Posted by: rql () on Thu May 22 18:47:21 2008

> My son is 13 years old and has a fear of getting hit by the ball. We found this out because when he goes to hit he quickly shuffles both feet out of the box. He didn't know he was doing this until he saw himself on tape. The result is weak hits that never make it to the grass, generally gets thrown out at first. We've put the 2x4 behind him with some success but im trying to find something that will replace the negative thoughts in his head. He doesnt have a particular occassion where he got hit he just has a subconcious fear of getting hit.
I would say since it is mental you must deal with it mental,he must decide that he is tougher than the ballmthat the only place he can get hurt is in the head or nuts ,so he wears a helmet and cup.That covered he must be happy to get hit dare to be hit,because it helps him to help his team win and it raises his obp,it is nice to learn to roll back properly to absorb the pitch but you wont do that scared,he must believe he is like a piece of steel that cannot be hurt or he will not be able to put it out of his mind,if you think of getting hit then you cannot hit,for many it never comes and they get soccer cleats