Ajusting while a kid grows in front of your eyes

What you are seeing is totally normal. When the body grows, the body geometry changes; that is all lengths and angles etc. etc. As you know hitting is a very finite skill, so a 1/4 inch here or there is a big deal.

Often you can usually tell when a MIF is growing, they go from feilding cleanly like they've been taught to not getting down quite far enough. All very normal.

As PGStaff once confirmed for me it is also very normal for a growing kid to get slower, only to regain or improve their overall speed later.

If your guy is like my guy, he also sleeps constantly when gorwing.

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Couple other things worth mentioning...

First, The latest information I have seen says that kids can and often do grow literally over night. Wake up one morning taller up to half an inch...Instant new body, instant challenge, instant "out of whack".

And second, Big kids often "find themselves" late which can be really hard in a world that demands instant gratification, but translates into upside if they are willing to wait it out and work hard.

Good luck!

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Mine gained weight before starting his growth spurt and although he never had any fat on him he was stocky and he slowed down a lot. Then when he was going through his growth spurt he stayed slow. Our coach values speed above all else so he wasn't given a chance to win a position in the field. He's gotten a little quicker now that he's finished growing, his latest 40 time was 4.8. We figured the 4.6 he ran the first time wasn't legit. Our teams tend to trail the league in scoring most every season but the approach never changes and kids are driven out of the program because they don't fit the mold.

Rain delay,
Just wanted to echo the other posters. They can be out of whack in all aspects of the game. Nothing will be untouched. But when they get it back, WOW, power, speed, agility and arm strength. They can do so much more than they ever did before it is amazing to watch. Keep plugging away. The rewards are immense.

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Would echo. Often big kids pudge and sprout. Usually lose it in 6 to 18 months, but it can stay on for years. Frustating as there is still a great athlete in there somewhere. When the hormones change it often magically slides right off, they harden up, their co-ordination is better than ever, and their motivation changes. They are more likley to want to be in the weight room. It's a pretty amazing metamorphosis.

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My son's mechanics went to hell when he grew seven inches in eight months while only gaining fifteen pounds. 5'4", 120 to 5'11", 135. He's now 6'1, 165. The second burst was more about weight with no ill effects. He gained twenty-five pounds in three months. Last summer he went away for a week. I could tell he returned an inch taller.

Rain Delay,

I can relate. When my son was 10-12 yrs old he was big for his age and could really pound the ball. Comes 13 years old and the move to the big field which coincided with the growth spurts and he couldnt hit water if he fell out of a boat. Tripped over the chalk lines in size 13 cleats. He is now just turned 14 yesterday, 6' 1 1/2", 165 pounds and is starting to come back just in time for HS tryouts. He doesnt look like an albatross trying to take off when he fields ground balls and he is starting to get the bat back.
Stay Patient!