List of necessary drills?

I recently found this site and feel like I have really learned a lot so far. The problem I'm having is that my DD (U14) now understands the swing and sequence in theory, but executing is more difficult. I can get her to make some corrections when we practice, but as soon as she gets into a game she goes right back to her old swing. I need to get her doing some drills to develop the proper muscle memory.

Is there a list of necessary drills we should be doing, and is there a thread, website, etc. with a consolidated list of drills (and their purpose) anyone can recommend?

maninthebox said:

I recently found this site and feel like I have really learned a lot so far. The problem I'm having is that my DD (U14) now understands the swing and sequence in theory, but executing is more difficult. I can get her to make some corrections when we practice, but as soon as she gets into a game she goes right back to her old swing. I need to get her doing some drills to develop the proper muscle memory.

Is there a list of necessary drills we should be doing, and is there a thread, website, etc. with a consolidated list of drills (and their purpose) anyone can recommend?

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I don't remember where the study was done, but a study found that it takes 300 to 500 correct reps to get muscle memory to lock in a particular complex body action that was never done before, but it takes 1500 to 3000 correct reps to modify what you previously locked in.

My experience has been that until you get 1500 correct reps in practice, there is a 90% chance that in the game you will revert to the old moves. Under pressure, the brain executes what it remembers having success with, and resists doing the unlearned moves.

Be patient and work hard.

Most instructors work in a progression;

One movement at a time, and work that movement off the tee until it is perfect off the tee.
Then work that same movement doing short front toss.
Then work it at batting practice speed.

If it fails after moving up a level and doesn't improve while working at that level. Move back to the previous level.

Then repeat with the next movement that needs fixing. You cannot fix multiple flaws all at once. Depending on the flaws you may be able to think of two movements at once, but not more than that.

Instructors have different philosophies on where to start and how to teach.

I believe that you must get the leg movement and positioning correctly, and the head still before anything else. The legs create power and maintain balance and control the head. Without balance and a steady head, nothing else matters much, because you will swing an miss a lot, and have little power if you aren't balanced and powering the swing with the legs.

Thanks jbooth. The two main issues I'd like to work on are bat drag and squish the bug. My main concern was the bat drag because it often causes her to be late and either miss or pop up against faster pitching. It sounds like you would actually recommend starting with the bottom half. Any suggestions for favorite drills?

http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-hitting-technical/9270-your-favorite-tee-drill-2.html Here's a tee drill thread. We love "face the fire" drill.

Anyone that wants to teach someone, needs to read the book " The Talent Code" jbooth touched on it above, but it tells you to learn in slow motion and take pieces of what you are learning and practice till the Mylan builds up around the nerve endings to make it a habit.

iMlearning said:

http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-hitting-technical/9270-your-favorite-tee-drill-2.html Here's a tee drill thread. We love "face the fire" drill.

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We'll give "face the fire" a shot. It seems it would be good to help with the hip cock and weight transfer. Plus the reverse hand may help her reduce the bat drag.

SBFAMILY said:

Anyone that wants to teach someone, needs to read the book " The Talent Code" jbooth touched on it above, but it tells you to learn in slow motion and take pieces of what you are learning and practice till the Mylan builds up around the nerve endings to make it a habit.

Click to expand...

I read the preview on Amazon and was very interested. I'll be checking the local library - thanks for the suggestion.