Hitting and Hitters Discussion Hitting????

default · Jan 28, 2010

What are the expectations of top coaches for the amount of work to be done by a hitter? Cage, tee and anything else. I see posts that say 3, 4 ,5 times a week. Can I get more detail?
What are the top hitters doing? How do they increase their workouts as they get older?
What should a 14 be doing now? a 16?
My 14 yr old "dollar drainer" gets great coaching once a week and we try to get cage and tee time on our own 1-2 times a week. I'm thinking of putting together a tee station in the basement to save some money.
There are other players besides pitchers

.Bombs, rockets and RBI's are much better conversation;&

default · Jan 28, 2010

Flatline. Sounds like she is already ahead of most. The basement T idea is a great idea that is what we have. I have a 15 year old. Here is what she is doing this week, because she wants to be the best she can be.
Mon- Practice open gym, which includes hitting
Wed- same
Sat: Practice, hits in a cage and plays an indoor game.
Sun: College camp am. 2 hours speed and agility training Sunday nights.
She also goes to the basement and hits off the T, depending on home work requirements. School comes first. What you will find, those that want to go to the next level work at it .

default · Jan 28, 2010

QUALITY is more important than QUANTITY. Cage hitting can do far more harm than good if the hand path and swing mechanics are flawed. Be certain she's NOT repeating bad habits in her swing, which will only ingrain those bad habits further.

A quality instructor will develop a plan for her - a weekly routine. Then the instructor will evaluate her at each "lesson". Good instructors can tell immediately if she "did her homework".

I'm a big believer in quality over quantity. It's absolutely necessary to practice CORRECTLY using good technique and form - or else she's spinning her wheels.

default · Jan 28, 2010

Good point Sammy. I see kids in the cage all the time and just cringe at what I'm looking at. Last weekend, I was watching two coaches working with a girl in the cage and they were doing more harm than good.

default · Jan 28, 2010

Along these same lines, I am looking at a Jugs soft toss maching along with the instant screen. Reason being, I will be able to watch her more closely to see any flaws. Has anyone bought or looked at the jugs set up. Just wondering about quality and if it is worth the $340+.
Thanks

default · Jan 28, 2010

patjohn86 said:
Along these same lines, I am looking at a Jugs soft toss maching along with the instant screen. Reason being, I will be able to watch her more closely to see any flaws. Has anyone bought or looked at the jugs set up. Just wondering about quality and if it is worth the $340+.
Thanks

I have one, very seldomly used. I like it, use it more for catcher drills than hitting though. Tee work is more important. Use tee with pop up net, MHO

default · Jan 28, 2010

I do need to sit down with the coach and put together a "homework" plan.

If she is already seeing the ball well and putting it in play at a very high percentage(very few K's) can the power numbers be improved or am I not giving the pitchers enough credit.(here comes pitchers dads)

How much credence do you give bad pitching effecting good hitters?

default · Jan 28, 2010

Pitching machines, especially in inexperienced hands, do nothing to improve a hitter's timing. An experienced coach can simulate an arm circle - but this MUST be done correctly, or you defeat the purpose. There's a lot more to learning hitting than watching balls fly from a Juggs machine, or from a cage machine. Timing and a sense of rhythm are very important, and there's no substitute for live pitching. Teaching timing is greatly overlooked by a lot of coaches. They just assume a kid will pick it up as they progress - which is not the case. Timing technique MUST be taught - "dancing with the pitcher", etc.

Bad pitching WILL NOT affect a disciplined hitter, or they aren't very disciplined! On the contrary, bad pitching is a great tool for batters learning to be patient and pick a good pitch - THEIR pitch. Actually, the more the pitches move around the zone, the more chances a batter has for practicing how to hit "bad" pitches effectively. Because if and when a kid gets to college, rarely will they see a pitch "right down the pipe".

Learn to hit pitches "in your zone" - and these pitches may not even be strikes by the umpire's judgement.

default · Jan 28, 2010

dd goes to hitting & fielding coach monday, wensday and friday conditioning for hs tuesday an thursday an travel practice saturday she takes sunday off unless there is tourny or clinic.

default · Jan 29, 2010

Sammy said:
Pitching machines, especially in inexperienced hands, do nothing to improve a hitter's timing. An experienced coach can simulate an arm circle - but this MUST be done correctly, or you defeat the purpose. There's a lot more to learning hitting than watching balls fly from a Juggs machine, or from a cage machine. Timing and a sense of rhythm are very important, and there's no substitute for live pitching. Teaching timing is greatly overlooked by a lot of coaches. They just assume a kid will pick it up as they progress - which is not the case. Timing technique MUST be taught - "dancing with the pitcher", etc.

Bad pitching WILL NOT affect a disciplined hitter, or they aren't very disciplined! On the contrary, bad pitching is a great tool for batters learning to be patient and pick a good pitch - THEIR pitch. Actually, the more the pitches move around the zone, the more chances a batter has for practicing how to hit "bad" pitches effectively. Because if and when a kid gets to college, rarely will they see a pitch "right down the pipe".

Learn to hit pitches "in your zone" - and these pitches may not even be strikes by the umpire's judgement.

Sammy
How do you work on timimg?

When it is warm we do the barry bonds drill

What about in the winter? We have no access to a pitcher and most dads or coach's dont want there dd's throwing batting practice.

We do some soft toss and work on being smooth, but other than that?

Any other ideas

Straightleg

default · Jan 29, 2010

Gerry same issue. We never bat against live pitching in practice. We do play 9 months a year.

default · Jan 29, 2010

Where are the hitting gurus? I'm not looking for trade secrets just thoughts and opinions.
I realize that it falls on the shoulders of the player(and parents), if you are a hitting coach and you see a player that you feel could really advance skill wise, what are your expectations for the amount and types of work that she should be doing on her own?

default · Jan 29, 2010

Well, there's a certain guy in the Cinci area that amazes me, and I think is a master of teaching timing - in his garage no less!

I never said it couldn't be done, or done effectively, I just said there's no sub for practicing against live pitching. The Barry Bonds drill, Face the Fire, the tennis raquet, etc. I'm a member of the Lemming club, so that's what I believe...

I used to be dead set against pitchers throwing batting practice, mainly because the coaches requesting it wanted the pitcher to "throw pitches the batter could hit". Now THAT'S counterproductive, and borderline insanity! But given a "game" situation where the pitcher is trying to get the batter "out", and the batter is trying to "beat" the pitcher is a very effective workout - for both pitcher AND batter. College teams do that in winter workouts quite often. I just wish more of them would use "the big guy's" methods along with that.

Let me add that I am amazed every summer at the number of hitters that have poor set-up and preparation. They really don't know where their hitting zone is, they lack confidence, and they don't prepare to hit every pitch - meaning a "load and stride" sequence on EVERY PITCH. Most kids are never taught the reason for this, OR how to do it effectively.

Hitting and Hitters Discussion Hitting????

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