Have you ever coached someone through a slump so tough that you had them bat from the other side to recalibrate?
During a 10U game yesterday, a player stepped in lefty for the first pitch, then switched to his natural right side.
At first, I truly couldn’t understand the decision. He was going up against a right-handed pitcher, so no real advantage gained with the switch, right?
But maybe that’s not the point.
Stepping in from your off-side forces presence. There’s no autopilot. You have to feel every detail of your stance, your load, your hands. That kind of forced attention could be exactly what a slumping hitter needs.
Many gurus in the neuroscience-based wellness spaces will say that brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand is a great way to be more present and to break routine patterns to be at your best.
The mechanism is the same whether it’s a toothbrush or a bat. Novelty demands attention. Routine can sometimes allow the mind to drift.
So, what if starting off on the non-dominant side of the plate helps him to get present? To see the ball more clearly once he is on his natural side?
Then I started wondering if this is worth experimenting with. Even if not in the at-bat, but maybe in the on-deck circle, just starting out the routine from the opposite side to stay embodied instead of zoning out before getting up to the plate. Maybe there is something more here.
What do you think? I would love to know if there is any research about this. I don’t have time to dig into it, but if you link it, I’ll read everything you take the time to share.
Try switch-tooth-brushing before your next big moment, you will get a good laugh at yourself at the least, and at most, maybe have a boost to your impact that day.
