My son seems to be pulling off the ball. Causing him to pull everything and swing and miss on curvballs. Are there any drills we can do that will fix this issue?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Place a second tee in the path of where proper extension should be and have him hit both balls.
Post of a video of your son's swing so we can look at it.
It's hard to tell what's going on. It could be he is opening up too soon or stepping out.
It's hard to tell what's going on. It could be he is opening up too soon or stepping out.
In my experience there is not one thing you can do. This is caused by a whole host of other issues up stream of the casting of the bat. Poor hip action, plant foot rolling over, hands casting, pulling off of head, all end up causing this. That said getting him to focus on the inside of the ball off the T is the first step, Set the ball up inside so and have him hit seams turned inward. Hit every thing away, move to soft toss and then to live balls, hit everything away. The old throwing of the bat trick will give him an idea on where his throws should be. Throwing a frisbee is also something that gives them a feel. Like I said this is the result of something else wrong and video work with an instructor is likely going to be needed.
quote:Originally posted by BOF:. That said getting him to focus on the inside of the ball off the T is the first step, Set the ball up inside so and have him hit seams turned inward. Hit every thing away, move to soft toss and then to live balls, hit everything away. The old throwing of the bat trick will give him an idea on where his throws should be.
Regarding the above bold, great idea! But be careful that he doesn't shove the knob with his arms and get nothing out of his lower body.
quote:DRILLS to help extension???
hmmm... sounds like you should avoid extension.
Post a video.
quote:Originally posted by Eaglecoach:
My son seems to be pulling off the ball. Causing him to pull everything and swing and miss on curvballs. Are there any drills we can do that will fix this issue?
to me it was always the KISS theory; all tee and soft toss drills centered on hitting first "oppo" and then focus on hitting every ball "the length of the cage." I wanted to see every line drive hit our "batters eye" which was a tarp at the end of our batting cage.
All the things that go with that concept must occur; hand/hips inside & thru ball, head still and down thru contact, etc.
Guys, thanks for the help. Although I have plenty of video I don't know how to upload it to show you. I'm not what you would call computer savy.
Prime9,
What you posted is exactly where I start with every kid struggling to "stay back", "hit curveballs", or trying to "pull everything". I always tell them to hit the ball right back at ME. Try and take my head off. In order to do this, everything must work together in a uniform and timely fashion. This encourages the swing that we spend hours trying to perfect. I always tell them that you will know what to do when you see the inside fastball... You will get those hands inside and drive it. That's the easy part.
What you posted is exactly where I start with every kid struggling to "stay back", "hit curveballs", or trying to "pull everything". I always tell them to hit the ball right back at ME. Try and take my head off. In order to do this, everything must work together in a uniform and timely fashion. This encourages the swing that we spend hours trying to perfect. I always tell them that you will know what to do when you see the inside fastball... You will get those hands inside and drive it. That's the easy part.
quote:Originally posted by Eaglecoach:
Guys, thanks for the help. Although I have plenty of video I don't know how to upload it to show you. I'm not what you would call computer savy.
You can upload it to YouTube or create a Photobucket/ Tinypic account and have one of those websites host it.
I've used this drill with guys I work with. Promotes positive extension through the zone -
quote:Originally posted by The Pitching Academy:
I've used this drill with guys I work with. Promotes positive extension through the zone -
My eyes started to glaze over after about 2 minutes.
I would recommend the Happy Gilmore drill (or cross step drill) because it's easy and it incorporates all the proper mechanics needed to hit with power. I would also film your son doing this drill then play it back so your son can view it at slow speed.
Happy Gilmore Drill
quote:Originally posted by tradosaurus:quote:Originally posted by The Pitching Academy:
I've used this drill with guys I work with. Promotes positive extension through the zone -
My eyes started to glaze over after about 2 minutes.
I would recommend the Happy Gilmore drill (or cross step drill) because it's easy and it incorporates all the proper mechanics needed to hit with power. I would also film your son doing this drill then play it back so your son can view it at slow speed.
Happy Gilmore Drill
Run like H E L L from that drill posted earlier. Promotes hands in front of hips: A push swing.
We want HIPS in front of hands, with BOTH making a contribution to power.
Happy Gilmore, much better
quote:Originally posted by tradosaurus:quote:Originally posted by The Pitching Academy:
I've used this drill with guys I work with. Promotes positive extension through the zone -
My eyes started to glaze over after about 2 minutes.
I would recommend the Happy Gilmore drill (or cross step drill) because it's easy and it incorporates all the proper mechanics needed to hit with power. I would also film your son doing this drill then play it back so your son can view it at slow speed.
Happy Gilmore Drill
I've used and liked the "walk-thru drill" for years. Certainly agree that it entails all the movements. I would use it when talking about the importance of developing rhythm and transferring energy in a dynamic swing.
P.S. I also like the 1-arm drills (I've used them in all positions, kneeling & standing) and believe they have a place in the tool box, if for nothing else developing the wrists, forearms and promoting follow through.
quote:Originally posted by Low Finish:quote:Originally posted by tradosaurus:quote:Originally posted by The Pitching Academy:
I've used this drill with guys I work with. Promotes positive extension through the zone -
My eyes started to glaze over after about 2 minutes.
I would recommend the Happy Gilmore drill (or cross step drill) because it's easy and it incorporates all the proper mechanics needed to hit with power. I would also film your son doing this drill then play it back so your son can view it at slow speed.
Happy Gilmore Drill
Run like H E L L from that drill posted earlier. Promotes hands in front of hips: A push swing.
We want HIPS in front of hands, with BOTH making a contribution to power.
Happy Gilmore, much better
I second the motion to RUN like H E L L.
I had a high school coach who thought the "chair drill" (very similar) was the greatest thing in the world. How can anyone possibly learn to hit a baseball sitting in a chair?!
Makes me very sad thinking kids are learning to hit like this. They aren't afforded an amazing opportunity to good hitting information.
That drill is bad news. Listen to some of the guys on this forum and do what the baseball greats have been doing for years. Let the "hips lead the way!"
Best wishes!
If I had only one drill to teach a kid it would be the Happy Gilmore drill.
Why do you think when you toss up balls and hit them to the outfield they go so far? Because you are using all the proper techniques that the Happy Gilmore drill incorporates.
In fact what I have done in practice is have the kids during the batting is for them to toss up a ball and hit it as far as possible. I would have them hit 10 balls.
Live it. Love it. Learn it!
Why do you think when you toss up balls and hit them to the outfield they go so far? Because you are using all the proper techniques that the Happy Gilmore drill incorporates.
In fact what I have done in practice is have the kids during the batting is for them to toss up a ball and hit it as far as possible. I would have them hit 10 balls.
Live it. Love it. Learn it!
quote:Originally posted by Low Finish:quote:Originally posted by tradosaurus:quote:Originally posted by The Pitching Academy:
I've used this drill with guys I work with. Promotes positive extension through the zone -
My eyes started to glaze over after about 2 minutes.
I would recommend the Happy Gilmore drill (or cross step drill) because it's easy and it incorporates all the proper mechanics needed to hit with power. I would also film your son doing this drill then play it back so your son can view it at slow speed.
Happy Gilmore Drill
Run like H E L L from that drill posted earlier. Promotes hands in front of hips: A push swing.
We want HIPS in front of hands, with BOTH making a contribution to power.
Happy Gilmore, much better
BTW, comments such as yours is why I don't waste money on hitting "instructors".
And if my son is good enough to play college ball I will choose the college whose coach won't screw up my son's hitting technique.
Can someone explain to me how the one-hand drill can be bad? It doesn't "promote" anything to me involving the lower body. It isolates the upper body to develop a palm up/palm down swing path. It lets kids feel the roles of the top hand and bottom hand. The kid should be able to stand up and have the same timing/connection/separation/buzz-word-of-the-day that he had with hopefully a better swing path.
Not that I know what I'm talking about. I coach at a HS.
Not that I know what I'm talking about. I coach at a HS.
ironhorse
I agree, there is nothing wrong with the one handed drill. Tons of positives if instructed correctly. An instructor who puts it down probably doesn't understand the intent or how to interpret the drill and convey that to the student as a part of their swing and hand path. In other words they do not know how to instruct it.
The only bad that comes out of it is an instructor or coach not properly teaching it which would cause a negative to the hitter. But that is the same with any drill.
I agree, there is nothing wrong with the one handed drill. Tons of positives if instructed correctly. An instructor who puts it down probably doesn't understand the intent or how to interpret the drill and convey that to the student as a part of their swing and hand path. In other words they do not know how to instruct it.
The only bad that comes out of it is an instructor or coach not properly teaching it which would cause a negative to the hitter. But that is the same with any drill.
Definitely.
The one hand drills are valuable tools. Usually we use light bats for those, as swinging a regular weight bat one handed could do more harm then good.
We sometimes go to contact hitting balls one handed. Sometimes if players have difficulty creating some separation between the lead arm and the ribs/torso we will try these one hand drills.
They are a great tool if used correctly to develop the proper swing path.
The drill we are disagreeing with is the "kneeling and hitting soft toss with a full swing" drill. That promotes bad mechanics. I.E. a push or chopping swing.
The one hand drills are valuable tools. Usually we use light bats for those, as swinging a regular weight bat one handed could do more harm then good.
We sometimes go to contact hitting balls one handed. Sometimes if players have difficulty creating some separation between the lead arm and the ribs/torso we will try these one hand drills.
They are a great tool if used correctly to develop the proper swing path.
The drill we are disagreeing with is the "kneeling and hitting soft toss with a full swing" drill. That promotes bad mechanics. I.E. a push or chopping swing.
quote:Originally posted by saturdayhitting:
Definitely.
The one hand drills are valuable tools. Usually we use light bats for those, as swinging a regular weight bat one handed could do more harm then good.
We sometimes go to contact hitting balls one handed. Sometimes if players have difficulty creating some separation between the lead arm and the ribs/torso we will try these one hand drills.
They are a great tool if used correctly to develop the proper swing path.
The drill we are disagreeing with is the "kneeling and hitting soft toss with a full swing" drill. That promotes bad mechanics. I.E. a push or chopping swing.
Yes, I support the one hand drills. They're good drills if used correctly. I've used them to good effect. I want to be firmly planted on two feet when I do them. Not on one knee. That destroys the upper body and prevents a high-level swing.
Same thing with the fence drill.
My hands are supposed to work inside the baseball, yes. Doesn't mean a straight line. I may be thinking "straight to the ball", but I know I'm not doing that. It means an elliptical hand path.
If you want my personal advice on drills, here's what I like and use:
1) Happy Gilmore/ Walk-through drill
2) Swingbuilder/Rhythm drill (posted in the big Hands thread)
3) Stretch and Fire drill
4) Fungo uppercut drill
5) Two tee drill (A different one than the usual)
The two tee drill is accomplished by placing two tees on a line with each other. Make sure they're in a line. Then, put an apple or a ball on the further one. Put a ball on the one that you're hitting off of.
Hit the ball, with the objective of hitting the ball/apple off of the other tee.
quote:Originally posted by saturdayhitting:
The drill we are disagreeing with is the "kneeling and hitting soft toss with a full swing" drill. That promotes bad mechanics. I.E. a push or chopping swing.
100% Agree! But it was posted by the Pitching Academy, so maybe they are making their pitchers better by making hitters worse.
quote:Originally posted by shortnquick:quote:Originally posted by saturdayhitting:
The drill we are disagreeing with is the "kneeling and hitting soft toss with a full swing" drill. That promotes bad mechanics. I.E. a push or chopping swing.
100% Agree! But it was posted by the Pitching Academy, so maybe they are making their pitchers better by making hitters worse.
LowFinish posted a lot of great drills to use with students. I use many of those same strategies.
And I got a good laugh out of this. Maybe they are making their pitchers better! LOL
Thanks for brightening up my night a little bit.
quote:Originally posted by Low Finish:
If you want my personal advice on drills, here's what I like and use:
1) Happy Gilmore/ Walk-through drill
2) Swingbuilder/Rhythm drill (posted in the big Hands thread)
3) Stretch and Fire drill
4) Fungo uppercut drill
5) Two tee drill (A different one than the usual)
Low - Can you elaborate? I understand and use #1 and #5, can you explain #2,3,and4. With your two tee drill, how far out do you put the secnod tee from the first? I think i know what #3 is but i want to be sure I have it right. Thanks!
quote:Originally posted by bballdad2016:quote:Originally posted by Low Finish:
If you want my personal advice on drills, here's what I like and use:
1) Happy Gilmore/ Walk-through drill
2) Swingbuilder/Rhythm drill (posted in the big Hands thread)
3) Stretch and Fire drill
4) Fungo uppercut drill
5) Two tee drill (A different one than the usual)
Low - Can you elaborate? I understand and use #1 and #5, can you explain #2,3,and4. With your two tee drill, how far out do you put the secnod tee from the first? I think i know what #3 is but i want to be sure I have it right. Thanks!
The Rhythm drill is designed to create proper bat path. As you turn the barrel rearward, your rear hip/foot/leg move up (like they would in a normal swing) and the weight shifts to the front leg. You do 5-6 barrel turns, and then you hit the ball.
There are a few variations with a snap-stop, but it's basically the same thing.
Fungo uppercut: Toss the ball up. Coil forward. Hit the ball. Attempt to vary the placement of the toss (how deep or how far) to simulate hitting to opposite fields.
Two Tee: Put the second tee about 10-15 feet away to start. Then, increase the distance as the hitter gets better at it.
Stretch and Fire: Start in an open stance. Coil around the rear leg. Pick up the front foot (some versions don't make you do so, especially off a tee). Turn the barrel rearward when the shoulders are parallel to the hips.
Thanks LF.
bballdad2016- send me a PM with your email address. I have several drills from Dave Hudgens, that are very effective.
PM sent.
The problem with doing ANYTHING from the knees is that EVERY SWING we take is creating muscle memory. EVERY SWING. Why would we want to introduce ANYTHING into our movement, even for a few minutes, that doesn't happen in a game? I like to use drills that are as close as possible to a "game" swing.
Example:
When a kid is on deck... Every practice swing he takes IS creating or forming his swing. I've told several kids that I watched them taking practice swings on deck that were uppercuts, they then went to the plate and swung in an "uppercut" motion. I told them about this during the game and watched them change their swing INSTANTLY.
They were just up there mindlessly swinging the bat waiting their turn to hit. Little did they know that they were shaping their swing. It happens that quick.
The chair drill is just as bad. It sounds great to "isolate" a part of the swing. But what your really doing is creating a swing.
EVERY swing you take COULD become habit. Don't waste ANY swing. Not one.
Example:
When a kid is on deck... Every practice swing he takes IS creating or forming his swing. I've told several kids that I watched them taking practice swings on deck that were uppercuts, they then went to the plate and swung in an "uppercut" motion. I told them about this during the game and watched them change their swing INSTANTLY.
They were just up there mindlessly swinging the bat waiting their turn to hit. Little did they know that they were shaping their swing. It happens that quick.
The chair drill is just as bad. It sounds great to "isolate" a part of the swing. But what your really doing is creating a swing.
EVERY swing you take COULD become habit. Don't waste ANY swing. Not one.
quote:Originally posted by 4 seamer:
The problem with doing ANYTHING from the knees is that EVERY SWING we take is creating muscle memory. EVERY SWING. Why would we want to introduce ANYTHING into our movement, even for a few minutes, that doesn't happen in a game? I like to use drills that are as close as possible to a "game" swing.
Example:
When a kid is on deck... Every practice swing he takes IS creating or forming his swing. I've told several kids that I watched them taking practice swings on deck that were uppercuts, they then went to the plate and swung in an "uppercut" motion. I told them about this during the game and watched them change their swing INSTANTLY.
They were just up there mindlessly swinging the bat waiting their turn to hit. Little did they know that they were shaping their swing. It happens that quick.
The chair drill is just as bad. It sounds great to "isolate" a part of the swing. But what your really doing is creating a swing.
EVERY swing you take COULD become habit. Don't waste ANY swing. Not one.
Regarding the bolded portion, what do you mean by an "uppercut"? A slight uppercut is how MLB hitters square up the ball. Same thing as swinging level to the ball.
quote:Originally posted by Low Finish:quote:Originally posted by 4 seamer:
The problem with doing ANYTHING from the knees is that EVERY SWING we take is creating muscle memory. EVERY SWING. Why would we want to introduce ANYTHING into our movement, even for a few minutes, that doesn't happen in a game? I like to use drills that are as close as possible to a "game" swing.
Example:
When a kid is on deck... Every practice swing he takes IS creating or forming his swing. I've told several kids that I watched them taking practice swings on deck that were uppercuts, they then went to the plate and swung in an "uppercut" motion. I told them about this during the game and watched them change their swing INSTANTLY.
They were just up there mindlessly swinging the bat waiting their turn to hit. Little did they know that they were shaping their swing. It happens that quick.
The chair drill is just as bad. It sounds great to "isolate" a part of the swing. But what your really doing is creating a swing.
EVERY swing you take COULD become habit. Don't waste ANY swing. Not one.
Regarding the bolded portion, what do you mean by an "uppercut"? A slight uppercut is how MLB hitters square up the ball. Same thing as swinging level to the ball.
Actually if your swing is on the same level as the travel of the ball it will have a slight "uppercut" as the pitcher will be throwing down to the mitt. The proper swing will have 10-15 degree angle from the horizontal which will produce the maximum area of impact on the ball.
quote:Originally posted by tradosaurus:quote:Originally posted by Low Finish:quote:Originally posted by 4 seamer:
The problem with doing ANYTHING from the knees is that EVERY SWING we take is creating muscle memory. EVERY SWING. Why would we want to introduce ANYTHING into our movement, even for a few minutes, that doesn't happen in a game? I like to use drills that are as close as possible to a "game" swing.
Example:
When a kid is on deck... Every practice swing he takes IS creating or forming his swing. I've told several kids that I watched them taking practice swings on deck that were uppercuts, they then went to the plate and swung in an "uppercut" motion. I told them about this during the game and watched them change their swing INSTANTLY.
They were just up there mindlessly swinging the bat waiting their turn to hit. Little did they know that they were shaping their swing. It happens that quick.
The chair drill is just as bad. It sounds great to "isolate" a part of the swing. But what your really doing is creating a swing.
EVERY swing you take COULD become habit. Don't waste ANY swing. Not one.
Regarding the bolded portion, what do you mean by an "uppercut"? A slight uppercut is how MLB hitters square up the ball. Same thing as swinging level to the ball.
Actually if your swing is on the same level as the travel of the ball it will have a slight "uppercut" as the pitcher will be throwing down to the mitt. The proper swing will have 10-15 degree angle from the horizontal which will produce the maximum area of impact on the ball.
Ah, Tradosaurus and your great knowledge of Ted Williams. I wish more coaches around the country would read that book...
I meant swinging their bat like a golf club.
Sorry I didn't clarify better. I DO BELIEVE in a slight uppercut. I teach them to hit hit back on the same plane that it came to you. If the pitcher is real tall and throws over the top, the plane will be a little steeper if you will. I tell them that their approach to the at bat "starts" before the get to the plate.
I was describing kids on deck swinging like it was a 9 iron. Just mindlessly swinging. When they do this, they are changing/forming their swing.
Oh, and I own the science of hitting. Classic book.
Even if I don't teach everything in it, it's a great book.
Sorry I didn't clarify better. I DO BELIEVE in a slight uppercut. I teach them to hit hit back on the same plane that it came to you. If the pitcher is real tall and throws over the top, the plane will be a little steeper if you will. I tell them that their approach to the at bat "starts" before the get to the plate.
I was describing kids on deck swinging like it was a 9 iron. Just mindlessly swinging. When they do this, they are changing/forming their swing.
Oh, and I own the science of hitting. Classic book.
Even if I don't teach everything in it, it's a great book.
quote:Originally posted by 4 seamer:
I meant swinging their bat like a golf club.
Sorry I didn't clarify better. I DO BELIEVE in a slight uppercut. I teach them to hit hit back on the same plane that it came to you. If the pitcher is real tall and throws over the top, the plane will be a little steeper if you will. I tell them that their approach to the at bat "starts" before the get to the plate.
I was describing kids on deck swinging like it was a 9 iron. Just mindlessly swinging. When they do this, they are changing/forming their swing.
Oh, and I own the science of hitting. Classic book.
Even if I don't teach everything in it, it's a great book.
That I agree with. However, if the swing is ingrained (hopefully it is) then the couple of warm-up swings really shouldn't hurt.
IMO, the mental approach needs to be hitting down on the ball. Level to the ground works as well. Thinking slightly up will get you beaten every single at bat.
Click Here
EagleCoach,
Here are a few drills that I use when I feel like I am pulling off the ball to get me back on track. I hope this helps.
EagleCoach,
Here are a few drills that I use when I feel like I am pulling off the ball to get me back on track. I hope this helps.
