Difference in swings.....

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Nov 2, 2015
192
16
So, I'm coaching 8U. Our league does machine pitch. I understand why people prefer kid/coach pitch, but there's nothing I can do about that in relation to how our league is run.

So, I've been working a lot on tees with my girls, and really driving home the proper sequence (or trying to, at least.) most of the girls are getting it, and are looking great on the tees.

I switch to live ptiching with the machine, and how they look on the machine is completely different from the tee swings. Some girls are looking ok, but 70% are ditching their stride, starting with their shoulders, and swinging at about 70% compared to how they swing on the tee. I have a feeling that the majority of this is timing, and not correctly anticipating the ball.

Now, do I continue doing machine work, and just really work on timing, knowing that more than half the time I won't be getting an efficient swing?

Or, do I double-up on the tee-work and front toss. And hold-off on the machine until proper form is drilled into them.

Option #1 will give them more cuts off of what they'll see in a game, but won't be optimal for the correct sequence.

Option #2 is more optimal for sequence, but won't give them as many live reps before games begin.

Any thoughts on how you would approach?
 
Mar 22, 2016
505
63
Southern California
Not an expert whatsoever, but it's been a while and no one has responded, so I'll throw in a guess. I'd rather keep the optimal sequence. It's 8U, so player development should be the goal.

Are you not able to work on sequencing with a machine?
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
Younger ones seem to have trouble with timing a machine pitch. My daughter plays machine pitch 9U and I see the same thing from most of them, they start their swings after the ball leaves the machine. It doesn't help that the time from feed to the machine releasing the ball depends on the feeder, ball used, etc. My daughter does it as well but is fine when I pitch to her...e.g. if I stop before I pitch to her I can see she initiates before I release the ball. If I really worked with her on the machine I probably could get her to properly time the machine but I figured she is going to only play machine pitch for 1 more year so I decided to concentrate on her mechanics off the tee/with me pitching.
 
Aug 23, 2016
359
43
How many parents/assistants do you have that can help you out? Because if you have some help, you can split the girls into groups -- one group doing tee work, one doing front toss, one on the machine. Even if you have parents who don't know what they're doing, one can feed the machine and one can put a ball on a tee and you can supervise both of them.

My DD's also 8U and in her league they use machines for BP. A lot of those girls are intimidated by the machine and they're going to forget everything they know when that thing starts spitting balls out. They just have to get used to it. Like everything else with 8-year-olds, it's a process. :) They'll get there.
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
Player development should be the long term priority IMO. That said, you can keep that objective paramount AND also become more effective off machine if you instill the Yes, Yes...Go/Stop approach AND practice checking/stopping their swing during tee work and front toss! Do this and even if their timing is off v machine, at least the sequence is right and they still have a chance to hit the ball solidly.
 
Nov 2, 2015
192
16
It definitely is a process! We try to do station work as much as possible, utilizing tees, front toss and machine/live coach-pitch. I think I'll continue my approach of mostly Tee work and front toss for now, and hit the machine harder when we get closer to opening day. I'm thinking one thing that could help is standing behind them while they're hitting off the machine and giving them verbal cues to help timing/sequence. Basically just stand back there and say "load, stride, explode..."
 
Aug 23, 2016
359
43
One of DD's coaches used to help some of the girls get used to the machine by just having them stand there, in their stance, and track the balls without swinging. When they got used to watching the ball, then he'd start giving them verbal cues about when to load. Then he had them hit. It was time-consuming but it got the more fearful ones to hit a little better.
 
Last edited:
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
So, I'm coaching 8U. Our league does machine pitch. I understand why people prefer kid/coach pitch, but there's nothing I can do about that in relation to how our league is run.

So, I've been working a lot on tees with my girls, and really driving home the proper sequence (or trying to, at least.) most of the girls are getting it, and are looking great on the tees.

I switch to live ptiching with the machine, and how they look on the machine is completely different from the tee swings. Some girls are looking ok, but 70% are ditching their stride, starting with their shoulders, and swinging at about 70% compared to how they swing on the tee. I have a feeling that the majority of this is timing, and not correctly anticipating the ball.

Now, do I continue doing machine work, and just really work on timing, knowing that more than half the time I won't be getting an efficient swing?

Or, do I double-up on the tee-work and front toss. And hold-off on the machine until proper form is drilled into them.

Option #1 will give them more cuts off of what they'll see in a game, but won't be optimal for the correct sequence.

Option #2 is more optimal for sequence, but won't give them as many live reps before games begin.

Any thoughts on how you would approach?

The bold above is very common. IMO, while tees have their place, it is difficult to instruct "sequence" by using them. Timing and sequence need to work together, and if the ball isn't moving.... Anyway, in a group environment, I understand that the tee is necessary in order to get reps. But I would focus as much as possible on front toss. The more quality reps they can get against a moving ball, the better. Good luck!
 
Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
Just remember....at this age all the way up through 12U IME, they're usually timing off of the pitcher's arm movement. Thus, if you have slow arm movement going to the ball of the machine and then all of a sudden it's WHOOSH! with a 45 MPH fastball, they will struggle and continue to do so with the timing. IMO, Continue to work on tee work but also add several timing drills that aren't dependent upon the pitcher's arm movement such as Tewks Halfway-to-Home drill and others. Yes. he advocates a full pitching movement if front toss but the drill is dependent upon the ball speed and when it reaches the halfway point. I've used this successfully on many occasions whether it's been full arm motion or just underhand chucking.
 
Last edited:
May 16, 2016
1,024
113
Illinois
One of DD's coaches used to help some of the girls get used to the machine by just having them stand there, in their stance, and track the balls without swinging. When they got used to watching the ball, then he'd start giving them verbal cues about when to load. Then he had them hit. It was time-consuming but it got the more fearful ones to hit a little better.

I like this idea. I would not give up on the machine yet.

I would also like to add that I would recommend trying to get quality reps when using the machine to pitch instead of just continuing to let the girls take poor swing against the machine. I understand this will be time consuming but after the girl take two poor swings off the machine stop and try to correct the mechanics, then pitch a few more from the machine. Keep repeating the process of fixing the poor swings but don't let the girls take 10 poor swings in row just to keep the practice moving along efficiently. If you feel like your not getting anywhere with some of the girls I would have them take pitches off the machine and they can work on load and stride without actually taking a swing to get more comfortable with the machine and build some trust. After building trust off the machine maybe even have them try bunting the ball to work on hand eye coordination.
 

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