High School Hitting Approach

Not to say that I agree or disagree with "Hands to the ball" approach. But, whether a hitter commits too early on an offspeed offering has nothing to do with it. In fact hitting oppo would encourage a hitter to be letting the ball get deep in the zone, encouraging a hitter to keep his weight back longer.

A hitter getting out in front does not do that because he leads with his hands, it happened because he is leading too soon.

Stay back, and drive the ball to oppo if that is what is required. The approach to hitting oppo should in fact be enhanced with off speed pitches. Its the fastball on the inside that will be difficult to hit oppo effectively.

They want him to get his weight to his front foot early, hips following the hands. I am not really looking to debate mechanics, just a way forward for my son since he has 2 more years.

Same conversation with my sons batting coach last night. His advice was nod your head for the coaches satisfaction and do it your way in the game. If they have you do 100 swings in BP their way, go home and do 200 the way I've taught you. Son wasn't too happy with that answer since he has to take an earful when they say he's going back to his "old" swing.

During the parent meeting with the head coach he said I know many of you have private pitching and hitting coaches. Give that a rest now... we have that covered here. Why don't they work together??

standball,

The standard approach is what 2016dad said:  "nod your head for the coaches satisfaction and do it your way in the game."

But this might not work for your son because his coach's advice is so extreme: "get his weight to his front foot early, hips following the hands," and hit everything to the right side (instead of using the whole field).

It would be really hard to fake that.

I'm baffled.

edited to say--after further thought, I think your son shouldn't change his swing, but should try like heck to hit the ball to the right side.

Sounds so familiar. So what are you going to do? I think I will have my son sit down with the coach and see what comes out of it. He needs to learn to deal with these kinda of things. I suggested the same thing, work on hitting the HS coach way and when you get home take some swings his way so he does not lose it. 

Son is frustrated but he understands not to let it get to him but its tough to hit when you know the coach is scrutinizing his swing. Thing is my son can hit.  

  I know a kid who is ranked in the top 20 of his class in the nation, and the coach wont leave him alone. Always trying to get him to do this or try that. He has been instructed by his dad to go along with the coach and be polite, but in the games do what you normally do. It seems to work out real good, he is on pace to hit 550 again and lead the team in HRs and doubles, like he did last year.

 My advice would be, do not get in the dog house, go along with the coach at least enough to keep him happy.

HS and college players need to learn and accept that sometimes their own coaches are part of the adversity of the game.

I'm with FF and would add that some other things don't add up as well, assuming you are correct in stating that the coach clearly knows the game.  Perhaps there is some misinterpretation going on by son?  For example, there is a big difference between getting the front foot down early and getting his weight to the front foot early.  There is also a difference between leading with the hands and hands leading ahead of/inside the ball.

Was he hitting well prior due to other good instruction or did it just come naturally to him?  If due to previous instruction, has son communicated with HC that he is struggling due to having been taught conflicting mechanics?  I think open and respectful dialog would be a good step if he hasn't already.

Our staff tries to be aware of different teaching philosophies and if a player comes in with something different than what we teach, either let him continue with what works for him or help him understand the differences and get them on the best path, whatever that may be.  However, many young players are afraid to share that they've been taught something different.  I also realize that not all coaches are open to other methods, so it can be a slippery slope.

Yes, that is what he is trying to do. I actually like the coach, but our team is not hitting at all and the K's and run production should be an indication that something is not working. As a team we already have close to 50 K's. My son has one. 

Sorry, but as a coach, I have way more respect for a kid who will try to discuss this sort of struggle openly with me than I do with a kid who nods his head and then ignores me time and time again.  Don't think we can't recognize that.

That said, we do try to communicate on a regular basis that conflicting mechanic philosophies can be confusing and encourage each player to let us know if they are having those types of issues.  Heck, there have been times when our own staff is in disagreement with each other.  We've gotten much better, but there was a time when it happened on the field during practices occasionally... was quite entertaining for the boys.

When I say he knows the game, I am referring to how he manages a game (strategically). He has been told the hands should initiate the swing going at least 4 inches forward before his hips are activated (back foot should squish the bug on follow through). My son has always hit well, gap to gap hitter, has the only HR this year on varsity. I understand hitting inside the ball is a good thing, but giving away half the field in every at bat is tough. I think the next step is to have my son meet one on one with the coach. BTW, my son is very respectful and works as hard as anyone so there is no attitude problem here. He is a good teammate and well respected.        

BTW, my son does not know I have posted this issue on this board. As a dad I am just trying to help him out with some advice and not do anything silly. He loves to play for his HS team, so quitting is not an option. I also do not believe in transferring to a different HS as a solution.     

 I started a thread 2 months ago (what would you do?) and it was almost this exact question, there were lot's of responses, but what I gathered mostly is that coaches don't want to be approached by this type of thing, or that the kid should do it the way he is told and demonstrate how he is a coachable player. Kinda hard to do sometimes but why risk the dog house?

I'm not sure I can even physically do that

I am not asking in a negative way but how are you getting the coach's philosophies at such a detailed level?  Is son sharing or are you hearing directly from the coach?

BTW, sounds like you and he are taking the best steps that you can.

I tell my kid that each coach has "ideas" that will work for him.  He needs to listen build his knowledge base.  Eventually he will incorporate those ideas that work for him and discard those that don't.  For example, his current coach teaches mechanics that focus on contact and sacrifice power.  Eventually, he'll put the two things together. 

When you say the mechanics are to "lead with the hands" and hit to the opposite side, I'm reading keep your "hands inside the ball."  Regardless of your chosen mechanics, that is a good fundamental to have.  Good luck. 

From my son. I have no reason to doubt what he is telling me as I have heard the same from other dads and players. Thanks Cabbage, I know you are HS coach and I value your input. This will be a teaching moment for my son on how to deal with adversity. I have no intentions of getting involved except to offer my son advice and suggestions. I have no doubt he will work through this, just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. Thanks  

100% agree with staying inside the ball. 

Say "yes, sir," turn around, do it his way a few times, then keep swinging the way he normally does. When you get to games and BP, most coaches can't tell what their hitters are doing without video.

If you can hit, very few coaches will care what you do. As with everything, there are exceptions.

Isn't the fact that the teams' hitting is in the tank relevant here?

Is to me.

Low Finish.........Spot on feedback

My son is a good hitter and his personal hitting coach knows that there are a few basic elements you have to do mechanically to be successful. However, the coach does not get caught up in restructuring other little elements in between if the hitter is successfully completing the few required elements.

Last summer my son played for a new summer program and all winter training he had 2-3 different voices picking at little things in his swing.  Any coach that over engineers hitting does not fully understand it.  For example with my son, the toe of his back foot comes slightly off the ground at the point of impact.  All other elements of his body and hands are in an ideal position at impact.  Nonetheless, the summer coaches continued to focus all winter on the back toe being off the ground and they drove him into submission to keep it on the ground.

He tried to integrate their feedback while at winter practices, but went back to what he normally does when working on his own or with his personal hitting coach. When the summer season started, he was one of the top hitters and you never heard one word about his back foot from any of the coaches who tried to over engineer him during the winter workouts.

My personal opinion........It is not worth discussing philosophies with a coach who is so dogmatic in his hitting approach.  It is easy to tell who you can and can't have that conversation with.  PLUS standballdad, from your comments, it appears your son is managing it and is still producing at the plate this season.

You need to show the coaches these photos:

Almost 2000 HR's and 12,000 hits from these 4-dudes that lift(ed) their back foot off the ground at impact... Anyone who discourages it automatically knows little about hitting in my book...