Posted by: Graylon (g-dunc@hotmail.com) on Mon Feb 23 17:29:00 2009

> I have a 14 year-old who during tee drills and soft toss has a mechanically sound swing and looks great. However, when against a machine or live pitching something changes. He all of a sudden starts to lead with his hands and straighten up off his back leg. His body is coming up and forward and he is not staying back on the ball like he normally does. Wondering if this is a timing issue or maturity issue? Is it possible his swing is changing and becoming too early because he is overly concerned with the ball getting by him??? Any ideas guys?? Thanks

IMO it has a lot to do with his mental guardrails. He is afraid to be late, so he starts to early, He then realizes he will be early and then has to push forward to the ball.

I like front toss and working opposite field. Force him to let the ball get deep. When you go to BP tell him to not worry about the outcome just wait and drive the ball to right field.

He has to breakdown his mental guardrail.

Graylon