Invest in the Zone Net
This is one of the best investments you can make for your daughter! Mom & Dad we love you, but at a certain age it's time to give the responsibility to the kids to make the decision of practicing or not. When I was 11 years old, my parents set up a tire & that dreaded blue jugs net in the backyard, and made it very clear that if I wanted it bad enough, I'll practice. In other words I had to prove it not only to them, but to myself whether I wanted to truly be a pitcher. Realistically, after bruised shins, blown off toenails, and a puffy hand my parents were over the abuse and couldn't catch anymore. For me it was time to get to work & become the next Lisa Fernandez!
When your girls are first starting out, it's smart to help them with mechanics and let them know ever so often when something doesn't look quite right. Mechanics first, speed second. With proper mechanics you will gain consistency and proper body feel. When we are first starting out, we do need help in figuring out why it didn't feel quite right & why the ball is veering, but the ultimate goal is to just have fun! Remember too, how we speak to our kids is key, don't tell them what they can't do, but reinforce the positives of what they did right & how they can make the pitch better.
Also, when they get to that age where it's too difficult to catch them (for me it was 11), it actually makes it harder for us to see what a real strike is and what I like to call the mom & dad strike :) We all know you love us, but sometimes we need a reality check, which stinks at the time, yet helpful for the future. Not to mention every kid I know just wants to impress you and win your approval, so this can also make it tough if you're an approval addict like I was!
No later than 11 or 12, should we be able to hit our spots consistently on the corners, but that doesn't mean with bad mechanics. If our mechanics are not yet sound don't move to fast to the next step. Make it fun and rewarding, instead of task related and boring.
The Zone, is one of the more basic nets, but for the price it is worth every penny. I definitely got my use out of it, especially because where I was there weren't many catchers to come by... So this net was my best friend for many years. The next investment would be a bucket of balls with electrical tape around the core (to improve on spins), so you're not chasing down a single ball every time. This is a small price for a bright future & remember there's always a positive from any situation.
Never use these type of learning lessons as bait for failure or punishment... This will surely burn your kid out early. Each one of us is different, thank goodness, so get to know what motivates and what she is really passionate about. This will make softball a happy time, rather than a burden, because the ultimate goal is that your daughter wants to play, not vice versa.
Thank you again for being awesome parents & giving your daughters the opportunity to play ball, your love & support is truly special.
Hope this helps! Keep Calm & Pitch On.
http://www.softballpitchingtools.com/pi_zone_in.htm