Baseball Coaching Drills - Overcoming a Fear of the Baseball

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By Larry Cicchiello

First of all, please realize that if you have a fear of the baseball, you are not alone. Just the opposite is true. In fact, almost all baseball hitters at every level have a fear of the baseball to one extent or the other. True, the amount of fear does vary significantly.

You may have possibly gotten hit by a pitch and it may have been very painful experience and given you a very unpleasant lasting memory. Getting hit by a pitched ball can be outright disheartening and scary and you have every right in the world to be fearful.

If this is the case, it will take some time for you to have most of that fear fade away. The best cure in the world is many, many at bats. The more at bats you have without going through this painful experience again is the best cure and you should be able to get your fear under much better control.

Don't ever be embarrassed about having a fear of the baseball. Many hitters have a fear of the baseball and the amount of fear they have will vary. Many will not admit they have a fear. So if you have a fear of the ball, trust me, you are not alone by any means.

Baseball Coaching Tips That Should Help:


Open up your stance and turn your head more toward the pitcher. It seems a little ironic to recommend turning more toward the pitcher if you already have a fear of the ball. But what happens is that you will see the ball much better. And just seeing the ball better will give you much more confidence that you can get out of the way of the pitch if you have to.
Make sure that your front shoulder is not too high. Make sure it is low enough so it is not even coming close to obstructing any of your view of the ball.
With younger players especially, pitch to them with a tennis or plastic ball and occasionally throw the ball right at them. Watch and enjoy as their confidence grows when they come to realize they CAN safely get out of the way of the ball. This is one of the best baseball coaching drills that can be used to help a player, especially a younger one.
And remember the safest way to get out of the way from an inside pitch. Tuck your chin in against your chest, bend at the waist and make a quarter turn toward the catcher. Think of it as if you are going to have a nose to nose argument with the catcher. This will protect your head and face, chest, stomach and groin area. You are much better off getting hit in the upper, middle or lower part of the back or the rear end than getting hit in the front of your body.

Larry Cicchiello is the author of "Excellent Baseball Coaching: 30 Seconds Away." His very user friendly eBooks cover 320 topics on playing or coaching excellent baseball. ANY players, coaches or parents who want to help their child improve will be fully equipped! Some FREE tips are available at http://www.LarryBaseball.com/product/all

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