Analyze Swing Please

Not bad. How many HRs did you hit last season?

Backside is collapsing.

powertoallfields,

Thanks for the question, I guess. I only hit one, but our home field has a 100 foot fence all around, and I've hit that halfway up, and that goes out in all fields. So realistically, I hit 2, but what number were you expecting?

JMW37,

Could you explain what that does to my swing?

Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Catch43:
powertoallfields,

Thanks for the question, I guess. I only hit one, but our home field has a 100 foot fence all around, and I've hit that halfway up, and that goes out in all fields. So realistically, I hit 2, but what number were you expecting?

JMW37,

Could you explain what that does to my swing?

Thanks.

Actually, it's the number I expected. As big as you are I would think you could hit between 15 and 20. Your swing, IMO, is too flat and your back hip doesn't get turned far enough before contact. You have good batspeed, but I think there is still more there. You are just a little out of sync. If you will start with your bat more verticle and tip the bathead just slightly at ball release, I believe it will get you where you need to be. The bathead should go towards the Catcher first, use the fingers of your top hand to pull the bat head back like a bow shooting an arrow.

I really don't get what you mean. What do you mean my swing is too flat?

quote:

Originally posted by Catch43:
I really don't get what you mean. What do you mean my swing is too flat?

Your swing travels parallel to the ground, it should be on a slight upswing. Once you reach full extension out in front, your hands should be close to shoulder height. Work your front elbow up and away and you will be driving the ball out of the park on a regular basis when you make solid contact.

I hear that. Thanks for everything. Also, could you provide a picture of how you want the bat at ball release? I'm not sure I understand that either. Thanks.

Note that the above bat positions are in front of the head as well as tipped toward the playing field. I prefer tipping more toward 3b or SS for a lefty and 1b or 2b for a righty, but toward the Pitcher works too if that's more comfortable.

Here is a good clip to see the action.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WAjIO0_JTI

powertoallfields,

Thanks for the advice. It'll be tough to get that stuff down as the season is beginning, but are there any drills you have that will help me develop that?

Other than emulating the video, all I can tell you is turn both thumbs down at ball release. If you've ever done any pitching, you know that at hand breakthe first thing you do is turn your thumbs down as you separate. Be aware of what your elbows do during this process. If you've never pitched before, as someone who is a Pitcher or ask your pitching Coach.

Hey! I have that Bonds sequence hanging here at my desk the past few years (when I created it).

It's a nice one to just stare at now and then.

quote:

Originally posted by Sandman:
Hey! I have that Bonds sequence hanging here at my desk the past few years (when I created it).

It's a nice one to just stare at now and then.

Thanks for the creation! It's been a great teaching tool!

YW. I actually took screen shots from the Tony Gwynn analysis of Bonds.

quote:

Originally posted by Catch43:

JMW37,

Could you explain what that does to my swing?

Thanks.

It leads to an uppercut and it leads to not being able to get full rotation of your hips.

One thing I noticed was that the hands drop staight down,then the swing starts forward. Think about taking the knob of the bat to the ball.

quote:

Originally posted by lodi14:
One thing I noticed was that the hands drop staight down,then the swing starts forward. Think about taking the knob of the bat to the ball.

C43
You are a bigger guy with a good sized strike zone. Don't help the pitchers. Maybe a better set-up is a good place to start. Get into more of an athletic stance with the knees bent and lean in a little closer to your "work". Move away from the plate if you have to, but GET MORE READY! Watch Barry as he loads. He sure isn't standing tall. This should help give you a base to work on your swingplane, too.
I also see the a tiny bit of bat drag on a few swings at launch. It's hard to tell with the You-Tube video. Easy stuff. Good luck!

You have a lot of good stuff going on there.

It appears that you are opening your front hip rather than moving it to the ball.

This causes your rear leg to dip and you make contact further forward than is optimal.

I'm sure that you feel the mobility in the grip you are using and you have confidence that you can get the bat around on almost any pitcher.

Try to lean your front hip to the ball as you start your swing. You will find that you are making contact just slightly deeper and the bat will be in the zone just a tad earlier. You'll see a difference in the flight of the ball soon after.

Regarding my hands, I never perceived them as a problem, but look at what I found watching Jose Lopez, playing for Venezuela (currently on Seattle).

http://seattle.mariners.mlb.co...?mid=200809243543013

At the end of the clip it shows from the side. He does what I do. I know you might think its because of a low pitch, but you can watch all of his swings, thats what he does- I only chose this link because I wanted to show everyone from the side view. Thoughts?

Catch,

I think what Quincy has picked up on is your hips opening on the front side or 'spinning' instead of rotating. You have little early rotation causing your hips to try and catch up to your shoulders late in the swing robbing you of some power. I reference Lopez's swing as he starts into footplant. It's hard to see but if you stop/start the video you will see his rear hip starting to turn just as he is starting to drop his front heel. Notice I said, 'as he is starting to drop his heel', not 'after he drops his heel'. This is a very subtle move, but it is the key to getting the rotation going and not disconnecting your hips from the swing.
You seem to turn all in one move and never get the timing/sequencing (I hate the word 'seperatation' because it's a flow, not a stop and start action).
By the way, did you notice anything about Lopez's stance compared to yours? Leaning/tilting in a little bit will help the swingplane and eliminate an all arms swing. Your swing is a little flat and you tend to cast (reaching) your arms out to the ball on some swings trying to adjust for a bad setup.
Take it or leave it, jmo. Hope it helps.