Separating properly or enough

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Oct 2, 2017
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I've just started working with my daughter on separating during the stride. How much pull back or coil should a batter have or is it personal preference? Is she even doing it properly? This is her doing a sort of Modified hover drill off of front toss.


 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
I've just started working with my daughter on separating during the stride. How much pull back or coil should a batter have or is it personal preference? Is she even doing it properly? This is her doing a sort of Modified hover drill off of front toss.




Once she gets enough, you won't be able to hit real softballs in your backyard anymore...;)
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
That's why for now I've been using weighted balls. don't know if that's necessarily a good thing? Not real heavy ones though.

Ah..I thought those were real. I wouldn't use heavy balls if I were you. Either get wiffles (which I use in our garage) or Anywhere balls..I think Eric F has stock in that
company so you can ask him about those :cool:
 
Oct 2, 2017
2,283
113
Ah..I thought those were real. I wouldn't use heavy balls if I were you. Either get wiffles (which I use in our garage) or Anywhere balls..I think Eric F has stock in that
company so you can ask him about those :cool:

That's what I was leaning towards. Its what we had on hand. Are there any reason to use weighted balls? You see people all the time at the ball field between games for example having kids hit with them.
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
That's what I was leaning towards. Its what we had on hand. Are there any reason to use weighted balls? You see people all the time at the ball field between games for example having kids hit with them.

For a 16 YO who weighs 150 lbs it probably isn't a big deal but for a smaller kid from what I have seen, in addition to what RH said, I also see kids modifying their swing in anticipation of hitting a heavy object. My DD's coach uses them to warm up for games and I cannot stand it..DD doesn't like hitting them either.

With regards to your DD's swing, I would take it slow. She has made good progress since you first posted. Does she need to use her core better e.g. create better resistance through coiling her rear hip/lower back/scap as she moves forward? Sure, but she is 8 and in order to teach that the player has feel the stretch that is created and for kids that young, with as little muscle mass as they have, and the hyperflexibility that they have, that can be difficult. I know that FFS will probably disagree with the hands off approach, but I would just keep throwing to her as much as possible and then revisit where she is at the end of the summer.

That said, along with the Stone drill which I think you said you have done, look into the stretch and fire drill.
 
Last edited:
Apr 20, 2018
4,581
113
SoCal
How about hitting tennis balls? I have seen teams warm up with tennis balls and I wonder why You don't see it more. I like it. They are smaller (focus). Same color almost. If you dont square it up just right it won't travel (feedback). Safe for those ones not paying attention. Easier to pitch/toss than wiffle balls.
 

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