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What is the best way to teach a 12 year-old to hit an above average fastball?
Roberto Clemente
Roy asked: I've heard at 12 years of age the reaction time required to hit above average fastballs approximates major league reaction times. What is the best way to train a hitter to react to and hit 75MPH+ speeds? Once they feel they are late, they often attempt to muscle up and swing harder. This can lead to a longer, looping swing, and they become slower, not quicker. If the hitter is arriving late, the solution is generally not to hurry up, it is much more effective to start earlier, "slow and early." Players will adjust to the speed, if their mechanics are solid. So much of hitting is the confidence that they are a good hitter. Tee work, soft toss, short toss and live BP. I believe that hitting fungos is also a good drill for hitters to help develop their swing. In all the pictures above, the hitters all have great dynamic balance. Each is in a differnt stage of the swing. Roberto Clemente and Carlos Gonzalez are not a surprise. The third was a high school freshman when he hit that pitch. It takes time, dedication, effort and patience. It may be the number one most difficult feat in sports to accomplish, consistently hitting a baseball. If it's not number 1, it is certainly in the top three. Good luck as you both go forward. Pete Rose's philosophy, " see the ball, hit the ball," was possible because he hit from a sound, dynamic base. Yours in baseball, Rick |
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