How many coaches have
you ever heard tell a player
they are NOT allowed NOT
to swing?
For an occasional Team
Fastball player, and some
of my students local and
across the country, they
get that message directly
from me.
Not allowed NOT to swing?
What?
For the right player this is the
right message.
They Take BP and look
like a million dollars!
They get in the game and
look like five dollars.
Late contact. Swing and misses
generally late.
What's the difference?
In BP the player has already decided
he is swinging before the ball is pitched.
IN the game the player see's the pitch,
then decides if he is going to swing
or NOT going to swing. Too late!
Great hitters are green light, or yes
hitters. They are swinging at everything
and then put the brakes on if the pitch
is not their pitch.
Yellow Light Hitters in a game watch
the ball out of the pitchers hand and
then try to make a decision to swing.
The thinking get's in the way.
I was told once that if I did not swing
the bat I was going to be pinched hit
for right in the middle of the at bat.
The coach said in front of everyone -
Ryan - If you don't swing at the next
pitch, your benched!
Thinking that the pitcher will never
throw me a strike, I decided that
I was going to swing, and look stupid,
and it would be my coaches fault.
Key - I was willing to look stupid.
Key 2 - I decided I was swinging before
the ball was pitched. (Just like BP!)
Next pitch - Double in gap. The ball was
at my eyes but I swung and connected.
Next At bat ? - Swung at the first pitch
and another double in the gap.
I realized all my work meant nothing, unless
I just went up there swinging. I was thinking
too much.
Key Lessons -
I needed to trust my work. Trust my practice.
Pre Game Wiffle Ball?
Something we do time to time with Team Fastball
is play wiffle ball in pre game.
Yes. We skip pre game hitting and just break into
a wiffle ball game.
Why? Either you're prepared or your not.
When the game begins we need to play like we are playing
a wiffle ball game in the backyard. We need to let our
thoughts go and just have fun.
You're NOT allowed Not to swing is a bit extreme
but it works for the right players.
I have witnessed players who are over matched on
fastballs now start to be on-time.
I have witnessed players who are indecisive, now
100% get rid of the over thinking.
Will they swing at a pitch in the dirt? Yes.
Will they swing at a pitch over their head? Yes.
Will they connect when the ball is in the zone? Yes
Will they be late? No.
What player or players on your team need this advice?
Can you spot him?
Remember - Aggressiveness is the number 1 trait to becoming
great at hitting. It's not number 2 or number 3. It's number 1.
Once you're aggressive you can learn eventually to control the
aggressiveness a bit.
Play the game like you're playing a game.
Trust Your Practice.
Coach Ryan
email - fastballusa@hotmail.com
* Coach Ryan is available for hire for organization
to enhance their baseball development results.
* This includes Clinics, Seminars, Camps,
Speaking Engagements.
* This includes the right organizations looking to
enhance player performance.
