Keeping head down during swing

Question
Dear Pete,

My son is nine years old.  I have been working with him on his swing using various methods which include T-work and soft toss.  During T-work and soft toss his swing mechanics are close to perfect (weight back, hands lead, head down, drive with the hips, etc..).  However, in live situations he has a tendancy to pull his head and therefore has trouble making contact.  Do you have any suggestions on what I can do to improve this?  Thanks

Answer
Hi Mike,

Sorry about the delay--my computer is really acting up lately.

First, let me say that it sounds as though your boy is a few steps ahead of his peers.  The fact that he is doing tee work and soft toss on a regular basis will pay off big in time.

When I have a skilled player that is not making contact when it comes to live pitching, I tend to think there is a mental solutioin to the problem.  Often, it is the hitter's approach to the at bat that needs attention.

I suggest that you explain a few things to your son that might get him thinking in such a way as to increase his ability to put the bat on the ball.  

First, let him know that the plate is not there for him, but for the pitcher and the umpire.  The hitter should focus on the hitting zone, which is a couple of feet in front of the plate.  

The hitting zone is where contact will be made.  More importantly, focusing on the hitting zone AND the ball in the pitchers hand WITHOUT moving the head is possible.  Put another way, the batter can see the ball in pitchers hand AND the hitting zone without moving the head at all.

Next, explain to him that it is OK for his eyes to follow the ball, but the head should remain still, facing the hitting zone and slightly downward.  The nose actually points to right center ( for right handed hitters ), through the hitting zone, while the eyes are focused on the ball in the pitchers hand.  As the ball comes in, the eyes follow it until contact is made--right where the nose was pointing all along--right down the barrel.  Take a look at a major league game on TV--try to see the hitters eyes when they are awaiting the pitch--you can see 90% white with the pupils way in the corners of the eyes, the hitters face is not pointing directly at the pitcher.  Then, when they show the shot of the swing from above the hitter, you'll see that contact is made way in front of the plate and the head barely moves.

Next, explain that the hitters hands take direction from the brain.  The brain gets information from the eyes.  If the head moves, the eyes send mixed-up signals to the brain and it is very difficult to make contact.  The keys to hitting are in the eyes and the hands.  Once he learns this and begins making contact, you can introduce hip turn for added power.  All the other stuff--stance, grip, lead foot etc. take a back seat to getting the head still and taking the hands to the hitting zone.

Finally, make sure he knows that all he has to do is make contact and he will have a very successful youth baseball career.  Have him focus less on hitting the ball hard and more on hitting the ball FAST.  He'll tear it up.

Hope this helps.

Pete