Extension & Hitting Lingo

Nicholas, you're right on. The best way to make certain there is no terminology differences is to model what you teach. I'm sure you've figured that out, but it amazing me sometimes to see no modeling of mechanics going on from those who are providing the instruction.

Keep up the good work.

Nate Barnett

I tend to use different words with different hitters, but I try to keep it simple and the words consistant.

Each hitter is different in personality, style, etc. My challenge is to understand them and their swing and find the keys to help them improve.

Lefty...

The experience we had with the instructor that we use has been that he was very aware of the Language, and very aware that he needed to define his terms so that my son would understand his language. His language does not change student to student.

It took a fair amount of time to get to the point where both he and my son could speak the same language fluently together, but the end result of that is that issues can be discussed over lunch, or over the phone, and explored together in a way that allows his instructor to correct flaws or make minor adjustments without working with him in a cage. He has the ability to look at photographs and film and speak a language that the two of them understand.

You can not learn or hope to teach this way if the instructor and player are not committed to work together over a long period of time.

If you find the instructor that is consistant and teaches a philosophy based on facts, oriented around results that are in fact measurable, and he has a language that he knows he must teach as well, then you have an instructor that will be able to get a player to the point where the hitter is able to analyze and make corrections on his own, as well as engage his instructor over long distances if an issue crops up.

My son has worked with excellent hitting instructors that taught an approach, but primarilly were geared toward a fix to a flaw, and would effectively fix flaws as they appeared. The results were good and no language skills were required. But, flaws change and can be subtle and with no language are difficult to verbally identify and require another trip to get fixed. This is an entirely different approach to instruction, an approach that really can not get the hitter to the level where he can confidently make adjustments and diagnosis on his own, and can therefore limit his growth and future in the game.

quote:

Originally posted by Nicholas25:
most of my hittes spin off the ball with that front side as their first movement, causing the head of the bat to quickly leave the zone.

Isn't this what happens when anyone uses the "extension" cue? This is why it's "bashed".

What if you simply told them to "keep their hands back"?

/ sorry, I'm a basher

Check out this video from Adrian. Some good points about keeping the bat in the zone longer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wIHHDrr1hg

Lefty

Great clip, thanks SD. IMO, keeping the bat in the zone longer and finishing high, as this reasonably qualified speaker explains, is a perfect definition of proper "extension" in a swing.

quote:

Originally posted by cabbagedad:
Great clip, thanks SD. IMO, keeping the bat in the zone longer and finishing high, as this reasonably qualified speaker explains, is a perfect definition of proper "extension" in a swing.

Not a problem. Have a good week.

quote:

Originally posted by cabbagedad:
Great clip, thanks SD. IMO, keeping the bat in the zone longer and finishing high, as this reasonably qualified speaker explains, is a perfect definition of proper "extension" in a swing.

It's always interesting to hear great hitters talk about what they feel are important aspects of the swing!