By: Ron Bing, Puritas League, Cleveland, Ohio
I like to use visualization with my players, and it really helps them to "see" good vs. bad technique. Jack Nickalus says he visualizes prior to every swing he takes, his ball going exactly where it is suppose to go. Downhill skiers can be seen prior to their race moving their body as if they are actually going down hill, and doing it with their eyes closed. When a player can really feel his body doing something correctly, and incorrectly, he is more likely to do it the right way.
Date: July 02, 1998 at 15:09
It can be used on very simple things, as well more complicated problems.
For instance:
The batter keeps stepping in the bucket when he swings, but he insists he isn't. Have him close his eyes and take several swings in a row, correctly stepping toward the pitcher. Tell him to "feel" how his body is moving. Now have him repeat this, again with his eyes closed, but have him bail out as he swings. Do this several times. The key to this is the player really has to work at feeling his body. Simply closing his eyes and taking some cuts won't do much.
A pitcher keeps dropping his elbow, with the result being his pitches are coming in too high. Use this technique, only now concentrate on throwing correctly, then incorrectly.
A batter takes a horrible swing during the game. Get him to call time, then, with his eyes closed, take several correct swings.
A batter keeps swinging at high pitches. Show him exactly what the strike zone for him consists of, then have him close his eyes and "see" pitches coming in that are within that zone.
I have runners close their eyes and practice a good crossover step.