In working on pitch selection, what are some of the cues/advice you give to your hitters? Looking for feedback on some of the cues I give our hitters:
1. For the first pitch, look for something in the zone you like to hit. Most times pitchers try to get ahead with strikes, so if it's in your prefered zone, go after it. Is this good advice? Rather than be aggressive on first pitches (which I used to flatly state), be aggressive on first pitches that are in an area you like to hit (i.e. some kids like higher pitches, some kids like inside pitches, etc.)
2. With two strikes, continue to be aggressive and expand your strikezone slightly. I don't teach "two-strike hitting" anymore, meaning, shorten your swing and try to "Stay alive." I used to, but I found we actually became more timid and less effective on balls that were hit (weak stuff just because we were trying to "protect").
Are there any other cues you give based on count (up 2-0 or 2-1/3-1)? Are there some I'm missing or should revise based on what I typed above? I appreciate the feedback. Thanks!
Mike
1. For the first pitch, look for something in the zone you like to hit. Most times pitchers try to get ahead with strikes, so if it's in your prefered zone, go after it. Is this good advice? Rather than be aggressive on first pitches (which I used to flatly state), be aggressive on first pitches that are in an area you like to hit (i.e. some kids like higher pitches, some kids like inside pitches, etc.)
2. With two strikes, continue to be aggressive and expand your strikezone slightly. I don't teach "two-strike hitting" anymore, meaning, shorten your swing and try to "Stay alive." I used to, but I found we actually became more timid and less effective on balls that were hit (weak stuff just because we were trying to "protect").
Are there any other cues you give based on count (up 2-0 or 2-1/3-1)? Are there some I'm missing or should revise based on what I typed above? I appreciate the feedback. Thanks!
Mike