How to build aggressiveness at the plate

FiveFrameSwing said:

I've yet to see this drill performed without negatively impacting a hitter's mechanics.

Example ...

Let's say the first plate is at 43ft away from the machine and set to 54mph.

The next plate is at 38ft away from the machine and giving a reaction time roughly equivalent to 61mph.

The next plate is at 33ft away from the machine and giving a reaction time roughly equivalent to 70mph.

The next plate is at 28ft away from the machine and giving a reaction time roughly equivalent to 83mph.

Every time I've seen this performed, the mechanics during the "reading of the pitch" are negatively impacted. The portion of the sequence that must not be rushed in order to develop solid sequencing, end up being rushed. Timing mechanics become negatively impacted.

It can be a fun game ... kids may enjoy it ... just haven't seen anyone's mechanics improved from this 'drill'.

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Anybody can do any drill wrong or counterproductively! It isn't that difficult to figure out ways to make this particular drill productive and beneficial. I'm more than happy risking 10 bad swings as a litmus test to evaluate at what speed/distance a hitter's mechanics do breakdown and then work near that knife edge to help the hitter get comfortable at progressively faster speeds.

Travis,

Building, or re-building confidence as a hitter is a process that will involve alot of variables. Many perhaps that you'll never know about as her father. Is she independant? Is she self-conscious? Is she feeling too much pressure from you, a new team, a new level, etc...?

Are her efforts to please you, her mother, her coach, her friends...or herself?

There are probably some external forces putting too much pressure on her, including herself. Could be very possible that she's trying too hard to please your expectations of her, and can sense the frustration indicative of the tone of your original post. She tries too hard, loses focus, tightens up & becomes hesitant. Mentally, she's in a growing snowball. Her fear of failure mindset has taken over for let's get after it!

In reality, she's only a couple years into the journey. So, it's just re-focus of a diversion. Relax, have fun.

Becoming a productive hitter takes years of ups, downs, corrections, practice, more ups & downs. Confidence is self-earned as a hitter. Attitude-level hitting from a mental & physical standpoint can take many years to fully grow into.

My suggestion is to back away a bit, let the hand go. Be supportive, try not to helicopter. Get her a good hitting instructor, with a track record. It's always different than "daddy". Great mechanics can lead to developing consistancy hitting, which is what she needs. A hitting instructor who can pitch is a bonus, lots of live swings in various skill building drills. Some home-run derby at the park with just her friends. I think you get the point.

I've seen too many parents at this age trying to satisfy & compete within themselves, rather than let the athlete spread his/her own wings.

It's a wonderful time in both of your lives, enjoy it!

Chris

Ken B said:

The best confidence builder I've come across is booking several sessions with a good instructor. For the OP's kiddo, are there some confidence building tools or drills you'd recommend?

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Stop by and we'll review a hitter's mentality in the box. It's more simple than many think.

Chaz McNulty said:

Most kids at that age that refuse to swing are doing it out of fear. Her first instinct is to make sure she isn't going to be hit, and by the time she assures herself of this the ball is past her.

Someone mentioned this, but I would have her swing at the first pitch no matter where it is. Take the decision away from her.

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Bold above ... I will occasionally throw way inside to see if the first move of a hitter is to avoid being hit versus moving forward ... ... ... if their first move is to move out of the way, then I bark and explain that they are out-of-sequence.

Greenmonsters said:

Anybody can do any drill wrong or counterproductively! It isn't that difficult to figure out ways to make this particular drill productive and beneficial. I'm more than happy risking 10 bad swings as a litmus test to evaluate at what speed/distance a hitter's mechanics do breakdown and then work near that knife edge to help the hitter get comfortable at progressively faster speeds.

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Few folks run the calculator to understand the damage they are doing to a hitter .... and many simply don't understand the damage they are doing.

I find it odd that folks run this drill with a pitching machine that has a speed control. Simply change the speed of the machine. Few would change the dial from 54mph to 80mph for a 14U hitter ... yet many that perform this 'drill' exceed that differential.

Here is a link to my first ever post here, almost 2 years ago. https://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-discussions/24018-new-guy-out-ideas.html

DD was having a lot of the same issues, and I got some great advice in that thread that really worked for her.

1) We did have her eyes checked and her prescription was off a few steps. Shortly after that thread she started wearing contacts.
2) I showed her the proper way to get hit. (This actually took more work than it sounds like lol)
3) I learned to throw underhand and we did a LOT of front toss.
4) Bought her an elbow guard.
5) We did end up with a signal for swing no matter where the pitch is.
6) We worked on the mentality of every pitch being a strike...until it's not.

quincy said:

Have to do it.

[video]https://youtu.be/f9ok1VXC-tc[/video]

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I was just about to post that video. Love it.

If you haven't watched this video, watch all 5 in the series. Its worth the time.

re: pitching machine ...

I won't take sides about that particular drill w/ the machine discussed above, but I've decided through work w/ my daughter that the most productive use of a machine is to use it at speeds below that of a real game. Would be curious to get other opinions on this.

Some see a pitching machine as a way to teach hitters to deal with fast pitching. It can do that to a point, but I think the machine should be viewed primarily as something whose best feature is that it throws faster than front toss, and is therefore more game-like from a speed standpoint. Being ''as fast or faster'' than a real pitcher is not necessary and is often counter-productive because of the timing issue and the compromising of good mechanics.

In short, a pitching machine can address a couple of shortcomings of the otherwise great exercise of front toss. Front toss is unrealistically slow, and as a result, it does not punish certain types of swings. A pitching machine at close to game speeds can.