidelines to avoid being 'that parent'.
I want there to be a long-lasting working partnership between the rec league and the local high school, but I think the both programs would benefit by updating some of the teaching philosophies.