Has anyone ever dealt with the habit of the head tilting, or turning sideways during the swing? Even if I get him to start off on the stance with his eyes level, he tends to always wind up turning head sideways. Any thoughts?
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Yes, usually caused from the spine line collapsing. Meaning some hitters begin to rotate, they will flex/bend their upper body backward towards their back leg. This can create the head tilt you're talking about. While the balance should remain forward (towards the plate), we don't want hitters to collapse the backside during the early part of the swing.
There are a couple drills I use to get kids to feel they are doing this. I've had sucess with having the hitter kneel down with his back knee and front foot on the ground. Like in this pic, except with a bat.
I'll then do some front toss and let them take a few swings. They will feel their spine line change (collapsing) much easier in this posture than if they are standing. Once they can detect the problem, then I'll have them stand up and take a few less than 100% swings. Once they can feel themselves doing it incorrectly, we'll make quick progress.
There are a couple drills I use to get kids to feel they are doing this. I've had sucess with having the hitter kneel down with his back knee and front foot on the ground. Like in this pic, except with a bat.
I'll then do some front toss and let them take a few swings. They will feel their spine line change (collapsing) much easier in this posture than if they are standing. Once they can detect the problem, then I'll have them stand up and take a few less than 100% swings. Once they can feel themselves doing it incorrectly, we'll make quick progress.
At toe touch, is his front shoulder higher than his back shoulder?
A slight head tilt is ok, a normal result of the fact that there is usually some spine tilt in the stance.
When I see exaggerated head tilt, I do this simple visual drill...
Grab a baseball and stand about ten feet away from the player. Have the player stand (with no bat or glove) in a ready fielding position facing you. Have him tilt his head as far as he can sideways (about horizontal) and underhand the ball to him a few times. Now have him catch the ball with his head straight up. He should get a very clear idea of the visual distortion of head tilt. Now, put that player in his hitting stance and have him see the pitcher with both eyes with this drill fresh in mind. Have him take some cuts with the focus on "both eyes seeing the ball out of the pitcher's release point" and with minimal head tilt.
Another drill would be the slo mo first half of swing. Use a tee. Have the hitter set up and go through his swing in super slo motion to the point of contact. As he makes his way to contact, you can easily indentify where tilt begins and focus on that correction point, refering back to the first drill.
I do agree that a cause is likely either back side collapsing or front side bailing early or too upward.
When I see exaggerated head tilt, I do this simple visual drill...
Grab a baseball and stand about ten feet away from the player. Have the player stand (with no bat or glove) in a ready fielding position facing you. Have him tilt his head as far as he can sideways (about horizontal) and underhand the ball to him a few times. Now have him catch the ball with his head straight up. He should get a very clear idea of the visual distortion of head tilt. Now, put that player in his hitting stance and have him see the pitcher with both eyes with this drill fresh in mind. Have him take some cuts with the focus on "both eyes seeing the ball out of the pitcher's release point" and with minimal head tilt.
Another drill would be the slo mo first half of swing. Use a tee. Have the hitter set up and go through his swing in super slo motion to the point of contact. As he makes his way to contact, you can easily indentify where tilt begins and focus on that correction point, refering back to the first drill.
I do agree that a cause is likely either back side collapsing or front side bailing early or too upward.
Thanks for the help. Sorry I haven't replied sooner. We have been working on the one knee drill. He understands it, but it's a habit that is hard to break I guess.
In spite of that, he has been hitting the ball pretty good, so he's happy
Can anyone tell me how to upload video and photos to threads on this site? When I click the film icon, it just puts the words, with no browse function to upload.
In spite of that, he has been hitting the ball pretty good, so he's happy
Can anyone tell me how to upload video and photos to threads on this site? When I click the film icon, it just puts the words, with no browse function to upload.
Lot's of rep off the tee will help curb bad habits. I video every session so we can look at body position from head to toe. Video doesn't lie!
Also, I would recommend one hand drills. Thousands of reps from each hand will really grooove that swing.
Keep a tall backside and don't let the back leg break down. Really drive into the front leg hard with the head on a swivel.
Also, I would recommend one hand drills. Thousands of reps from each hand will really grooove that swing.
Keep a tall backside and don't let the back leg break down. Really drive into the front leg hard with the head on a swivel.
I dont know how to upload video, but here's a link to his 2 AB's last night. Sorry it's just my phone video cam shot from the dugout. (and on the wrong side)
3.30.11- single -line dr
3.30.11 single
Thanks for the input on this or any other aspect of his swing.
3.30.11- single -line dr
3.30.11 single
Thanks for the input on this or any other aspect of his swing.
I have worked with many many hitters that have this issue. Our program is based on Central Vision focus of the ball and when a hitter starts seeing the ball better they work themselves out of this situation. Tracking all the way through with Central Vision is the best drill to work this issue out. Partial focus is not good enough, Central Vision FOCUSING and CONCENTRATION on the ball always works for us.
Thank you. I will take a look at your website.
Anyone care to comment on his swing mechanics from the links above?
Anyone care to comment on his swing mechanics from the links above?
quote:Originally posted by danocaster:
Thank you. I will take a look at your website.
Anyone care to comment on his swing mechanics from the links above?
That's a tough angle to comment on, the other side would be much easier. The lower half mechanics look good. Keeps himself balanced all the way through the swing. Uses his back side well and transfers energy into the pitch great.
Got another angle to see how the hands come through the zone?
