Dreaded discussion with coach - hitting advice not working for DD

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May 2, 2018
200
63
Central Virginia
Are you talking about the stance? Or at toe touch?

In the stance, the rear hip should not be over the back foot. And the back toe should point to the plate. And the back heel should be on the ground.

It matters little where the bat is, or where the hands are.

But at toe touch, it is critical she is in certain positions of leverage.
If the picture in his profile pic is his daughter in her batting stance, I'd say she is in a good position.
 
Oct 10, 2018
305
63
If the picture in his profile pic is his daughter in her batting stance, I'd say she is in a good position.

Yes, that is the "old" stance by her hitting coach. It was working very well. The barb here is how to tell the TB coaches their advice is not working but the batting coach's is so she's sticking with that.

Her last coach was obnoxious and petty and none of the parents could/would talk to her as she would bench girls for the smallest reason. DD is new on this team and doesn't want to make waves, and this is a hard convo for a kid to have, but this is a convo that needs to be had. Worst case I guess she takes her big bat elsewhere after the season, but as long as she's hitting well I'm sure they will get over it, Right?
 
Feb 24, 2024
29
3
Hi all, DD joined a really good team full of great hitters after fall ball. Before joining them she was a great hitter too having only 1 strike out in 15 fall showcases. After fall, the team fell apart and she was put on this new team that she LOVES and is really good.

Upon joining this team coaches wanted to "tweak" her batting mechanics so she took a break from her hitting coach and trained with them all winter. At the one winter tourney and later as school ball started she couldn't hit anything but mid-strength grounders and then pop ups when trying to adjust. We were hoping after so much opportunity to hit at HS it would gel but so far has not. Before her last HS game we suggested she use the mechanics her hitting coach taught her. She hit great going 3 for 5 - the last 3 at bats being really nice hits - one only 6'-8' from going over the fence.

Her hitting coach has her really coiled back with her weight on her back leg, small toe point, and the knob facing the catcher - perfect for her as she isn't the best about loading. Coaches want a more upright stance, more upright bat, no point, and some changes to her hand path that were needed/good.

So now..... should she say nothing, just hit the ball, great hits are what they are looking for and will speak for them self? However, blatantly ignoring what they say regarding her lower half and bat position will be obvious (esp. at practice) so maybe she should say something. They know what they are doing - it's a team of really good hitters, and a former Red Sox guy is helping coach the hitting. It's just their advice is not working for DD. Is there a way for her to discuss (at 15 she has her own conversations)? Maybe split the baby and acknowledge the hand path is much better but her lower body performs better with hitting coach's mechanics?
Hi all, DD joined a really good team full of great hitters after fall ball. Before joining them she was a great hitter too having only 1 strike out in 15 fall showcases. After fall, the team fell apart and she was put on this new team that she LOVES and is really good.

Upon joining this team coaches wanted to "tweak" her batting mechanics so she took a break from her hitting coach and trained with them all winter. At the one winter tourney and later as school ball started she couldn't hit anything but mid-strength grounders and then pop ups when trying to adjust. We were hoping after so much opportunity to hit at HS it would gel but so far has not. Before her last HS game we suggested she use the mechanics her hitting coach taught her. She hit great going 3 for 5 - the last 3 at bats being really nice hits - one only 6'-8' from going over the fence.

Her hitting coach has her really coiled back with her weight on her back leg, small toe point, and the knob facing the catcher - perfect for her as she isn't the best about loading. Coaches want a more upright stance, more upright bat, no point, and some changes to her hand path that were needed/good.

So now..... should she say nothing, just hit the ball, great hits are what they are looking for and will speak for them self? However, blatantly ignoring what they say regarding her lower half and bat position will be obvious (esp. at practice) so maybe she should say something. They know what they are doing - it's a team of really good hitters, and a former Red Sox guy is helping coach the hitting. It's just their advice is not working for DD. Is there a way for her to discuss (at 15 she has her own conversations)? Maybe split the baby and acknowledge the hand path is much better but her lower body performs better with hitting coach's mechanics?
All great hitters and pitchers have similar or same kinematic sequencing but visually they can look totally different. Keep in mind that a motor skills can not! Be Changed. Your daughter should be screened for what she can and can’t do physically. You say she has trouble loading on the back instep, maybe she can’t physically turn her pelvis or ankle properly, so coach around that important move. Maybe have her turn her back foot outward to the catcher, that way she can load with her negative move. Her pelvis should not go past 27 degrees for a loose mover and 10-15 degrees for a tight mover. Without a physical screen you and your hitting coach are only guessing.
 
May 7, 2015
842
93
SoCal
All great hitters and pitchers have similar or same kinematic sequencing but visually they can look totally different. Keep in mind that a motor skills can not! Be Changed. Your daughter should be screened for what she can and can’t do physically. You say she has trouble loading on the back instep, maybe she can’t physically turn her pelvis or ankle properly, so coach around that important move. Maybe have her turn her back foot outward to the catcher, that way she can load with her negative move. Her pelvis should not go past 27 degrees for a loose mover and 10-15 degrees for a tight mover. Without a physical screen you and your hitting coach are only guessing.
another blast from the past, this was a question from 2022..
 

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