Any comments on batter, I know his front heel comes up during the swing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIdfF9YWI8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MejEios03M
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Please let him Tip n' Rip with that bat! I hate the dead start swing that he uses. He gets the bat to the ball only because he's using aluminum (IMO at least). He would struggle with wood.
With that lower half. Have him coil first. Leave the hands back. Turn the barrel rearward BEFORE giving up that rear hip load. Use the arms, wrists, and hands, but feel it in the hands. You're turning the barrel into a sort of "swiveling" action. That's what you want to do.
With that lower half. Have him coil first. Leave the hands back. Turn the barrel rearward BEFORE giving up that rear hip load. Use the arms, wrists, and hands, but feel it in the hands. You're turning the barrel into a sort of "swiveling" action. That's what you want to do.
LAball,
I think there are certainly some basic mechanic adjustments that I and others can recommend. However, I would ask for a bit more background with this hitter. Is he taking lessons? What kind of success has he had against quality pitching? Is he comfortable with his hitting approach? What is the objective or direction with his current stance at set up? Is he a confident hitter or is he early in the learning stages?
The reason I ask these questions – In the short clip provided, I am looking at a hitter who is not aggressively attacking the ball and does not look comfortable in his stance. His body language and effort seem to show a lack of confidence and/or desire to attack and drive the baseball. That said, there is some good natural flow to some parts of his swing. So, before delving into mechanics or other suggestions, it would be helpful to have more background (for me anyway).
I think there are certainly some basic mechanic adjustments that I and others can recommend. However, I would ask for a bit more background with this hitter. Is he taking lessons? What kind of success has he had against quality pitching? Is he comfortable with his hitting approach? What is the objective or direction with his current stance at set up? Is he a confident hitter or is he early in the learning stages?
The reason I ask these questions – In the short clip provided, I am looking at a hitter who is not aggressively attacking the ball and does not look comfortable in his stance. His body language and effort seem to show a lack of confidence and/or desire to attack and drive the baseball. That said, there is some good natural flow to some parts of his swing. So, before delving into mechanics or other suggestions, it would be helpful to have more background (for me anyway).
He bats 3,4,5. Enough to make All stars in league. Does Fair+ against good pitcher. Just because fire isnt coming out of his eyes dont mean he's not concentrating.
My apologies, LA. I didn't mean to offend. Probably best that I respectfully bow out of this one.
No offence taken.
At least for me sometimes it is difficult to give constructive criticism for younger kids when you have been used to seeing HS and college players physically capable of doing the things they need to be doing. My son’s pitching instructor used to remind me of this even when my son was in HS. Some things just take physical development.
There are lots of things wrong with his swing, but I am not sure if he is physically capable fixing them all. There is a saying in pitching circles about “intent to throw hard” and my first impression looking at him is that there is a lack of ‘intent” to hit the ball. I don’t know but I might have tell him “I want you to hit the cra p out of the ball” and see what happens. Realistically he needs to work with someone who can help him as he grows through the stages he will be going through and someone both you and him trust.
Low finish has some good advice, but there is a lot more wrong with his swing. Just my 2 cents.
Good luck!
There are lots of things wrong with his swing, but I am not sure if he is physically capable fixing them all. There is a saying in pitching circles about “intent to throw hard” and my first impression looking at him is that there is a lack of ‘intent” to hit the ball. I don’t know but I might have tell him “I want you to hit the cra p out of the ball” and see what happens. Realistically he needs to work with someone who can help him as he grows through the stages he will be going through and someone both you and him trust.
Low finish has some good advice, but there is a lot more wrong with his swing. Just my 2 cents.
Good luck!
LAball,
What you have to like is seeing a 13y.o. kid working to get better! And, he hits from the left side so already he has a lot going for him. I miss my kid, at this age, hitting in our cage out back!
As BOF stated, there is always much to teach mechanically but not all of it should come now. What he needs now is stuff that will continue his success at this level while fueling his urge to learn.
He does appear to be dragging that Bat through the zone as if it's three sizes too big?? Both BOF and CabbageDad pointed that out also. Making an athletic movement quick and powerful begins with the mind set to do so. Driving a baseball requires explosive movement. In Tae Kwon Do classes we would teach kids to punch and kick QUICK! Only through speed could they generate enough power to break! Wasting time on mechanical movements without learning aggressive quickness, is unproductive.
I would begin working on that now. He must stay through the ball and attack it with the barrel EVERY time! You want everything hit off the tee or soft toss, to explode the entire length of that cage. Nothing to the right/pull side (he's opening up and pulling off way too soon) to ensure he sees it and stays through the baseball every single solitary time.
I, with mine, would utilize lighter bats and softer balls at times to encourage him to swing fast. I'd often end practice with some oranges that I would encourage him to obliterate, with his bat! That was great fun that he always looked forward to. The point; "I wanted someday for the ball to literally explode when he hit it." I would have him imagine he was a Samauri and was to cut through the ball with his sword. You can't be quick if you don't understand the importance of it in the generation of power. My kid plays Tennis, baseball and is a martial artist. You can't punch, kick, or hit a ball at a high level without controlled aggression!!
The equal part of this equation, at this stage, IMO; is to maintain an athletic posture throughout the process. Start balanced, end balanced. As his aggressive approach starts to be part of his swing then you can begin fine tuning the body movements to allow for more efficiency and then more speed! In the meantime, I would imagine his baseball success with continue and his hunger to get better will GROW! I envy the years you have ahead with him. Good luck.
What you have to like is seeing a 13y.o. kid working to get better! And, he hits from the left side so already he has a lot going for him. I miss my kid, at this age, hitting in our cage out back!
As BOF stated, there is always much to teach mechanically but not all of it should come now. What he needs now is stuff that will continue his success at this level while fueling his urge to learn.
He does appear to be dragging that Bat through the zone as if it's three sizes too big?? Both BOF and CabbageDad pointed that out also. Making an athletic movement quick and powerful begins with the mind set to do so. Driving a baseball requires explosive movement. In Tae Kwon Do classes we would teach kids to punch and kick QUICK! Only through speed could they generate enough power to break! Wasting time on mechanical movements without learning aggressive quickness, is unproductive.
I would begin working on that now. He must stay through the ball and attack it with the barrel EVERY time! You want everything hit off the tee or soft toss, to explode the entire length of that cage. Nothing to the right/pull side (he's opening up and pulling off way too soon) to ensure he sees it and stays through the baseball every single solitary time.
I, with mine, would utilize lighter bats and softer balls at times to encourage him to swing fast. I'd often end practice with some oranges that I would encourage him to obliterate, with his bat! That was great fun that he always looked forward to. The point; "I wanted someday for the ball to literally explode when he hit it." I would have him imagine he was a Samauri and was to cut through the ball with his sword. You can't be quick if you don't understand the importance of it in the generation of power. My kid plays Tennis, baseball and is a martial artist. You can't punch, kick, or hit a ball at a high level without controlled aggression!!
The equal part of this equation, at this stage, IMO; is to maintain an athletic posture throughout the process. Start balanced, end balanced. As his aggressive approach starts to be part of his swing then you can begin fine tuning the body movements to allow for more efficiency and then more speed! In the meantime, I would imagine his baseball success with continue and his hunger to get better will GROW! I envy the years you have ahead with him. Good luck.
Just a couple of quick thoughts
First the bat is too large for him at this point, choke up a little or go down in size..
This effects his balance, it seems he can't drive thru the ball without opening his hips too early because of the bat drag...
A slightly wider stance and athletic position, knees slightly bent, will help the balance issues..
The stride foot flares open rather than staying closed to the pitcher, too heavy of a bat seems to be playing a part here as well. All power is lost when the foot opens.
He has good eye hand coordination so he will become an even better hitter if he allows his body to stay balanced throughout his swing
First the bat is too large for him at this point, choke up a little or go down in size..
This effects his balance, it seems he can't drive thru the ball without opening his hips too early because of the bat drag...
A slightly wider stance and athletic position, knees slightly bent, will help the balance issues..
The stride foot flares open rather than staying closed to the pitcher, too heavy of a bat seems to be playing a part here as well. All power is lost when the foot opens.
He has good eye hand coordination so he will become an even better hitter if he allows his body to stay balanced throughout his swing
quote:Originally posted by Prime9:
LAball,
What you have to like is seeing a 13y.o. kid working to get better! And, he hits from the left side so already he has a lot going for him. I miss my kid, at this age, hitting in our cage out back!
As BOF stated, there is always much to teach mechanically but not all of it should come now. What he needs now is stuff that will continue his success at this level while fueling his urge to learn.
He does appear to be dragging that Bat through the zone as if it's three sizes too big?? Both BOF and CabbageDad pointed that out also. Making an athletic movement quick and powerful begins with the mind set to do so. Driving a baseball requires explosive movement. In Tae Kwon Do classes we would teach kids to punch and kick QUICK! Only through speed could they generate enough power to break! Wasting time on mechanical movements without learning aggressive quickness, is unproductive.
I would begin working on that now. He must stay through the ball and attack it with the barrel EVERY time! You want everything hit off the tee or soft toss, to explode the entire length of that cage. Nothing to the right/pull side (he's opening up and pulling off way too soon) to ensure he sees it and stays through the baseball every single solitary time.
I, with mine, would utilize lighter bats and softer balls at times to encourage him to swing fast. I'd often end practice with some oranges that I would encourage him to obliterate, with his bat! That was great fun that he always looked forward to. The point; "I wanted someday for the ball to literally explode when he hit it." I would have him imagine he was a Samauri and was to cut through the ball with his sword. You can't be quick if you don't understand the importance of it in the generation of power. My kid plays Tennis, baseball and is a martial artist. You can't punch, kick, or hit a ball at a high level without controlled aggression!!
The equal part of this equation, at this stage, IMO; is to maintain an athletic posture throughout the process. Start balanced, end balanced. As his aggressive approach starts to be part of his swing then you can begin fine tuning the body movements to allow for more efficiency and then more speed! In the meantime, I would imagine his baseball success with continue and his hunger to get better will GROW! I envy the years you have ahead with him. Good luck.
I want to try that orange idea now... seems like a lot of fun!
A lot of good advice given. I agree that he appears to not be aggressive enough. I would phrase it as a lazy swing, ie: just going thru the motions. Encourage him to let it loose and see how hard and fast he can hit.
A good little trick for the working on balance that Prime mentioned is;
After rotating the lower half(hips) all the way thru the swing, hold in the finished position, have him touch his left knee to the ground, bending at the knees only, then getting back up into his finished swing position
A good little trick for the working on balance that Prime mentioned is;
After rotating the lower half(hips) all the way thru the swing, hold in the finished position, have him touch his left knee to the ground, bending at the knees only, then getting back up into his finished swing position
You bring up a great point regarding BP lefthook. Practice does not make perfect it makes permanent! One of the things that most of us learn as we are helping our kids is that it is better to go out and break up BP than head out to the cage and hit 100 balls. You are much better off hitting 25 balls with authority and purpose.
There is a reason that there are hitting groups at the higher levels of baseball. You get your 5-10 balls and then get out of the cage and let the next guy in and get his focused swings. I do this with my son when I get the chance to take him to the cage. We will get in T work, soft toss, bunts, balls away, balls in/up/down, hard balls, soft balls, mixed, game simulations. All in groups of 5-10. Get him focused and hitting with a purpose and he will be better off. BTW I also hate machines.
There is a reason that there are hitting groups at the higher levels of baseball. You get your 5-10 balls and then get out of the cage and let the next guy in and get his focused swings. I do this with my son when I get the chance to take him to the cage. We will get in T work, soft toss, bunts, balls away, balls in/up/down, hard balls, soft balls, mixed, game simulations. All in groups of 5-10. Get him focused and hitting with a purpose and he will be better off. BTW I also hate machines.
LAball,
My son is about the same age as yours and sometimes i have to remind him to stop "swatting the ball" and hit the dam n thing. I may even try the orange trick that was previously mentioned
. My son tends to swing like yours when he is bored in the cage, screwing around, or tired. Usually the end of BP.
For what its worth, take a look at the explosive swing of the kid in the cage behind your son. (The first link you posted - wearing a blue shirt) He is hitting with a purpose.
My son is about the same age as yours and sometimes i have to remind him to stop "swatting the ball" and hit the dam n thing. I may even try the orange trick that was previously mentioned
. My son tends to swing like yours when he is bored in the cage, screwing around, or tired. Usually the end of BP. For what its worth, take a look at the explosive swing of the kid in the cage behind your son. (The first link you posted - wearing a blue shirt) He is hitting with a purpose.
Thanks for the replies. Please let me know if you guys have more stuff.
Can do but it's a two way street! I'd be interested to see if you utilize any of the suggestions you asked for? And then, any improvements seen?
If I were instructing him (just on a casual basis), I would tell him one thing. "The knees are married"
Put a ball (s o c c e r, basketball, whatever fits) between his legs (beneath the thighs but slightly above the knees). Tell him not to drop the ball until his follow through. He'll recruit pressure between the knees and allow adjustability to be so much better.
Here's a clip:
Put a ball (s o c c e r, basketball, whatever fits) between his legs (beneath the thighs but slightly above the knees). Tell him not to drop the ball until his follow through. He'll recruit pressure between the knees and allow adjustability to be so much better.
Here's a clip:
I really do appreciate everybody help here, though I may not always agree. But what I will do is take tid bits from all and digest it, regurgitate it, sit on the thrown with it; and use it. Interesting machine on the clip. I do like it, inventive.
IMHO, style of hitting varies from individual to individual and you can easily see that in MLB baseball. And while there's a lot of differences, what the good hitters have in common is their position within the hitting zone.
From the time my son was in LL, through travel ball and HS, I would video tape his swing and we'd review it together and do some more taping and reviewing during hitting practice. We'd slow-mo and freeze frame it to analyze what he was doing (or not doing). . .most particularly looking at his body and bat positions in the hitting zone. We would also compare this to what we were seeing by doing the same thing with video we had of MLB players. He's always been athletic and talented in his hand eye coordination for hitting the ball, but of course he has been and still is striving for "his" perfect swing. Looking at videos this way has, I strongly believe, helped him in more ways than I could have instructed. In fact, as he advance, it got to a point where I was having a hard time seeing things in real time (but then, I'm really an old faart). And the videotaping helped a lot to be able to see what's really going on and care it to hitter's that had a swing like he wanted to have.
That swing he wants to have looks a LOT like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S73gtjsVCZI
For even someone as young as 13yrs., it's not too young to look at these types of swings and visualize and try to imitate what they see.
From the time my son was in LL, through travel ball and HS, I would video tape his swing and we'd review it together and do some more taping and reviewing during hitting practice. We'd slow-mo and freeze frame it to analyze what he was doing (or not doing). . .most particularly looking at his body and bat positions in the hitting zone. We would also compare this to what we were seeing by doing the same thing with video we had of MLB players. He's always been athletic and talented in his hand eye coordination for hitting the ball, but of course he has been and still is striving for "his" perfect swing. Looking at videos this way has, I strongly believe, helped him in more ways than I could have instructed. In fact, as he advance, it got to a point where I was having a hard time seeing things in real time (but then, I'm really an old faart). And the videotaping helped a lot to be able to see what's really going on and care it to hitter's that had a swing like he wanted to have.
That swing he wants to have looks a LOT like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S73gtjsVCZI
For even someone as young as 13yrs., it's not too young to look at these types of swings and visualize and try to imitate what they see.
quote:Originally posted by Truman:
IMHO, style of hitting varies from individual to individual and you can easily see that in MLB baseball. And while there's a lot of differences, what the good hitters have in common is their position within the hitting zone.
From the time my son was in LL, through travel ball and HS, I would video tape his swing and we'd review it together and do some more taping and reviewing during hitting practice. We'd slow-mo and freeze frame it to analyze what he was doing (or not doing). . .most particularly looking at his body and bat positions in the hitting zone. We would also compare this to what we were seeing by doing the same thing with video we had of MLB players. He's always been athletic and talented in his hand eye coordination for hitting the ball, but of course he has been and still is striving for "his" perfect swing. Looking at videos this way has, I strongly believe, helped him in more ways than I could have instructed. In fact, as he advance, it got to a point where I was having a hard time seeing things in real time (but then, I'm really an old faart). And the videotaping helped a lot to be able to see what's really going on and care it to hitter's that had a swing like he wanted to have.
That swing he wants to have looks a LOT like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S73gtjsVCZI
For even someone as young as 13yrs., it's not too young to look at these types of swings and visualize and try to imitate what they see.
Have him look at that clip over and over and over.
Try to feel how his hands, wrists, and forearms are working in that swing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...SmM4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...OQU4&feature=related
I like these two better, they are game swings. I wouldn't emulate a HR derby swing - they all do weird stuff and the pitching isn't real.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...OQU4&feature=related
I like these two better, they are game swings. I wouldn't emulate a HR derby swing - they all do weird stuff and the pitching isn't real.
