obbay
Banned
14 yo DD has two problems in the field : what I would call "slow reflexes" and a fear of the ball. I believe that the latter problem causes the former. I just realized yesterday that this is what's holding her back when it comes to fielding. (I thought she was just slow or "lazy" as my wife likes to say).
She gets a late jump on the ball and while she does catch the ball (when she gets to it in time) she catches it reaching out away from her body (so she doesn't get to them all). It appears to me that she deliberately avoids setting herself squarely in front of a sharply hit ball.
I got the Howard Kobata DVDs and have started working with her on some of the basics. I also am thinking (if I can ever find a field that's open) have her set up at 3B or SS and hit balls to her so she has to react quickly to get them. Actually, I should probably start by hitting them directly at her to build her confidence/comfort level.
My question is, are there drills specific to developing/improving reaction time? I'm not looking for just softball drills, I'm looking for anything that will help her improve- Maybe even beginning with tennis balls in the driveway without a glove?
You know the more I write this, the more the answer appears to me.
Practice!
She gets a late jump on the ball and while she does catch the ball (when she gets to it in time) she catches it reaching out away from her body (so she doesn't get to them all). It appears to me that she deliberately avoids setting herself squarely in front of a sharply hit ball.
I got the Howard Kobata DVDs and have started working with her on some of the basics. I also am thinking (if I can ever find a field that's open) have her set up at 3B or SS and hit balls to her so she has to react quickly to get them. Actually, I should probably start by hitting them directly at her to build her confidence/comfort level.
My question is, are there drills specific to developing/improving reaction time? I'm not looking for just softball drills, I'm looking for anything that will help her improve- Maybe even beginning with tennis balls in the driveway without a glove?
You know the more I write this, the more the answer appears to me.
Practice!