Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Private hitting or pitching lessons 10U?

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I'm still trying to figure out how and when these girls had time for all this training? My DD ran CC, played $occer,basketball ,ran track and played softball in high school (at least 1st team in all sports except basketball because she quit after sophomore year because she couldn't stand the coach). She was also involved in numerous school activities including being president of her class all 4 years. Took AP classes and could graduate from PITT in 3 years (finished 2nd in High school), I know for a fact she didn't have the time to take private lessons and train in hitting 3X a week plus speed and strength the other days. My other daughter didn't play as many sports but just as busy with school work and also being class president. Of course some people may say she is not playing much at her college but I can tell you she is more athletic then most of them and is NFCA scholar athlete with bright future as a Dentist.
Just because you don't go for private lesson doesn't mean you won't succeed... Just my 2cents for those parents who are wondering if my 6-10 year old should take private lessons so they don't get left behind.

P.S. DD did get offers to play college basketball...D3 but was on offer.;&

2 words: GIFTED ATHLETES

 

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When Crystl and I were doing clinics we always asked how many times a week the hitter worked on their own. That did not include team practices or lessons. We were at a showcase and was surprised that even though they knew college coaches were going to be there they put little effort to improve their skills on their own the week prior to attending.

Personally, I never work with any hitter more than once every three weeks. Our introduction to hitting is showing and explaining to them in measurable and observable terms and then how to test to allow them to see it, feel it and fix it. This includes balance both static and dynamic, that they are stronger with their head slightly down verses up as if looking for the ball, grip and how to use a hammer, how to track the ball and how the eyes work. Additionally, we look at their glove and adjust the thumb and baby finger lock if the glove has one. We recommend putting the baby and ring finger in the baby finger slot and sliding the index finger over to the social finger slot. By showing them which fingers on the hand are the strongest and which fingers are considered balance fingers, they can feel for themselves allows them to understand why we do it.

The first session may last 2.5 hours without even hitting a ball. However laying the ground work pays off when swinging the bat begins.

Then we teach how to throw over hand properly and explain how the ACL works differently in a male verses female and how the body types have differences. Sadly this is over looked by most coaches and instructors and then the weight shift is lost in the vast amount of opinions on how to teach it. Being able to throw with a weight shift in our opinion is very significant to introduce their ability to hit the ball with timing, rhythm and power. It allows them to feel and see how the hips are the engine to move the spine and shoulders.

I have had many kids who have been to other instructors and yet can not throw a ball over hand correctly and their shoulder and elbow hurt after a double header. Poor weight shift in throwing can be seen in hitting also.

Coaches we have worked with that have bought into the program have had success doing it in my opinion and you know who you are.

Teaching your kids how to manage their time can never be taught early enough. I have had both boys and girls who do not know how to do their own laundry, parents that carry their bags and kids who look at the parents and say remind me about this or that! Who will do this in college for them? What is happening in their life to prevent them from working on their own? Most do not even have a job and yet find a lot of time for social media communication.

I love when I hear a hitter respond, I do not know why I can not keep my head down at contact! I ask them is their head lazy or are you lazy? Does the tail wag the dog or does the dog make a focused effort to wag their own tail?

As parents you drive them to the practices, out of town games, spend money on gas, food and places to stay. Yet you have not instilled the time management skills that will be needed when you are not around.

By position my best hitters are the pitchers and the catchers as they work much harder, practice more and use a weight shift effectively at their position in my opinion.

Before they leave a session we go over what needs to improve or a drill that may help them.

When they come back and IF they choose not to work on their own they can find someone else to help them.

I had read a book that had a statement I like and I may not be quoting it exactly, "You can always tell a person by how they spend their time as it is an expression of what they love. So when a person gives you their time it is an expression of what they love to do as they can not make more time. Only the Lord knows how much time you have. You can make more money however you can not buy more time."

Howard

 

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Blue Ice, I am a big fan of your daughters ... but let's be honest, nothing they achieved was random or given to them. They are very successful as adults because they worked very hard as kids. You had high expectations for them from a young age and you saw to it that they took the right courses in high school and stayed on the right track. As a father who happens to also be a professional, they learned much of the "how to" from you. They, of course, had to buy in to the system and keep their nose to the grindstone. No one is suggesting that if 10 yr olds don't go to a private batting coach they can't be "successful" dentists, brain surgeons or concert pianists. But ... if "success" as a softball player is defined by playing high level ball, then common sense dictates softball is no different then academics. The earlier they learn a high level swing and begin practicing it regularly at home, the better their chances will be of finding "success" in the softball world. My 10u does 1 hr. of professional hitting lessons once every other week and about 45 min of practice in the basement 5 days per week. We take the time for training out of her video game and snap chat time so as to not interfere with homework (1st priority in our house). If she quits softball at age 16, then so be it. I will still love her unconditionally and support her, but at least for now she is learning discipline and how to work hard toward a goal.

 

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Point I was trying to make is...kids are busy and if they have other interest you still can succeed. All the new parents are going to read how kids train 3x a week with this and that and have team practices twice a week. In my opinion it sounds little bit overwhelming. I want those people to know your child can play other sports and have interests, you don't have to travel all over but most importantly concentrate on your grades and develop self discipline in studies!!!!!!!!!!

My my kids knew there is no sport without at least 3.0 GPA in high school...also, I've see lots of kids without great looking swing playing college ball. JMHO.

Telling my kids they have a Fan...:yahoo: