Greenmonsters
Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
A visual reference is often the most usefull tool to help the players understand the strike zone and what pitches they should be swinging at in different counts and situations.
For convenience, let's assume that a softball is 4 inches in diameter. As the plate is 17 inches wide, that equals approx 4 balls wide (forget about the 1/2" left over on each corner for now). Assuming a good sized strike zone on an average U12-U18 player, from the knees to base of sternum is approx. 24-28", which is approx. 6 or 7 balls tall. This essentially gives us a 4x6 or 4x7 grid of the strike zone. Adding a row to each side and top and bottom of the grid essentially represents the "strike zone +1 ball out", which needs to be considered with 2 strikes (and effectively picks up the 1/2" corner leftovers). Your grid is now 6 wide x 8 or 9 high. Draw this grid out, ID the strike zone as you like based on player size, print it, and give a copy to each player. (Note: you can use boxes to represent each one of the 48 or 54 grid spaces, but I find that circles representing softballs to be more relevant and memorable (you can do a down and dirty demo of the grid concept using a flat surface and actual softballs to similar effect).
Use this grid to have the girls think about or even color code the grids where: 1) they like balls to hit (their happy zone or sweet spot) and 2) don't like balls to hit and then talk about it. You may be surprised by what you do (or don't) hear. Conclude by using the graphic to discuss what area and how big an area of the grid the "Swing or Go Zone" for different counts and situations are consistent with your team's hitting approach (for example, I like a 9 grid go zone for an 0-0 count and a 4-6 grid go zone for 3-0 counts). Couple the grid visual w/ the concept of swinging at every pitch unless it's not in the "Go Zone" (for the count and situation) and your hitters will become more disciplined, aggressive, and successful.
To the graphically-gifted DFP posting pros - please feel feel to provide a grid visual!
FWIW - there was a previous thread talking about protecting the plate or expanding the zone with 2 strikes. Like anyone else, I much prefer a hitter to take matters into her own hands rather than leaving it up to the umpire on a close pitch with 2 strikes; however, just remember that expanding the plate by +1 ball in all directions almost doubles the "go zone" i.e., that 4x7 grid w/ 28 squares now just increased to 6 x 9 w/ a total of 54 squares! And, oh yeah, this all assumes a "Pitch-track" perfect umpire! Your experience may vary, adjust accordingly.
For convenience, let's assume that a softball is 4 inches in diameter. As the plate is 17 inches wide, that equals approx 4 balls wide (forget about the 1/2" left over on each corner for now). Assuming a good sized strike zone on an average U12-U18 player, from the knees to base of sternum is approx. 24-28", which is approx. 6 or 7 balls tall. This essentially gives us a 4x6 or 4x7 grid of the strike zone. Adding a row to each side and top and bottom of the grid essentially represents the "strike zone +1 ball out", which needs to be considered with 2 strikes (and effectively picks up the 1/2" corner leftovers). Your grid is now 6 wide x 8 or 9 high. Draw this grid out, ID the strike zone as you like based on player size, print it, and give a copy to each player. (Note: you can use boxes to represent each one of the 48 or 54 grid spaces, but I find that circles representing softballs to be more relevant and memorable (you can do a down and dirty demo of the grid concept using a flat surface and actual softballs to similar effect).
Use this grid to have the girls think about or even color code the grids where: 1) they like balls to hit (their happy zone or sweet spot) and 2) don't like balls to hit and then talk about it. You may be surprised by what you do (or don't) hear. Conclude by using the graphic to discuss what area and how big an area of the grid the "Swing or Go Zone" for different counts and situations are consistent with your team's hitting approach (for example, I like a 9 grid go zone for an 0-0 count and a 4-6 grid go zone for 3-0 counts). Couple the grid visual w/ the concept of swinging at every pitch unless it's not in the "Go Zone" (for the count and situation) and your hitters will become more disciplined, aggressive, and successful.
To the graphically-gifted DFP posting pros - please feel feel to provide a grid visual!
FWIW - there was a previous thread talking about protecting the plate or expanding the zone with 2 strikes. Like anyone else, I much prefer a hitter to take matters into her own hands rather than leaving it up to the umpire on a close pitch with 2 strikes; however, just remember that expanding the plate by +1 ball in all directions almost doubles the "go zone" i.e., that 4x7 grid w/ 28 squares now just increased to 6 x 9 w/ a total of 54 squares! And, oh yeah, this all assumes a "Pitch-track" perfect umpire! Your experience may vary, adjust accordingly.
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