Helping Young Baseball Players Overcome Their Fear of Getting Hit by a Pitch

By Tony Argula

Eventually all baseball players will get hit by a pitch. Most times, especially the first few times, it hurts! For more experienced players, getting hit by a pitch is just part of the game of baseball and is easily forgotten.

However, for young players, especially players that have recently moved up from Tee Ball to the player pitch level, the experience can be somewhat devastating. A player must get over the fear of being hit by the ball. If they are in the batters box worrying about getting hit, there is no way they're going to hit the ball.

Helping a player get over their fear of the ball can take time. It is best to start the process immediately. If a coach finds that a player is afraid of getting hit by the ball, the first thing the coach needs to do is to help the player become comfortable in the batters box.

In practice, have the player get into the batters box WITHOUT the bat. A coach should pitch and have them only watch the ball as it comes over the plate. The player should not swing or stride towards the pitch, just stand and watch the ball. This should be done for 10-20 pitches each and every time the player bats in practice. Continue this until they look comfortable in the batters box. When the player feels they will not get hurt, they will become more comfortable and relaxed at the plate.

The next step is to have the player grab a bat and get into the batters box. The player still should not swing at the ball. You want the player to simply watch the path of the ball. Make sure the player is in their proper batting stance. This drill should be done for and additional 10-20 pitches.

Finally, when the player looks comfortable at the plate the coach should then have them swing at live pitching.

For younger players, the coach may need to spend more time helping a player feel safe up at bat. Especially with a younger player that has recently moved up from Tee Ball.

Tony Argula
CoachYouthSports

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Argula

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