Slump Busters Needed

[105°]

My son has hit the ball well the last 2 Seasons; many of his hits were power shots. Over the last 4 or 5 weeks he has struggled big time. Not making good contact and when he does, he has little or no power. We can’t really detect any difference in his swing and off the tee he crushes.
Looking for ideas on how you guys go about working out of a slump. I am sure part of it is now a “head’ thing but there must be things you guys look and work for to bust out of one of these.

[wogdoggy]

My son has hit the ball well the last 2 Seasons; many of his hits were power shots. Over the last 4 or 5 weeks he has struggled big time. Not making good contact and when he does, he has little or no power. We can’t really detect any difference in his swing and off the tee he crushes.
Looking for ideas on how you guys go about working out of a slump. I am sure part of it is now a “head’ thing but there must be things you guys look and work for to bust out of one of these.

speaking of head thing

Is he moving his head more during LIVE pitching than with a tee? MAYBE the pitching has gotten that much better as well?

[jimmiemac]

Generally lack of power would not be a "head" thing. Can you post a clip or 2? If everything looks normal look at his hands to make sure he is not rolling over too soon.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

My son has hit the ball well the last 2 Seasons; many of his hits were power shots. Over the last 4 or 5 weeks he has struggled big time. Not making good contact and when he does, he has little or no power. We can’t really detect any difference in his swing and off the tee he crushes.
Looking for ideas on how you guys go about working out of a slump. I am sure part of it is now a “head’ thing but there must be things you guys look and work for to bust out of one of these.

Glad this thread wasn't about a different kind of "slumpbuster."


Just a few questions...

-- Where does he bat in the order and has that changed?

-- Have you noticed any change in his aggressiveness at the plate (going from swinging at first pitch fastballs, to taking them).

-- Do you think he's trying to do too much? Sometimes hitting some homers can be the worst thing for a younger hitter. Gotta just realize, when they happen they happen, but to maintain swinging quick, not hard.

-- Was he a dead pull hitter before, or a spray hitter?

-- Has his stance changed?


The head thing is a tough issue for anyone. Thinking about how you shouldn't be thinking about it, is in essence, thinking about it. Focusing on going up the middle can be a good way to get back your timing.

[Jake Patterson]

Any film??

[105°]

Interesting you should ask those questions.....


-- Where does he bat in the order and has that changed?
Yes, he hit in the 3 or 4 hole on the small field. On the big field (as a 12 year-old) he hit 8 or 9.

-- Have you noticed any change in his aggressiveness at the plate (going from swinging at first pitch fastballs, to taking them).
Yes, he has always been a first pitch fastball hitter. His JV Coach had him take the first pitch.

-- Do you think he's trying to do too much? Sometimes hitting some homers can be the worst thing for a younger hitter. Gotta just realize, when they happen they happen, but to maintain swinging quick, not hard.
No, he hit 25 HRs over the last 2 seasons on the small field but knows he can't reach the fence on the big field... he has just been trying to hit period.
Our goal has always been to hit every good pitch as hard as we can and that has not changed.

-- Was he a dead pull hitter before, or a spray hitter?
Yes, always as has been. 80% to Left, maybe 20% to center, little or nothing to right.

-- Has his stance changed?
No, but we are thinking about shortening up, he starts wide but feels balanced there.

Thanks for your reply and input.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

No prob.

If he's not hitting the ball to right field, he's going to need to learn to imo. Batting 3rd or 4th, pitchers are going to treat him much different than if he's batting 7th or 8th. He's probably seeing more curveballs too huh. As far as his JV coach telling him to take a pitch; was that in a "situation?" Had the pitcher just walked two guys on 4 straight pitches? Were they down by 3 or 4 runs in the late innings? Is that the routine request from the coach? Hitting where he is now, and depending on the level of pitching talent, he might not see more than 1, maybe 2 if he's lucky, good pitches to hit during an AB. Generally, you can't afford to let fastballs down the pipe just sail by.

One more question. How far does he stand off the plate?