Okay here goes. Son is currently 14 and will be going to HS in a year. I would like to spend this year tightening up his swing. All criticisms and advice welcome. Thanks for looking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIK1EFTV2xY
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At first glance, I see alot of arms and hands, not much rotation.
Freeze frame right before contact and you will see that the left leg is not yet straight.
The left leg provides the plant for the rotation, which can provide the power and bat speed.
The movement back with the hands and arms is somewhat counter-productive. I'd tell him to keep the hands quieter and use the lower half to provide the impetus.
My Son had the exact same issues. He was very "handsy", but got away with it until he started seeing 80+ pitching.
Read this on rotational hitting:
http://www.chrisoleary.com/pro...tationalHitting.html
Freeze frame right before contact and you will see that the left leg is not yet straight.
The left leg provides the plant for the rotation, which can provide the power and bat speed.
The movement back with the hands and arms is somewhat counter-productive. I'd tell him to keep the hands quieter and use the lower half to provide the impetus.
My Son had the exact same issues. He was very "handsy", but got away with it until he started seeing 80+ pitching.
Read this on rotational hitting:
http://www.chrisoleary.com/pro...tationalHitting.html
I agree with every thing gitnby said. He might be able to be a good single hitter, with a high average with that swing, but I doubt if he can generate the bat speed he will need at the next level without more body rotation.
Yes, I noticed the left leg in some swings are not always totally stiff and he is a little handsy. The funny thing is that he hits with considerable power and can handle the fastball without too much difficulty. I also agree he can use his hips and rotate better. Thanks
quote:Originally posted by gitnby:
At first glance, I see a lot of arms and hands, not much rotation.
Arms are bad. Hands are good. I agree with you, but I feel as though we need to emphasize that use of the HANDS with proper rotation is good. But use of the arms is ALWAYS bad.
quote:Originally posted by Low Finish:quote:Originally posted by gitnby:
At first glance, I see a lot of arms and hands, not much rotation.
Arms are bad. Hands are good. I agree with you, but I feel as though we need to emphasize that use of the HANDS with proper rotation is good. But use of the arms is ALWAYS bad.
When you say Arms are bad I am assuming he swings too much with his arms and not enough hip rotation. I agree with that assessment. If that is the case, there is a huge upside to his bat speed. I have been told by a couple of hitting instructors and other coaches that he has great bat speed. We will work on better rotation and see where it goes.
Thanks
quote:Originally posted by standballdad:quote:Originally posted by Low Finish:quote:Originally posted by gitnby:
At first glance, I see a lot of arms and hands, not much rotation.
Arms are bad. Hands are good. I agree with you, but I feel as though we need to emphasize that use of the HANDS with proper rotation is good. But use of the arms is ALWAYS bad.
When you say Arms are bad I am assuming he swings too much with his arms and not enough hip rotation. I agree with that assessment. If that is the case, there is a huge upside to his bat speed. I have been told by a couple of hitting instructors and other coaches that he has great bat speed. We will work on better rotation and see where it goes.
Thanks
I would not be surprised if he had good bat speed. However, what weight bat is he using?
Also, he is lunging. The back leg shouldn't do what it does in your son's swing. He should "coil" into the rear hip and then let the swing shift the weight.
Shift AND swing vs. shift THEN swing
quote:Originally posted by Low Finish:quote:Originally posted by standballdad:quote:Originally posted by Low Finish:quote:Originally posted by gitnby:
At first glance, I see a lot of arms and hands, not much rotation.
Arms are bad. Hands are good. I agree with you, but I feel as though we need to emphasize that use of the HANDS with proper rotation is good. But use of the arms is ALWAYS bad.
When you say Arms are bad I am assuming he swings too much with his arms and not enough hip rotation. I agree with that assessment. If that is the case, there is a huge upside to his bat speed. I have been told by a couple of hitting instructors and other coaches that he has great bat speed. We will work on better rotation and see where it goes.
Thanks
I would not be surprised if he had good bat speed. However, what weight bat is he using?
Also, he is lunging. The back leg shouldn't do what it does in your son's swing. He should "coil" into the rear hip and then let the swing shift the weight.
Shift AND swing vs. shift THEN swing
Swinging 32/29 drop 3 Anderson BBCOR. Agree has a slight lunge will work on back leg.
Dad;
Do you watch the Yankees or Rays Scout teams play in Southern California?
You son has a "stiff" approach to the ball. Watch his 2nd stage in his swing.
He is pulling the bat back to his trigger position. Against faster pitching he cannot catch up.
His stance maybe too wide and reduces a "loose" approach.
Needs a "hitting" music in practice.
Bob
"Founder of the Area Code" games
Do you watch the Yankees or Rays Scout teams play in Southern California?
You son has a "stiff" approach to the ball. Watch his 2nd stage in his swing.
He is pulling the bat back to his trigger position. Against faster pitching he cannot catch up.
His stance maybe too wide and reduces a "loose" approach.
Needs a "hitting" music in practice.
Bob
"Founder of the Area Code" games
quote:Originally posted by Bob Williams:
Dad;
Do you watch the Yankees or Rays Scout teams play in Southern California?
You son has a "stiff" approach to the ball. Watch his 2nd stage in his swing.
He is pulling the bat back to his trigger position. Against faster pitching he cannot catch up.
His stance maybe too wide and reduces a "loose" approach.
Needs a "hitting" music in practice.
Bob
"Founder of the Area Code" games
Thanks Bob, so maybe shorter load and bring in stance some?
Dad;
yes, the minor league pro coaches and Dante Bichette
in Australia last year gave the best hitting demo for 5 hours to our 65 players and 100 Aussies.
Set up w/the bat slightly off the right shoulder with no movement back, maybe slight movement up [for back spin].
When you commit to going forward, swing hard, keep your eyes on the ball. Many years ago Delmon Young and his father were in the cage in Camarillo and he had his cell phone on and I am 400 miles north and giving hitting advice on the phone during BP.
Work the plate "up, back and off" depending on the pitcher.
Stay out of the same "holes" dug by other RH hitters.
For this reasons, the game teaches, BP is a classroom for "trail and error".
My son Robert was Eric Davis from the right side and Darrel
Strawberry from the left side.
Bob
Bob
yes, the minor league pro coaches and Dante Bichette
in Australia last year gave the best hitting demo for 5 hours to our 65 players and 100 Aussies.
Set up w/the bat slightly off the right shoulder with no movement back, maybe slight movement up [for back spin].
When you commit to going forward, swing hard, keep your eyes on the ball. Many years ago Delmon Young and his father were in the cage in Camarillo and he had his cell phone on and I am 400 miles north and giving hitting advice on the phone during BP.
Work the plate "up, back and off" depending on the pitcher.
Stay out of the same "holes" dug by other RH hitters.
For this reasons, the game teaches, BP is a classroom for "trail and error".
My son Robert was Eric Davis from the right side and Darrel
Strawberry from the left side.
Bob
Bob
quote:Originally posted by Bob Williams:
Dad;
yes, the minor league pro coaches and Dante Bichette
in Australia last year gave the best hitting demo for 5 hours to our 65 players and 100 Aussies.
Set up w/the bat slightly off the right shoulder with no movement back, maybe slight movement up [for back spin].
When you commit to going forward, swing hard, keep your eyes on the ball. Many years ago Delmon Young and his father were in the cage in Camarillo and he had his cell phone on and I am 400 miles north and giving hitting advice on the phone during BP.
Work the plate "up, back and off" depending on the pitcher.
Stay out of the same "holes" dug by other RH hitters.
For this reasons, the game teaches, BP is a classroom for "trail and error".
My son Robert was Eric Davis from the right side and Darrel
Strawberry from the left side.
Bob
Bob
Set up w/the bat slightly off the right shoulder with no movement back, maybe slight movement up [for back spin].
This is one of the things we have been working on, exactly what you stated here, and the goal is better backspin.
DAD;
do you use a "high tee"?
Place a tee on a water bucket so the top of the tee is chest level.
This will help to elevate the hand upward slightly before impact with the ball.
Bob
e-mail <rwilliams@goodwillseries.org>
do you use a "high tee"?
Place a tee on a water bucket so the top of the tee is chest level.
This will help to elevate the hand upward slightly before impact with the ball.
Bob
e-mail <rwilliams@goodwillseries.org>
quote:Originally posted by Bob Williams:
DAD;
do you use a "high tee"?
Place a tee on a water bucket so the top of the tee is chest level.
This will help to elevate the hand upward slightly before impact with the ball.
Bob
e-mail <rwilliams@goodwillseries.org>
We have done high tee work in the cage. Thanks
Two things... The comments on his lower half are a bit off. The comments on the load with his hands are a bit off as well.
Make sure he has his weight more towards the "balls" of his feet vs. his heels. This will allow his lower half to work in a more connected way with his upper half. Load the weight back then bring the entire back side (back knee, back elbow, back hip, etc.) through together.
He should also stay away from straightening up off his legs through the swing. He should finish much lower on his legs (flexed) than he does. The front leg should firm up for only a split second just before contact, but then it relaxes and flexes after contact.
His load with his hands can improve by simply getting more load with his rear arm and elbow. His rear elbow should rise to about the height of his hands during his load. (Much the same as he does when he loads to throw a baseball. I'm sure he doesn't leave his back elbow down as he throws a ball.)
So he shouldn't really be loading his hands back but he should be loading his entire rear arm and elbow to get into position to "throw" the barrel with his top hand.
Make sure he has his weight more towards the "balls" of his feet vs. his heels. This will allow his lower half to work in a more connected way with his upper half. Load the weight back then bring the entire back side (back knee, back elbow, back hip, etc.) through together.
He should also stay away from straightening up off his legs through the swing. He should finish much lower on his legs (flexed) than he does. The front leg should firm up for only a split second just before contact, but then it relaxes and flexes after contact.
His load with his hands can improve by simply getting more load with his rear arm and elbow. His rear elbow should rise to about the height of his hands during his load. (Much the same as he does when he loads to throw a baseball. I'm sure he doesn't leave his back elbow down as he throws a ball.)
So he shouldn't really be loading his hands back but he should be loading his entire rear arm and elbow to get into position to "throw" the barrel with his top hand.
Here is a video of Bryce Harper's load with his rear arm and rear elbow. He "throws" it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...MjUM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...MjUM&feature=related
quote:Originally posted by Jimmy33:
Here is a video of Bryce Harper's load with his rear arm and rear elbow. He "throws" it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...MjUM&feature=related
Thanks, can see what you are describing as throwing the bat.
quote:Originally posted by Jimmy33:
Two things... The comments on his lower half are a bit off. The comments on the load with his hands are a bit off as well.
Make sure he has his weight more towards the "balls" of his feet vs. his heels. This will allow his lower half to work in a more connected way with his upper half. Load the weight back then bring the entire back side (back knee, back elbow, back hip, etc.) through together.
He should also stay away from straightening up off his legs through the swing. He should finish much lower on his legs (flexed) than he does. The front leg should firm up for only a split second just before contact, but then it relaxes and flexes after contact.
His load with his hands can improve by simply getting more load with his rear arm and elbow. His rear elbow should rise to about the height of his hands during his load. (Much the same as he does when he loads to throw a baseball. I'm sure he doesn't leave his back elbow down as he throws a ball.)
So he shouldn't really be loading his hands back but he should be loading his entire rear arm and elbow to get into position to "throw" the barrel with his top hand.
Good advice, but be careful with the "throw the hands" and the "loading his entire rear arm and elbow" thing, especially with younger players who have not fully developed.
They can have a tendency to "rare up" with the elbow and lose the connection.
Just watch him and make sure that back elbow doesn't get wild. Seen it happen with my Son and others.
As I mentioned on another thread, a really good drill is to do the half or check swing with emphasis on just the lower half. Once they get comfortable with that and "feel" the rotation, they sometimes will automatically do the right thing with the rest. Don't know exactly why it works, but have seen it do wonders.
quote:Originally posted by gitnby:quote:Originally posted by Jimmy33:
Two things... The comments on his lower half are a bit off. The comments on the load with his hands are a bit off as well.
Make sure he has his weight more towards the "balls" of his feet vs. his heels. This will allow his lower half to work in a more connected way with his upper half. Load the weight back then bring the entire back side (back knee, back elbow, back hip, etc.) through together.
He should also stay away from straightening up off his legs through the swing. He should finish much lower on his legs (flexed) than he does. The front leg should firm up for only a split second just before contact, but then it relaxes and flexes after contact.
His load with his hands can improve by simply getting more load with his rear arm and elbow. His rear elbow should rise to about the height of his hands during his load. (Much the same as he does when he loads to throw a baseball. I'm sure he doesn't leave his back elbow down as he throws a ball.)
So he shouldn't really be loading his hands back but he should be loading his entire rear arm and elbow to get into position to "throw" the barrel with his top hand.
Good advice, but be careful with the "throw the hands" and the "loading his entire rear arm and elbow" thing, especially with younger players who have not fully developed.
They can have a tendency to "rare up" with the elbow and lose the connection.
Just watch him and make sure that back elbow doesn't get wild. Seen it happen with my Son and others.
As I mentioned on another thread, a really good drill is to do the half or check swing with emphasis on just the lower half. Once they get comfortable with that and "feel" the rotation, they sometimes will automatically do the right thing with the rest. Don't know exactly why it works, but have seen it do wonders.
I am not a "throw the hands" advocate. I actually think that that statement to hitters can slow their bat down.
My comment was to "throw the barrel" not his hands... Very different concepts.
quote:Originally posted by Jimmy33:quote:Originally posted by gitnby:quote:Originally posted by Jimmy33:
Two things... The comments on his lower half are a bit off. The comments on the load with his hands are a bit off as well.
Make sure he has his weight more towards the "balls" of his feet vs. his heels. This will allow his lower half to work in a more connected way with his upper half. Load the weight back then bring the entire back side (back knee, back elbow, back hip, etc.) through together.
He should also stay away from straightening up off his legs through the swing. He should finish much lower on his legs (flexed) than he does. The front leg should firm up for only a split second just before contact, but then it relaxes and flexes after contact.
His load with his hands can improve by simply getting more load with his rear arm and elbow. His rear elbow should rise to about the height of his hands during his load. (Much the same as he does when he loads to throw a baseball. I'm sure he doesn't leave his back elbow down as he throws a ball.)
So he shouldn't really be loading his hands back but he should be loading his entire rear arm and elbow to get into position to "throw" the barrel with his top hand.
Good advice, but be careful with the "throw the hands" and the "loading his entire rear arm and elbow" thing, especially with younger players who have not fully developed.
They can have a tendency to "rare up" with the elbow and lose the connection.
Just watch him and make sure that back elbow doesn't get wild. Seen it happen with my Son and others.
As I mentioned on another thread, a really good drill is to do the half or check swing with emphasis on just the lower half. Once they get comfortable with that and "feel" the rotation, they sometimes will automatically do the right thing with the rest. Don't know exactly why it works, but have seen it do wonders.
I am not a "throw the hands" advocate. I actually think that that statement to hitters can slow their bat down.
My comment was to "throw the barrel" not his hands... Very different concepts.
Jimmy33, I understood what you meant and the difference. Something my son and I will discuss.
Thanks
I like his swing and where he is at for his age.
I would center any and all adjustments or tweaks to his mechanics around being in the correct sequence. Which means starting with his hips coiling.
The focus should be the hips and rear leg and not the lead side and front leg.
What the lead leg does should be a result of what the rear leg and hips make the lead leg do.
Again, I like his current swing. Its in a perfect place for advancement. Place your focus on him coiling correctly and stretching correctly within correctly coiling.
I would center any and all adjustments or tweaks to his mechanics around being in the correct sequence. Which means starting with his hips coiling.
The focus should be the hips and rear leg and not the lead side and front leg.
What the lead leg does should be a result of what the rear leg and hips make the lead leg do.
Again, I like his current swing. Its in a perfect place for advancement. Place your focus on him coiling correctly and stretching correctly within correctly coiling.
quote:Originally posted by swingbuilder:
I like his swing and where he is at for his age.
I would center any and all adjustments or tweaks to his mechanics around being in the correct sequence. Which means starting with his hips coiling.
The focus should be the hips and rear leg and not the lead side and front leg.
What the lead leg does should be a result of what the rear leg and hips make the lead leg do.
Again, I like his current swing. Its in a perfect place for advancement. Place your focus on him coiling correctly and stretching correctly within correctly coiling.
Thanks for the feedback, understand what you are saying and will work on sequence starting with hips
Finally had time to download my sons swing from a game since the previous was just cage work. Comments?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...0657&feature=mh_lolz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...0657&feature=mh_lolz
I like his swing a lot, looks like a very good hitter. I would guess that he does very well.
What would you say are his biggest weaknesses, if any? Off speed? Higher velocity? Chasing pitches? Pitch recognition? Strike zone coverage? Does he swing and miss much?
I can't tell for sure looking at it from that camera angle, but he looks pretty straight up and down. He might try a bit more bend in knees with rear end down a bit and chest over balls of feet. I wouldn't over do any of that, but for most it's a more athletic position to start from and get your best swing from.
Anyway, he looks like he has talent. I'd be interested in knowing who he is if you want to PM.
What would you say are his biggest weaknesses, if any? Off speed? Higher velocity? Chasing pitches? Pitch recognition? Strike zone coverage? Does he swing and miss much?
I can't tell for sure looking at it from that camera angle, but he looks pretty straight up and down. He might try a bit more bend in knees with rear end down a bit and chest over balls of feet. I wouldn't over do any of that, but for most it's a more athletic position to start from and get your best swing from.
Anyway, he looks like he has talent. I'd be interested in knowing who he is if you want to PM.
quote:Originally posted by PGStaff:
I like his swing a lot, looks like a very good hitter. I would guess that he does very well.
What would you say are his biggest weaknesses, if any? Off speed? Higher velocity? Chasing pitches? Pitch recognition? Strike zone coverage? Does he swing and miss much?
I can't tell for sure looking at it from that camera angle, but he looks pretty straight up and down. He might try a bit more bend in knees with rear end down a bit and chest over balls of feet. I wouldn't over do any of that, but for most it's a more athletic position to start from and get your best swing from.
Anyway, he looks like he has talent. I'd be interested in knowing who he is if you want to PM.
As a hitter, he has and exceptional eye for the strike zone. He is hard to throw BP to, because he will not chase bad pitches. He rarely ever strikes out swinging. He probably leads his team in every offensive category including walks and HBP. When he does strike out its usually looking on a ball outside the strike zone. I tell him all the time you need to adjust to the umpires zone when you have 2 strikes, but I also tell him that his eye for the strike zone will serve him will when he gets to HS. His weakness would be that he is not aggressive enough at the plate (3 hole hitter). He also has a tendency to pop the ball up from time to time. Another weakness of his appears to be the inside pitch on the black, he tends to take this pitch quite a bit, even in BP. I will send you a PM.
