You know that players use a tee all the way through the pros, right?
It's probably the only hitting aid I recommend.
[Perpetual] "I was wondering if it was ok for our 8u girls to hit off of a tee and soft toss using 12" balls. 8u is 10","
I used to use the golf sized balls, tennis balls, and...
Most girls HS and below could stand to improve their throwing mechanics. However, I don't know if anyone would know how to teach them how to improve.
I tell boys and girls to think about touching their neck with their throwing hand and it seems to help, quickly. I told a HS outfielder this...
Is this her normal swing? No
Did someone tell her to swing this way? No
Does she practice to swing this way? No
Most kids have enough swing problems without introducing new problems.
Fun clip though :)
If you have a good swing, there is NO WAY you could stop at contact.
Ergo, if you can stop at contact, you have a bad swing.
If the coach is telling them to stop during actual games, then he needs to be in a mental institution.
I'm teaching you, not the kid. :) But seriously, YOU can teach/enforce #1, YOU can tell them to try to hit the ball over the L screen, and YOU can tell them not to listen to anyone that wants them to squish the bug or use door knocking knuckles. He/she may not get it right away, but you can...
If one has bat drag (which almost every kid on this board has), you can't think your way to success.
If one is a top college or MLB hitter, they already have good technique, and are mostly concerned with feels.
The straightening of the very bent front knee is generating lots of extra speed over others. (just like hitting and baseball pitching, and golf driving)