Is hitting off a tee a good way to develop a young person's baseball swing?
447487
It can help kids who have never played before learn how to hold the bat, swing the bat, and hit a ball. If a kid already has these skills, a more helpful drill is to have them his soft-tosses into a fence. have them stand about 10 feet away from the backstop, facing the backstop (as if it was the pitcher's mound. Kneel off to the side about 5 feet away (as if you were in the other batters box) and gently lob balls to them underhand. I realize this sounds a bit confusing, but here is what it should look like:\n\nchild------backstop\n|\n| (softly thrown ball) \n|\nyou\n\nThis helps them learn how to hit a moving ball, and teaches them a more natural swing. This is also a good way to learn how to drive the ball with some power.
69509
In introducing a child to golf, or any game for that matter, don't worry about drills or any big formal training. Just take them out and let them try, teaching them just the basics they would need to know -- which for golf would be basically that they swing the club and hit the ball.\n\nYou can start them as young as they start to show an interest, and don't overlook those big plastic kids play toys. While not real golf clubs, they are a lot cheaper than the real thing and still enforce the basics of swinging the club.\n\nWhen you're ready to progress to real golf clubs, try just going to a driving range and using their clubs and don't overlook minature golf for working on putting skills. A real golf course with its vast size can be intimidating at first, but if the child has shown it can consistently hit the ball at the range, go for it.\n\nAnd if the child is still enjoying things at this point, it's probably time to finally consider bringing in training and drills and -- unless you are a scratch golfer and a teacher -- I would recommend bringing in a professional, who will be better suited to see where your child's game has problems and figure out the best way to work on them without having an adverse effect on the things they are doing right. Just remember, children's natural swings (be it golf, baseball or whatever) tend to be more closer to correct than what we start to do as adults, because after watching other people play and hearing all the talk on TV about how his pro does this or this is good and this is a problem, we try to make our swings match ... and often those things we're told are right for one person are wrong for us.\n\nThe biggest key is not to try and force anything on the child. If you push too hard, they probably won't have fun and, if they don't have fun they won't stick with any activity. Look at Tiger Woods ... he played early on, but he also has talked about how much he enjoys doing it. You generally never hear top level athletes, or even just casual athletes, talk about they're playing the game because their parents pushed them into it, but because of how much they love and enjoy it.
843585
At 10 years old he should only be doing basic excerises mostly of the stretching variety. If he wants to improve his pitching or batting power then the focus needs to be on his mechanics. Proper footwork and positioning will make him better. Fundamentals are far more important than strength, particularly at his age. Lifting weights, doing strength and power excerises at 10 will more likely lead to injuries and/or permanent damage and there wont be any baseball for him by time he reachs high school. Send him to a baseball camp or a hitting school (hitting schools also teach pitching, at least proper form at his age). These are almost always run by former professional baseball players or instructors and they take safety very seriously. He already has one of the most important things it takes to be a good ball player...determination & dedication, dont risk that by doing something foolish.Good luck!
233901
Im the same do the basics,anotther good thing to do is practice your bat swing,im talkin about bat speed,knowing what each pitch looks like,train your eye to pick up the ball mid way between you and the pitcher,make sure your timing is right,dont over step with your lead foot its all in your hips anyway,my coach taught us to place your toe to the cornner of the plate and then bring your toe to where the back of your foot is so you can make contact on any pitch,(on and inside pitch your going to turn your hips sooner making your bat come come closer to you.its the oppsite for and outside pitch your going to wait on the ball and take a slight step inside at the same time swinging your hips to the outside.as for feilding get a good jump on the ball and dont make a catch in an ocward position,get a good angle.
569776
I am a sophomore in high school on my varsity team. The best way to hit is to combine the rotational hitting with linear hitting. You use your legs to get the power to gain the rotational part of the swing. Then gain the linear part by getting extension of the hands. This is what all of the good college players are doing. I learned it from Michelle Ventrella, an Olympic gold medalist. It is more important to have a good swing than bat speed. Once all the fundamentals are right you try to get more bat speed because the ball will go farther.
1131603
Teach them to swing level. Step into it, and use their hips for power. Then work on bat speed.
653570
power--you can workout your legs an stomach muscles...also, you can do exercises that will make your grip on the bat stronger (however, remember to have a relaxed grip on the bat up until you hit the ball)\n\ncontact--here are some things you might wanna' try...shortening up your swing...using a lighter bat...widening your batting stance (but don't overdo it--rule of thumb I use is, "when you swing, if you're stepping backwards, that's too wide of a stance"...choke up on the bat with 2 strikes...lastly, you can hit golf-balls with a "dead" bat that feels like a bat you would use in a real game...this can help you find out if you have a hole in your swing\n\nhand eye coordination--if you're able to get film on your swing, you can analyze how your head moves...you want to limit the up & down movement of your head because it makes the ball appear to move more...with film, you can view whether or not you're stepping into a pitch or stepping out & how you're weight is distributed throughout your swing (should always be forward)...you can also play games like ping-pong, or even try juggling
635065
Use a crow-step if you're an outfielder. It allows your body to help push the ball for some extra distance. Although it adds additional power to your throw, it eats up some time if you are a novice, so ask your coach about using it for further info.\n\nWhen batting, make sure to put a good twist in your hips as this adds more power to your swing. Do not focus on power, however, until you have mastered technique. Otherwise you will pick up bad batting habits. Also, ensure that you are never pulling your head away from the ball. Many unknowingly do this and whiff.\n\nHope that helps at least a little. \n\nTry browsing this for more in-depth advice: http://www.baseballtips.com/newsletter/tipsarchive.html
811594
Keep your eye on the ball. Young hitters when in the batter's box have tendencies to move their head on the swing. When you move your head, you take your eye off the ball, and usually miss it. Another reason for taking your eyes off the ball is fear the ball is going to hit you. Just keep your eyes on the ball, and your hitting will improve tenfolds.
669573
If you mean pulling your head off the ball... head moves with shoulder this is a huge problem 'cause it makes seeing the ball virtually impossible. How to correct:\n\nGet a tee and put the ball on it. Look out ot the pitcher mound or where it would be... Now follow the imaginary pitch all the way to the tee. Hit the ball but focus on not moving your head but looking at the tee where the ball was. It will take a lot of practice to break this but with time and a lot of swings... you will correct it.\n\nIf you uderstand how to properly hit a ball to the opposite field. (Wait for the ball to get deeper) During the next several practices have someone pitch you BP and hit everything you get pitched to the opposite field. The trick here is to not wait for the outside pitch but try to force everything to the opposite field. High, Low, Inside, Outside... Wait on it and take it to the opposite field! Make a game of it... I like this better than tee work (but do both) because you are actively involved in hitting a pitched ball. Hitting to the opposite field requires your eyes to stay on the ball longer and deeper. \n\nIn a game situation when you are worried about it... we all get that way! Consider taking the first pitch and follow it all the way to the catchers mitt. This will reinforce the muscle memory right before you launch one!!!\n\nIt will take a lot of practice to break this but with time and a lot of swings... you will correct it. Remember it took a while to form the bad habit... \n\nGOOD LUCK!
353887
Pro golfers generate clubhead speed through technique which combines body rotation, armswing and wrist snap or rotation, and they've worked to put the three together to create the incredible clubhead speeds they generate.\n\nOf course, it's impossible to give a real answer to your question, since I've not played with you and haven't seen you swing, but from the tone of your question, I would look at two things to start -\n\nFirst, when you're driving from a tee, the ball should be a little bit forward in your stance, and the clubhead should be level or starting on its upward arc when you strike the ball.  If the ball is back and the clubhead is still on its downward arc, you're going to lose a great deal of driving distance.\n\nSecond, you need to make sure that you hit *through* the ball and complete your swing.  If you are only swinging *to* the ball, you're going to be slowing down your swing before the clubhead reaches the ball, resulting in lost distance.  You need to take a full swing, and just let the ball get in the way.
1022447
your age, aize and weight play no factor in the ability to hit home runs. its really technique and a bit a luck. the fact that you hit one means you more than likely have good technique and see the ball well. home runs come on their own so just keep swinging the bat like you have been and you'll soon see more. oh yeah, congrats on your first homer.
1095420
When you naturally hit to the opposite field, it is considered to be very good, as it is much easier to learn to pull the ball than to learn to go the other way.  First thing is to check your stance.  If your back leg is further back from your front leg, this will shoot the ball to the opposite side.  Evening your legs out will help.  Make sure that when you swing, your knuckles are aligned, because if they aren't you will always hit to the opposite field. (Plus it saps all of your power!!! ALWAYS align your knuckles.)  Other than that, make a conscious effort to pull the ball by not trailing the head of the bat behind your hands.  Hope this helps.
329800
being a first baseman myself, my advice would be that the most important skill is to be able to catch balls in the dirt - mostly bad throws from 2B, SS, 3B. another is the stretch to catch the ball. tall isnt as important as long - being able to reach out and catch the ball the earliest possible. quickness isnt really an issue, you only need to move 15 feet MAX to either side.
602652
Whatever you do...don't force it upon him.  If he wants to learn to play golf that's great.  Don't make it a pressure.  As long as he's having fun.  I believe it's best to start with the driver at the range and then the other clubs (some instructors might disagree, but if you think about..the driver needs the most practice and if he can hit that he'll hit'em all).  Show him the proper grip.  That's one of, if not "the" most important fundamentals.  He'll probably do better with an interlocking grip to start.  Allow him to not be absolutely perfect and allow him to take a full swing and stay in balance.  Teach him the proper foot work to develop rhythm.  Spend a lot of time putting and chipping.  Let him watch a good golfer swing and allow him to emulate.  Don't let him play on a public course until he can make decent contact so he will enjoy it more and not frustrate the 4 some behind you.  Unless there is a shorter, less traveled golf course available.  Seeing him hit his tee shot down the middle will be worth all the patient it takes to get there.  ENJOY and Good luck.
938277
I would say yes.  You don't want to start quitting things in any part of life.  Stick it out even though you are not getting the playing time it will help you build character.  The biggest regret I have is quitting my baseball team my Senior year after I had a 3rd degree separation of the shoulder and was out for the year also ruining chances of playing in college.  I feel I would have learned a lot more about life in just the last month and a half of the season if I just stuck it out.
514478
Several suggestions for how to improve your game off the tee.\n\n1) Try using a 3-wood instead of a driver. For most high handicap golfers the difference in distance is not a big change, but the accuracy and consistency improve dramatically.\n\n2) Slow and steady on the back swing. While you need to get the club in motion, having a fast backswing just screws up your balance. Practice by taking the club back very slowly and you will see quick improvement.\n\n3) Let the club do the work! Overswinging will only result in topping the ball or having a wicked slice or hook. Establishing a nice easy rythmn will give you the most consistent swing.