High School Hitting Approach II

When you say his plate performance has dropped, what specifically has happened?

He feels it's messing with his timing leading to more weak ground outs, fouls and Ks. Also coaches call for a more downward/chopping bat path to discourage fly balls.

Just hit the way he hits normally. In BP start your way, when the coach interjects do some his way then go back to your way. Especially in game hit your way, but you have to produce. 

I like his swing.  Very smooth and loose.  I wouldn't change the swing plane or hand position, but it looks like he's pulling up his front elbow a bit which may be robbing him of some bat speed through contact.

That was my advice to him however last game the coach was yelling from the dug out between pitches to get his hand back and gesturing where he wanted his hands. Can't seem to escape it or fool him. I've now told him to let the coach know as politely as possible you want to use the swing you're comfortable with for a couple of games.

Feel your pain brother!

Man, that's a tough one.  HS coach is "always right."  Hopefully, he can have an intelligent hitting discussion with his coach about what and why.  Otherwise ...

Moving the hands only and creating an arm bar can be a problem.  I would try a little coil (shoulder/hip turn inward) to get the hands back.  Maybe it will give the illusion of the hands being where the coach wants them.  It something the kid will need to work thru.  Good luck. 

Good balance, slightly open stance. A lot of instructors will look at his load and see if his hand are loading. Do they drop or do they travel just outside the frame to complete his load. I know many guys that would look at him and say just a little more load and finish your swing! But if he is squaring balls up I think he looks pretty close.

Got any game footage...?

Half speed cage swings are hard to gauge...

Not many swings nor the ideal angle. Different pitchers same result, fouled back. Hands are farther back than he likes.

There are two lights poles in the background.  You can see a smaller pole directly over his head.  His head is droping it appears 6"-12" inches on both swings.  In addition, it appears he is drifting over his front side.  Needs to hit against a firm front side.  I am a novice at this, but I did teach both my kids.  In addition, I have spent about 15 yrs. learning and teaching form the best.  Just my thoughts.  Alan Cockrell hitting instructor for Diamonds backs has a video on Ichiro and Pujols.  Good stuff.  Good luck.

No coach should be yelling about his hands or anything else during an AB. That should be discussed privately before he goes up there or in practice. Hitting down on ball is ridicules. That's not how to correct fly balls. Possibly look into getting hitting lessons from someone who knows how to teach hitting. Hate to hear these stories where players are "controlled" by HS coach who really do more harm to their development than good. 

Let's be generous and say the coach is confused.

Let's clear up the coach confusion:

1. Your hands can be anywhere in the stance.  Anywhere.

2. At toe touch, the front bicep (not the forearm) should be touching the chest, and the hands should be 'back' near the back shoulder.

3. Chopping down on the ball, decreases your chance of making contact since you swing like this "\", and the ball is coming in like this "/".  Plus it decreases your chance of getting on base, since you will be will hitting the ball into the dirt where there are 6 fielders in a small area.  Hit it where there are only 3 covering the entire OF.

Now let's talk about his swing:

1. He brings his back elbow down without using it to turn the bat head toward the catcher. (freeze the first video at the 5 sec mark)  So he is forced to push the bat at the ball, which results in a weak swing, and probably contributes to some of the lunging as well.

What to do:

Have your kid play dumb. The coach does this well himself.

Now that we all know that it is 100% the coaches fault for his lack of success I would like to ask a question.  What was your son's BA prior to the coach changing things?

Trying to visualize. Is the red bat what you mean by turned toward the catcher?

Can't quote any stats, none were made known to players or parents, was voted offensive MVP last year FWIW.

2016, yes, the 2nd frame from right shows the back elbow down and the bat head hasn't moved.  Also notice that the shoulders are still level.

Here are some LH MLB hitters to compare at the point where their back elbow is down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pelNwvW8sTc

They use their back shoulder and back elbow (there is a debate whether this is active or a result - no matter) to leverage the bat head backwards.

2016,

I think it is important to know that there are multiple hitting mechanic philosophies even at the highest levels and things aren't always black and white right or wrong as many with strong opinions toward one or another would suggest. 

So, be careful when you come here (or anywhere) for advice or confirmation on hitting instruction.

In the game swings, your son is certainly not chopping downward with his swing.  In fact, once he gets the barrel to the zone, he is swinging slightly upward, which is fine.  His balance, stance and load are well within the realm of what is typically taught.  I could further analyze and debate what others are saying here.  But I think the important thing is to come up with the best go-forward plan is for your son. 

Understand that there are often adjustments made to swing mechanics and, yes, this will typically disrupt timing and consistent contact until the adjustment becomes more engrained.

I went to a college D1 game last weekend featuring a top 5 nationally ranked program.  I noticed that this team had every hitter using a flatter-than-usual bat angle for their set and load position.  It appeared that the coach was trying to simplify and eliminate unnecessary moving parts - more of a one-plane swing.  My son played summer and scout ball with a few of these players and their swings looked quite different than they did a few years ago.  Undoubtedly, they went through an adjustment process that took them a step or two back before progressing forward.  Even though it looks a bit unorthodox as compared to today's more popular teaches, it's sure working for them now.  Did I mention they are ranked top 5?

Where did your son learn the mechanics he is comfortable with?  Does he understand the basic principals well enough to discuss?  Does he understand the principals that the current coach is trying to convey?  Is son open to learning new ideas and approaches?  Can he have a discussion with the current coach to come up with a direction both will be comfortable with?  Does your son understand that each coach he plays for will likely make some adjustments and he will need to continue to adapt?  If there is a hitting coach (outside of HS) involved, can he help connect the dots between what is being taught?  Does outside hitting coach know HS coach?   I would explore intelligent discussion, open mind and communication as opposed to the "nod your head yes and then screw 'em" approach.  That will generally not work well when it comes to developing relationships with his current and future coaches.