Dropping of hands

Question
MR. Leicester,

Hello.  My son, who is 11 and is playing his first year of travel ball.  He has developed what I feel is a bad habit of dropping the hands as he is loading up.  His hands start up high and drop 6-8 inches and move forward from that point.  He is still hitting the ball hard, but everything I have been taught or read states "drive through", not down and then through.  When hitting off of the tee or soft toss, there are not dropping of the hands.  What are your thoughts and if you feel this is taking away from the swing, what drills can we do to correct this?  Thanks, Darrell  

Answer
Darrell-
this problem should alarm you. Its a swing flaw that could become muscle memory very quickly. If he's only 11 then he has probably developed this swing "hitch" because the pitching speed might be a little slow.
When he starts to face better and stronger pitchers he will find himself "late" on a lot of fast balls.
As far as drills, I would suggest trying to hit in batting cages that are little faster than he can handle. (use your best judgment so as to not get him hurt) When he starts to see faster pitching he will have to make some adjustments naturally. if that not the case, have him start with his hands where ever he feels most comfortable.
Trying to fix problems in swing and pitching mechanics can be frustrating because kids don't quite have the muscle control to make the adjustments. Keep an eye on it, but as long as he his successful let him go with it. Nothing can replace the confidence young players have when they are successful.
-Jon