Fixing a Youth Baseball Swing in 1 Minute

[@gregkirchner1907]

That's such great advice. His body figured out how to adjust to place the hit all on its own to where he wanted it to go with no confusing instructions to the brain. Been coaching LL for 6 years and have never figured out how to teach hit location. I did it well on my own as a young player and no coaches ever taught it. You read the pitch and just have to react quickly to what is possible.

[@danNat978]

Great job matty and coach laura

[@tboicourt]

I wish I could give a thumbs up more than once. When my 9U right handed hitting son starts to struggle he has similar tendencies. I remind him to think right center gap. It seems to get him out of his head, oddly enough, and just swing. He let's his hard work and learned fundamentals take over.

[@BorisCaro]

Great advice! Don’t go technical during a game because that will create confusion. A simple, practical comment to change the mindset. Magic! Thanks! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@ChristopherBroughton-j8u]

This is great. Exactly what I need as a coach and parent of a 9 year-old.

[@TheLearningCatalystCoach]

Really good advice here! Ive noticed some kids are able to take in technical changes during practice, and many can't take that in during a game(there's SO much going on for them). Keeping it simple like this feels key...where they can easily visualize a simple approach(hit it there)

[@Kasper8421]

Thank you for the practical coaching advice, Matt!

[@BigLeagueBallpark]

Of the thousand little tricks I use this is by far the most common one. When it's not your own kid, or they're really young, make it fun or crazy. Some of the BIG swingers won't cut their swings down, so I tell them I want a BOMB 500 feet over the right field fence. At one field I say "over the building" which is outrageously far and only RF has a building. That usually gets them to turn around and crack a joke or a smile or a give me a "what are you nuts" look, which means they actually "heard" me. Going the other way fixes so many swings, so you hear most coaches saying "wait longer" or "stay in there" or "don't be afraid" or "stop stepping out". But it's got to be a visual statement (like hit it to 2nd) or actually visual, like drawing a circle in the dirt near the front corner of the plate and asking them to "step on that when you swing". If they don't, I say "oops, you missed the spot" and draw it again. This usually works within a couple of swings whereas "stay in there" has probably never worked in the history of youth baseball. Don't forget to reinforce it.... a post game, or inning, high five along with statement like "amazing what happens when you try to hit it to right... you hit BOMBS".

[@reesesmith1196]

This is how you coach in-game..👍

[@andybufano7363]

Great video

[@blankname6629]

Do you think you could do a video on top draft prospect Connor griffin? I keep hearing he has a swing issue. But on the videos I see a lightning quick powerful swing. I heard callis call it a bat path problem. But I really have not seen it but I am also watching highlights of him.

[@sangaman]

The tip is a good one and I think those sorts of external cues work well. But my understanding is that coaching kids mid-game from the sidelines is discouraged. The LL parent code of conduct says "I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games and practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team." Far too often I see parents yelling at their kids in the middle of an at bat, it rarely helps and often frustrates the player, even when it's good advice. The time for that advice is in backyard batting practice, and players should be allowed to make mistakes in game, learn from them, and (like you said) make adjustments on their own.

[@stannelson4414]

😁