12U Hitting "Slump"

FP26 said:

She is definitely late. But IMO, most timing issues are mechanical. That is what allows the better hitters to hit fastballs and change ups.

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I think it would be beneficial to see her swing on a pitch which isn't outside if the OP has that.

IMO, this is not something she is going to fix this season. There are quite a few mechanical issues that need some correction. If it were my DD, I would start the process of changing her mechanics now, with the understanding that there is more "pain" to come.

Wondering what a simple change of just getting the scap clamped down would do...

TMoney said:

IMO, this is not something she is going to fix this season. There are quite a few mechanical issues that need some correction. If it were my DD, I would start the process of changing her mechanics now, with the understanding that there is more "pain" to come.

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While I agree - I also disagree. She can see some immediate results just by changing one thing at a time. Get the rear scap under control and arm swing starts to go away.

Learn to do this

Or learn how to coil rear hip correctly and train the rear leg to turn the hip/pelvis.



In both clips above - their belt loops turn at the same rate the rear leg does. It's a fused unit. The barrel gets turned behind it. The clamping of the scap controls the arms so that eliminate the need to go forward with your hands.

I'm not saying that the change is easy. I'm just saying that there needn't be a wholesale change in season. The scap can be figured out in one lesson.

Watch the BELT LOOPS:

Buttermaker said:

Or learn how to coil rear hip correctly and train the rear leg to turn the hip/pelvis.

In both clips above - their belt loops turn at the same rate the rear leg does. It's a fused unit. The barrel gets turned behind it. The clamping of the scap controls the arms so that eliminate the need to go forward with your hands.

Click to expand...

Agreed. This would be where I start, but in my experience, its not an easy change for someone 12 years old to make. Definitely needs to happen sooner than later though.

I definitely agree that the swing mechanics are an issue, and need to get sorted out. Lots of good information has already been posted.

However, for a "right now" fix, I would focus on striding to a neutral position (not open, as she is now), and quieting her head movement. With the 12U TB players I currently work with who have pre-contact head movement like this hitter, I see an improvement in consistent solid contact when I ask them to watch the ball all the way to contact and leave their head down even after the ball is gone. While it might not be humanly possible to actually see the ball make contact, I have found that quieting a hitters head movement during the swing can make a big difference.

Also, take your DD out to the local field or batting cage and give her a big diet of front toss. Rebuild her confidence that she can make good, consistent contact.

Agree that it needs to be addressed now and that it isn't going to happen that quickly. We have had 5 consecutive tournaments, all similar opposition. Each week has gotten progressively less productive as far as hitting goes (she really started out being ahead of the pitch). The fact is that middle school sucked up a lot of time and that lack of practicing mechanics did hurt. We have 4 more consecutive tournaments then a four week break (LL All Stars for some players on the team), then one last tournament. This weekend will be the weakest group of teams. Will work on stride, Scap and head .... thanks!