Posted by: The Hitting Guru () on Sun May 23 19:35:54 2004

I've got roped into coach my son's t-ball team (5/6 yrs). Obviously, I am not going to try to teach them the nuances of a big-league swing. That said, I would like them to walk away better off than when they started. After the first couple of weeks it looks as if the major faults are they tend to hold the bat tight against their chests, and they like "stepping in the bucket". Any suggestions as to sequencing of priorities and drills, keeping in mind short attention spans, would be appreciated.
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> Rob,



The reason they probably hold the bat on their chest is because it probably feels comfortable to them. There is also a natural tendency for the kid to want to whack the ball away from where it is, so they lead with the buck foot in order to get all their momentum into the hit. (Big leaguers do the same every now and then.) In order to help, you should try telling them to back off the plate, take a simulated swing half way until they just about touch the ball (bat just behind the ball. You may have to show them. Let them do this about 2 or 3 times. Then let them whack away. This should help. Good Luck.
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> You may have been "roped" into the most enjoyable trip you and your son have ever been on. I've assisted or coached my son's teams for 6 years now (fall, spring and occational allstars) and couldn't have asked for anything more. Back to your question...teach them to: 1) hold/throw a ball 2) align their feet properly at the plate 3) align their knuckles when holding the bat. 4) teach them a proper follow through (IMO it helps keep their feet from moving all over the place). MOST IMPORTANTLY show a sincere interest in all of them and you'll be rewarded by hearing "Hi coach" at your son's school, the mall, or when you're walking across the parking lot at the field after a hard day at work when you thought you'd rather be anywhere else. - Tom Waz