Slump Busting - Hitting Mechanics

Nate,

Excellent article. We are trying to work through one right now.

Depends on the hitter.

First off is finding out if it's truly a "Slump" or not. I've had to work with kids struggling MENTALLY because they were hitting the ball VERY WELL, but nothing was dropping. I remember a kid I coached last year. One weekend we were playing and he hit THREE ROCKETS on his first three at bats. RIGHT at a fielder each time. I told him if he tried to change anything with his swing because of it, I'd beat him with his own bat.

The next game he had one hit a gap. The following day he had a multiple hit, multiple RBI game.


Personally I think you need to identify what may be causing the "Slump" if that's what it is.

Popping up? Grounding out? Hitting everything oppo?

Sometimes it's simple things like just being way out in front. Then it's a matter of just working on timing, many times it's not the swing, it's WHEN a hitter is pulling the trigger TO swing.

Other times it can be pulling off the ball. Dropping the hands at load / launch.

Sometimes just making a simple stance change can be enough to get a kid to stop thinking about it so much.

I started this season off 3-19 and was open and tall with my stance. My coach worked with me on keeping my stance closed and wide with no step. This made sure my front foot was down and my timing was alot better.

This is just my opinion: If they were hitting the ball well and are not, they aren't seeing it anymore. We bunt. And bunt and bunt and bunt. Then bounce it back to the pitcher, then harder. Then to opposite field. All in BP of course.