Hitting and Hitters Discussion "move up in the box"

[default]

I wish I would've read this a bit sooner after my post, my point is essentially there are quite a few theories on hitting. I'm a big fan of Howard and talked to him for quite few hours and I tend to lean towards his thoeries and actually agree you shouldn't have to move back/ forward etc. Not every pitch is the same speed. I was more stating that perhaps there is a method behind this coaches madness. If you really want to know just ask him.

It just seems to be popular to get one side of a story when it comes to coaches and then it's under the bus for him/her.

So for the record, I'm very grateful Howard posts on OFC and takes his time to talk to people like me on the phone... I just wanted to make sure that my last post was clear lol. Oh and same for SBFamily, knowledgable guy, willing to help and I agree with that crew on most everything hitting!

 

[default]

Stacey Nuveman might know a little about hitting: here is a Q/A.

MJ (So-town)



Stacey, you are a textbook hitter!! What's your strategy, up in the box to catch it before it breaks, or back in the box for another split second to pull the trigger?
Stacey Nuveman (2:10 PM)




Hitting is all about adjustments. Some situations I'll move up in the box to beat the break. In other situations, I'm toward the back to give myself more time. If I am seeing the ball well, I'm right in the middle so I can do a little of both.

I watched Stacy for two years from the opposing dugout and game film. When she got fooled by pitches she did what is termed as a double toe touch.

She would stride and if she got fooled she would lift the front foot and replant.

Crystl goes no further than the front edge of home plate unless she is baiting the pitcher.

Don Slaught had a great article on this in the NFCA news letter and in my opinion basically said, if you have seen many pitches from a certain position in the batters box and have a window that you hit in, why change it.

Seems pretty simple to me. If you can do the Barry Bonds drill you may understand it verses guessing at it in my opinion.

Howard

 

[default]

I wish I would've read this a bit sooner after my post, my point is essentially there are quite a few theories on hitting. I'm a big fan of Howard and talked to him for quite few hours and I tend to lean towards his thoeries and actually agree you shouldn't have to move back/ forward etc. Not every pitch is the same speed. I was more stating that perhaps there is a method behind this coaches madness. If you really want to know just ask him.

It just seems to be popular to get one side of a story when it comes to coaches and then it's under the bus for him/her.

So for the record, I'm very grateful Howard posts on OFC and takes his time to talk to people like me on the phone... I just wanted to make sure that my last post was clear lol. Oh and same for SBFamily, knowledgable guy, willing to help and I agree with that crew on most everything hitting!

Uber, I enjoy sharing information with many people and learn something from everyone.....not to point fingers, when I see the Static teams of Les and Kavin it makes me smile as they are getting it in my opinion. They have challenged the norms of many and have found a way to make it better.

When Les plays up as a 13 year old team against 16 year old girls that are mentally more mature and athletic and wins it shows me in my opinion, that they are doing things better than other teams in my opinion especially when they win over pitchers that are starters in high school programs that are considered to be elite.

Howard

 

[default]

Sorry I came across a little rough! The money part ruffled my feathers. Just as info, many of us don't charge a dime to help kids and volunteer our time, just to see a kid smile. I teach to who I have to work with. 8 year old up to college players, you vary the lesson based on the knowledge they have.

 

[default]

When learning any "difficult-to-master" skill, you start with the basics. We do it with pitching, as you don't start teaching a rise ball or movement pitches on day one. The Navy uses trainers for flight training. Point is, until a kid has developed proven age-appropriate hitting skills, they should stick to basics. As Howard states, moving up or back in the box messes up timing (DNA). If the hitter is Bustos or Nuveman, they know exactly what they are doing. But an inexperienced 12u kid is more than likely just going to add one more variable to an already existing problem. Instead of using a cookie-cutter approach to fix hitting problems, the coach should be analyzing each individual kid and taking notes on what their problem areas are, then develop an individual plan for improvement.

 

[default]

Sorry I came across a little rough! The money part ruffled my feathers. Just as info, many of us don't charge a dime to help kids and volunteer our time, just to see a kid smile. I teach to who I have to work with. 8 year old up to college players, you vary the lesson based on the knowledge they have.

SB-
All I was stating is for people to do their homework before laying out hard earned cash. As there are many who don't have a clue, there are many who do both charge or volunteer who are very good. Just saying do your homework. One example, When I hear a kid say, my batting coach told me to keep my bat on my shoulder, that is one I am running from fast.

I myself will never claim to be a batting coach, ever, but have taught many a kid how to bunt, but batting not my true forte. More of better at getting kids to believe in their abilities they already have but don't know it. Everything I have learned about this game came from watching other coaches and our HS coach teachings. As successful as he is, I'll take 95% of what he teaches.....

 

[default]

Uber, I enjoy sharing information with many people and learn something from everyone.....not to point fingers, when I see the Static teams of Les and Kavin it makes me smile as they are getting it in my opinion. They have challenged the norms of many and have found a way to make it better.

When Les plays up as a 13 year old team against 16 year old girls that are mentally more mature and athletic and wins it shows me in my opinion, that they are doing things better than other teams in my opinion especially when they win over pitchers that are starters in high school programs that are considered to be elite.

Howard

"our girls" get it... and just as important, the parents do. I'd bet you most of our parents are deeply versed in the Crystl/Howard ways. Do we make adjustments, sure do. Do they have purpose, sure do. 90+% we are neutral. The other 10% and sometimes more is strategy, baiting (still learning and not anywhere perfecting), and sometimes a DD is just having a bad day with timing. So we do adjust to the umpires in this way as well. Had one at Lasers that called 5-7" outside... had to make adjustments. It worked... Again, for most of the time we all do the exact same thing or attempt to. I believe moving or adjusting is on the fly and "noticed" to give an advantage. Couldn't have said that 2 years ago. Been working the system for 4 years now and we have the ability to somewhat tie it into the game better than just standing in front of the tee. The Barry Bonds drill is great and we love it. Mental toughness is usually lacking when it comes to the adjustments and we've finally seen that area mature. Long ways to go and by no means is this system for everyone. Takes a ton of discipline, tee time, time in front of the mirror with a bat, and flat out frustrating at times to become perfect. Work in progress... just lucky enough to have families that buy into the system. Like anything else, just have to put the time into getting it. We struggle with slower speeds some and more importantly struggle with the pitchers that have nasty movement (typically the older more mature pitchers). But, we are trying to learn how to adjust in that area too. Love the game and how it has so many facets of difficulty and how strategy is so important.

 

[default]

Could not agree more that the parents buy into it.

Wully has bought in to it and spent a lot of time here to understand it better and has opened a facility.

It is fun too see it work at the next level and that includes moving in the box based on experience and not guess work.

We enjoy the success you, and Kavin and your parents and kids are having with the game.

Howard

 

[default]

"our girls" get it... and just as important, the parents do. I'd bet you most of our parents are deeply versed in the Crystl/Howard ways. Do we make adjustments, sure do. Do they have purpose, sure do. 90+% we are neutral. The other 10% and sometimes more is strategy, baiting (still learning and not anywhere perfecting), and sometimes a DD is just having a bad day with timing. So we do adjust to the umpires in this way as well. Had one at Lasers that called 5-7" outside... had to make adjustments. It worked... Again, for most of the time we all do the exact same thing or attempt to. I believe moving or adjusting is on the fly and "noticed" to give an advantage. Couldn't have said that 2 years ago. Been working the system for 4 years now and we have the ability to somewhat tie it into the game better than just standing in front of the tee. The Barry Bonds drill is great and we love it. Mental toughness is usually lacking when it comes to the adjustments and we've finally seen that area mature. Long ways to go and by no means is this system for everyone. Takes a ton of discipline, tee time, time in front of the mirror with a bat, and flat out frustrating at times to become perfect. Work in progress... just lucky enough to have families that buy into the system. Like anything else, just have to put the time into getting it. We struggle with slower speeds some and more importantly struggle with the pitchers that have nasty movement (typically the older more mature pitchers). But, we are trying to learn how to adjust in that area too. Love the game and how it has so many facets of difficulty and how strategy is so important.

Interesting.
My DD hits the poop out of speed but at times can not hit slow pitchers to save her life. And she handles movement well. But she is a front of the box type so I think that helps some. Along with playing a ton of 14U ASA. She is a power hitter and just sets up towards the front.

What can be done with the accursed slow ball pitcher? It is truly madness. Typically her first move is dropping the hands...........she is really working on being more discipline against slower pitchers which is what I think the issue is. Needs to maintain swing integrity. But we have tried a lot of stuff but it rarely seems to work. She has gotten tons better but still does not hit as well against slower pitchers. Which in my mind should be tee ball city. Any ideas or drills? Or will she just magically get it one day?

 

[default]

Interesting.
My DD hits the poop out of speed but at times can not hit slow pitchers to save her life. And she handles movement well. But she is a front of the box type so I think that helps some. Along with playing a ton of 14U ASA. She is a power hitter and just sets up towards the front.

What can be done with the accursed slow ball pitcher? It is truly madness. Typically her first move is dropping the hands...........she is really working on being more discipline against slower pitchers which is what I think the issue is. Needs to maintain swing integrity. But we have tried a lot of stuff but it rarely seems to work. She has gotten tons better but still does not hit as well against slower pitchers. Which in my mind should be tee ball city. Any ideas or drills? Or will she just magically get it one day?

in our indoor sessions, using a 2nd pitching machine helps. Setup one behind the other at 2 different speeds and no warning as to what ball is coming... hands dropping is our issue too. I'd rather not say all that we do or don't do, not sure that it works yet, but if it does... lol. We have hit slower pitchers better this 13u season than ever. Speed, same deal with us an most of the other 14's we've faced. This is probably the most common issue with hitting at the older ages or at least what I've seen. Older OFC'rs could speak better about it than me. The issue I've seen is varying "corner" calling by umpires and that is more of the problem than the actual pitch and we train for a "9-softball width" zone but some umpires go beyond the call of duty. I think they are "blinkers" and in boxing that's a no-no and behind the plate puts a DD in the books... blink = strike... or flinch=strike. NOT saying it's easy to be consistant... but, you couple squirrely umps with a girl that can blow up a corner, long day at the plate... or a quick three and out.

Tracking drills and muscle memory to keep the hands high or in place are also key for us. Ton's of split second decisions have to be made to keep the hands and mechanics in tact, that is a huge challenge and I'm not versed enough to articulate just yet how to solve it if ever. I'll leave that to our OFC experts ;-).