Stop Flinching at Pitches: Hitting Drills That Work

Is Fear of the Ball Holding Your Hitter Back? How to Rewire Fear into Focus—Fast

Does your young hitter freeze at the plate? Flinch on inside pitches? Perform like a slugger in practice—then crumble on game day?

You’re not alone. And no, it’s not a “toughness” issue.

In this powerful episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast, I (Joey Myers) break down one of the most common and misunderstood challenges in youth baseball and softball: fear of getting hit by the ball. Backed by sports psychology, motor learning science, and real-world drills used by elite coaches, I’ll show you how to transform fear into confidence—step by step.

Key Takeaways: Rewiring Fear at the Plate

1. Fear Isn’t Failure—It’s Data

“Fear is just information. It tells you what matters to you.” – Dr. Bhrett McCabe

Fear signals your hitter cares. Instead of suppressing it, teach them how to respond with confidence.

2. Forget “Toughen Up”—Here’s What Actually Works

✅ Most hitters haven’t been hit by a pitch. Their brain is reacting to what might happen—not what has.

✅ Bracing for impact alters mechanics—flinching hitters can’t stay on time or maintain posture.

3. Confidence Is Built, Not Demanded

We introduce a Progressive Exposure Plan to teach safety and timing:

Wiffle Ball Toss: Rewire mechanics without fear
Foam Balls: Add realism, keep risk low
Tennis Balls: Improve timing with confidence
Live Pitch: Graduated reps, no guesswork

4. Hard Focus, Soft Focus Drill

Train vision like the pros:

Soft Focus: Relax and scan
Hard Focus: Lock in on release point

This retrains the eyes and brain to respond with composure, not panic.

5. Try the Glove Arm Block Drill

Build emotional and physical resilience. Start with glove in lead hand and tennis balls aimed inside. Key cues:

“Glove stays calm. Eyes stay locked. Body stays grounded.”

This builds control where fear used to live.

Real Results: Meet Lucas

Lucas struggled for 2 years with fear after being hit. Two weeks after using our progressive training system, he was turning on inside pitches with confidence.

This is what rewiring fear looks like.

✅ Want These Drills Pre-Built For You?

Everything covered in this episode is already built into the Swing Shift daily program. Just press play, 5 minutes a day.

🎯 Mechanics + Mindset + Game Day Prep

🎯 Progressive reps that grow with your athlete

🎯 Confidence delivered in bite-sized episodes

👉 Get Started Now

🔥 Want to Use AI to Build Even Better Practice Plans?

Check out our AI Course for Youth Sports Coaches and Parents. Learn to use AI tools to tailor drills, track performance, and reduce stress on your athlete—while improving results.

🎁 Use code AICOURSEPODCAST for $20 OFF:

👉 hittingperformancelab.com/AICourse

🎧 Listen to the Full Episode Here

If this episode helped you rethink your hitter’s fear at the plate, subscribe and share with another parent or coach. Let’s raise a generation of confident, focused, fearless hitters—together.

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Joey Myers

Author at Hitting Performance Lab

Welcome to HittingPerformanceLab.com, where passion meets expertise. As the founder and author, I've crafted over 400 captivating blog posts and authored the Amazon bestselling book "Catapult Loading System," guiding small hitters to drive the ball consistently over 300 feet.

With 28,000+ online bat speed program sales, my methods have transformed coaches, instructors, and parents just like you. I'm affiliated with esteemed organizations like ABCA, IYCA, and SABR, advocating for positive coaching. With 15+ years in corrective fitness and a Division One baseball background, my knowledge is unmatched.

Join our blog and unlock the secrets to successful hitting, elevate your performance, and ignite your passion. Welcome to the world of limitless possibilities at HittingPerformanceLab.com.