What age for a hitting coach?

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May 17, 2019
3
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7yr old playing her second year of Coach Pitch in a very laid back Rec league. When we do BP on the weekends or other nights she is much more aggressive and focused than game nights. I think she gets a lot of good meaning but perhaps ill informed/confusing help from the Dad's coaching.

At what age did you guys get specialized coaching for your girls? I played a lot of ball but all self taught and want to help her get a solid base for the future. Just keep throwing BP and let her develop a few more years? Get a hitting coach? Suggestions pls!!
 
Sep 29, 2014
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Yeah personally not a big fan of the 7yr old hitting coach but it does depend on your abilities somewhat. Also will she listen to you?

Honestly you should be able to instill the basics to her.

Your biggest task is to work on sequence get her to understand that it's not sway backwards and then sway forward...next do not move your bat up and down to swing flat with the pitch.

Honestly if you can stop those two bad habits from forming before she is 8/9 you will have achieved something.

Just reading up through these forums get an understanding of proper load/coil, proper position at toe touch/heel plant, then proper swing path put that all together by 9/10 and then see how she is looking before throwing money out the door for a hitting coach.

Although getting a decent hitting coach is a lot easier than a good fastpitch PC but there are still a lot of guys out there that are pretty clueless.
 
Oct 4, 2018
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We started at 9 when she joined a Travel team. It worked well.

She only made it about 40 minutes before losing attention and getting silly. So we quickly went down to 30 minute lessons.
 
Feb 3, 2016
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DD has had a batting coach since 7 1/2. The batting coach first said no. He never had a kid under 9 that was focused enough to take instruction. Told him she's almost 8 :) and different than most kids her age. After a couple of long phone calls and finally 45 minute session he took her on and we couldn't be happier.

Like most parents my kid won't listen to me for whatever reason so I work behind the scenes not only with the Coach but the psychological and repetitive drills needed to keep the approach and swing tight!

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
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So Cal
I started educating myself about hitting (largely on this site) and giving my DD guidance at 8. She started doing 1-on-1 lessons with an instructor who wasn't me at 10. At 14, I pay someone to say the things I want to tell her about her swing.
 
Feb 3, 2016
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Totally agree on fixing all the bad habits and the earlier the better. Can't even count the horrible swings I see at every tournament. At some point it's the limiting factor on playing this game at a high level.

I send my DD to the USSSA All-American tryouts every year to get a sanity check on graded technique and athletic performance. After all these years she knows the drills and just has fun by performing her craft at a high level. NO NERVES HERE!

Batting 5 out of 5 for righty swings last year and an overall 5 for batting this year but swinging lefty now and Slapping. That was a fun year. Lol.

So I guess if the Pro's like her swing she's doing something right.

PS
Get the best coach you can. All can wear the cap but only a few know batting.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
 
Apr 2, 2015
1,198
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Woodstock, man
Normally, I would say yes, get an instructor. But having just watched 4 years of this age group again (grandkids), probably no instructor is going to fix 2 of the most common issues.

1) they usually start the stride too late. (mostly dribblers oppo) they all wait until they think the ball is a strike, then they move. Then it's too late. At this age, they must begin the stride on ball release. In the cage, randomly hold the ball and make sure she moves.

2) 99% have bat drag. Much of that can be fixed by having a flat rear forearm at toe touch. Most kids drop their elbow too soon, and have a vertical forearm and their bat head is still straight up.

I would say try these things and see where you are. If you can't fix this in a week or two, try an instructor.
 
Last edited:
May 17, 2019
3
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Outstanding advice folks, thank you! I REALLY need to become a student of the skill I want her to work on, so I can see a lot more time on this site coming!
I was able to contact a local hitting couch recommended by the local 12U teams coach. He stated 10-12 is the best age for him to start working with the girls. I sent him a hitting clip from last nights game and he is going to meet with us to share some drills and ideas to work on until we are ready for him in a few years.
Again, thank you to all for letting me pick your brains and learn from what you have already accomplished...
 
Jul 14, 2018
982
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DD started taking hitting lessons at nine. She was hitting weak grounders to first every time. I tried to help, but as others have pointed out, sometimes they just resist parental advice. Having a third party who makes it fun and gives a lot of encouragement is key.
 

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