Advice for my Friend

quote:

Originally posted by SHBASEBALL:
This is my friend hitting Bp. He wasnt trying to kill the ball, just get contact and practice mechanics. Thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbGkwsDa7yY

His lower half looks ok, balance is fine there. The part of his swing that needs the most work is how his hands move through the zone. He's got a bit of bat drag going on. It's not helping him stay through the hitting zone very well. Here are a couple clips I've found on this site that will help explain extension.

Gonzalez Chalk Talk

Tony Gwynn Swing The Knob

In the clip of your friend, he's cutting across the zone and as a result, not finishing very well.

At stride toe touch, he's already flattened the bat horizontally behind him. Have him try to keep the bat more vertical or at least at 45 degrees into toe touch and see what happens.

Agree with Sandman re the bat angle.

Also, your knees are pointing in different directions, which may be causing some hip drift.

Also, your back elbow should stay at an "L" slot at your hip as long as possible. You are pushing your arms toward the pitcher.

I always start with the head. You'll never even get to the rest of the flaws unless you see the ball. If you look closely at the head, he never sees the last 20 feet of ball travel because he is looking out, not down. We have all heard someone yell "keep your eye on the ball", but with older kids, the ball moves and unless you track the ball all the way to the plate, you are just guessing where it is going to be when it crosses the plate. Fix that first and then follow Nate and Sandman's suggestions.

Thanks everyone. You guys pointed out the bat angle and I think that's why he's hitting so many ground balls. Also does it look like his weight is to far forward at the end of the swing??

quote:

Originally posted by Nate Barnett:

quote:

Originally posted by SHBASEBALL:
This is my friend hitting Bp. He wasnt trying to kill the ball, just get contact and practice mechanics. Thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbGkwsDa7yY

His lower half looks ok, balance is fine there. The part of his swing that needs the most work is how his hands move through the zone. He's got a bit of bat drag going on. It's not helping him stay through the hitting zone very well. Here are a couple clips I've found on this site that will help explain extension.

Gonzalez Chalk Talk

Tony Gwynn Swing The Knob

In the clip of your friend, he's cutting across the zone and as a result, not finishing very well.

Yes, two great videos. Simple and to the point.

Lefty...