As a coach, you can teach hitting mechanics all day and even watch players improve by leaps and bounds when they tee off or throw pitches made by a pitching machine that drives each pitch into the strike zone. But an intangible problem often rears its ugly head when a live pitch from an uncertain source, such as an opposing pitcher, enters the mix and out of the box due to fear of being hit by the pitch. How can you overcome the fear of being hit by the court? It may not be easy in some cases, but it is possible.
It starts with the proper batting stance!
For starters, teach your players (or son / daughter) that proper batting stance will help them hit strikes AND protect themselves more effectively in the event of a pitch. Getting on the bucket prevents a good swing on any pitch, which reduces both power and contact. Additionally, opening the front foot outward and away from the plate exposes the face, stomach and, in the case of men, the external anatomy to the potential of being struck. Explain that the impact will hurt worse in these places than if they kept the front foot in place, walking directly toward the pitcher. Then, if they have to protect themselves, they can bend the shoulder and head, turning towards the rear arm, and remove the tone from the helmet, butt, meat from the arm or shoulder or back, greatly reducing the puncture. The bottom line is that proper posture is safer and more productive. Here’s a key: training your players to get out of the way properly, or protecting the most vulnerable spots, when a ball is meant to hit them, will give them confidence when heading home. His attitude will be “if necessary, I know how to dodge the field or make it hit me where it doesn’t hurt so much.” That confidence will translate to less worry, and soon, they might not think about it at all!
Fear is usually worse than the stinger!
This is a tough question, but help your players understand that the fear of being hit is often worse than the actual fact of being hit. The truth is, in a game, or even batting practice, adrenaline is usually quite high and adrenaline acts as a natural barrier against pain. Catching a fastball with your leg or hip, or even your back, usually doesn’t hurt as much, if at all. Help your players understand this. If you have a pitching machine, have the players stand on the plate with their gloves and catch the thrown balls. When they’re in catcher mode, waiting for the ball at the speed a teammate could throw at them while covering a bag, their perspective changes. They may just realize that “this ball doesn’t come that fast! It doesn’t hurt my hand when I catch it … it probably wouldn’t hurt me if it hit me.” When that understanding occurs, the problem of fear often disappears.
Train through fear and never make fun of them!
NEVER look down on players for their fears. This will only encourage them to quit smoking or act even more out of fear. When a player is hit by a pitch in batting practice or in a game, make sure they are not injured and then give them huge praise if they don’t melt into a puddle. Let them hear “attack girl” and “that’s my man” when they take it off. This will strengthen your resolve in the future and help the rest of the team realize that it is not as bad as they fear. “Way to grab one for the team!” it will increase pride and stamina, and could even produce the attitude that being hit on the field is a badge of honor and toughness.
Building confidence in practice pays off when it counts most!
Build confidence during batting drills and batting practice. Confidence is the key to overcoming the fear of being hit by a pitch. Increase your players’ confidence in your shots through drills and verbal encouragement, and they’ll go to the plate with success on their minds, looking to get to base or push back runners already there. The fear of being hit by the pitch will fade as your desire to hit it hard grows.
