Originally Posted by MidAtlanticDad:
I think the part of the myth that needs to be busted is that hitting down on the top half will generate backspin. It won't. Maybe that came from golf where you're pinching the ball against the turf to generate backspin.
I don't dismiss the "hit the top half" instruction entirely, because it might work to help refocus the hitting spot for a kid who's popping up a lot. You don't want them to literally hit the top half, but you do want them to hit the ball higher relative to their pop-up swing.
Agree with everything you said. Problem is there are still many, many coaches out there who literally believe in hitting the top half and swinging down to 'create' backspin and make the ball go up. And personally I am not a big fan of band aids. Let's cure the swing that is making the kid pop up. But I get what you are saying. Thanks.