how come when i sit and hit off the tee and hit whiffle balls and in the cage i can hit fine, but when i get in the game i will hit a weak ground ball to the right side of the field or weak pop up to the right side of the field?
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one of two things: live pitching is much harder and maybe you need to see that huge discusion about the mental part of hitting. good luck.
If your stance is straight ahead and you are hitting weakly to the right side , you are late in your swing.
Try some live BP. Instead of aiming for the center of the ball as you would do with a tee, place your sights at the lower half of the ball. Also, if you have been taught to make contact when the ball is over the plate, change your contact point to just in front of the plate.
Give these suggestions a try. If they work wonderful, if not we'll need a plan 'B'.
Try some live BP. Instead of aiming for the center of the ball as you would do with a tee, place your sights at the lower half of the ball. Also, if you have been taught to make contact when the ball is over the plate, change your contact point to just in front of the plate.
Give these suggestions a try. If they work wonderful, if not we'll need a plan 'B'.
When you do tee work look staright out as you would in the game and as your stride foot lands, see the ball and explode from there.
Coach,
Since muscles only contract, I'm thinking we should refer to the compression that produces the swing as implosion. Might help batters get a better idea of why they should be relaxed until deciding to swing and why they would be keeping their hands in.
What is your view on the idea?
Since muscles only contract, I'm thinking we should refer to the compression that produces the swing as implosion. Might help batters get a better idea of why they should be relaxed until deciding to swing and why they would be keeping their hands in.
What is your view on the idea?
I can go along with that.
Hitters should never be relaxed in the box.....Muscles should be loaded and have tension.....
And, as far as aiming at a spot on the ball,..... 
You can't be serious....Say it ain't so.....
You can't be serious....Say it ain't so.....
quote:Originally posted by BlueDog:
Hitters should never be relaxed in the box.....Muscles should be loaded and have tension.....
With all due respect Blue Dog, that is the absolute dumbest thing I have ever heard. Please, any young hitters reading this, relax in the box, especially your hands, keep them nice and relaxed. Yes, you should have some tension in your legs if anywhere, but overall, stay relaxed.
It is nice to see that others are picking up on the fact that BLUEDOG, does not know as much about the game as he wants us to believe
Budandbran, honestly, all you people running around telling kids to relax their muscles in the box are not realizing the damage you are doing to these kids..... 
No kid can relax their muscles, then load properly when the pitch is on it's way.....There must be some degree of pre-loading by these young players.....And, loading is tension, that's what it is.....
Sometimes, I wonder if you people are thinking before you post....
No kid can relax their muscles, then load properly when the pitch is on it's way.....There must be some degree of pre-loading by these young players.....And, loading is tension, that's what it is.....
Sometimes, I wonder if you people are thinking before you post....
BlueDog,
You are just flat out wrong on this one. I player must be relaxed in the box, especially in the upper body.
You are just flat out wrong on this one. I player must be relaxed in the box, especially in the upper body.
Nd, you also say you believe the swing is from the ground up.......
And, you have said that you hit everything opposite field and have trouble pulling inside pitches.....
Perhaps you should learn what a proper load would do for you?.....Is that asking too much from you?...
And, you have said that you hit everything opposite field and have trouble pulling inside pitches.....
Perhaps you should learn what a proper load would do for you?.....Is that asking too much from you?...
posted by bubandbran
Stay relaxed at the plate, AROD told me, (he was my roomate on the '93 USA TEAM and friend from hometown), that he wants his hands so relaxed on the bat that his 10 year old niece could pull the bat out of his hands
Stay relaxed at the plate, AROD told me, (he was my roomate on the '93 USA TEAM and friend from hometown), that he wants his hands so relaxed on the bat that his 10 year old niece could pull the bat out of his hands
The grip has nothing to do with body load.....
Bobo, do you understand loading at all????....
Bobo, do you understand loading at all????....
You're disputuing a quote by AROD. I never said it.
AROD would be the poster boy for the techniques you espouse and/or the results that you claim would be attained by the swing that you are enamored with.
Judging from the results that AROD has with HIS technique, it appears that you know something, but it is of little to no value in the real world.
AROD would be the poster boy for the techniques you espouse and/or the results that you claim would be attained by the swing that you are enamored with.
Judging from the results that AROD has with HIS technique, it appears that you know something, but it is of little to no value in the real world.
I think we should allow BLUE DOG to take his "tablet" of the Ten Commandments of Hitting to the top of the mountain and see who follows--that would be the true test
TRhit says hitting takes care of itself......Now, I don't care where you're from, that there's funny.... 
I believe we are now arguing on phases of hitting within the time frame in the box. Also, believe some are arguing mental v physical. Its the old boxing analogy. Make a muscle with your bicep as hard as you can and hold. Now, without relaxing, try to be fast in a punch. You can't be fast. Now, shake your arm and make it "loose." Now try to be fast. I'm sure you'll agree it is much quicker. This might, to most, now go against Bluedog's comments. However, now do it again. You notice that even when "loose," the arm has to contract and then go. Much like the rubber band, energy has to be stored and then released. Finally, I've always taught relaxed hands. I'm a hands person. However, there is a point in the load where it is impossible to keep those hands relaxed. What you have to then realize is that both arguments here have some merit. It's just requires that the batter's presence in the box be broken down. I HOPE THIS MAKE SENSE TO EVERYONE. JMHO!
Bluedog,
2 questions
Question #1
Which are you more interested in?
- Answering the young man's question - which is what we try to do here on this site - OR -
- Attacking a poster - in this case - TRHit.
Question #2
Will you ever stop - even for a day or two - attacking posters?
Please be specific in your answers.
Thank you.
2 questions
Question #1
Which are you more interested in?
- Answering the young man's question - which is what we try to do here on this site - OR -
- Attacking a poster - in this case - TRHit.
Question #2
Will you ever stop - even for a day or two - attacking posters?
Please be specific in your answers.
Thank you.
Blue dog
Loading is tension ?? Thats a new one on me .
Different players have different ways of loading up . Loading up can be done in a relaxed manner as well as in a tense way.
Why would anyone want to be all tensed up before the pitch ?
Loading is tension ?? Thats a new one on me .
Different players have different ways of loading up . Loading up can be done in a relaxed manner as well as in a tense way.
Why would anyone want to be all tensed up before the pitch ?
quote:Originally posted by BlueDog:
Hitters should never be relaxed in the box.....Muscles should be loaded and have tension.....
LOL
That is ALMOST as good as the "swinging a baseball bat into a 200 pound bag of sand" advice you gave to youth players a year or two ago.
LOL
Its Hammer Time. LOL
Bsaeball21,
It is difficult to tell you what is going on without watching you. But, over the years I have seen a number of kids that have similar problems. They usually fall into one of three areas. 1. Mechanical. I have a hitter that is working on this problem now. If you open your hips and your hands don't fire, you will have a tough time turning on the pitch and will have the results you describe. Try this, set yourself early and start your swing with your hands. You will like the results. 2. Mental. Many times a hitter hits well in a situation where they know they will swing, but in a game, when they have to make a decision to swing, they cannot fully commit to the swing aggressively. Try to take the approach of every pitch will be a strike, set yourself and expect to swing. If it is not in the zone, lay-off. It is easier to stop, than to start when you are not prepared. 3. Relax. I have had countless players over the years that were tense at the plate and could not swing quickly when they needed it. Each learned to relax and explode on the ball and ALL improved from this. Their is a physiological term "reciprocal inhibition." It simply states that in order for a muscle to fire at its maximum effectiveness that the opposing muscles must relax. This is done through a chemical process but is aided if the muscles relax. Loading in my view is placing the body in a relaxed position in which it can effectively utilize the most areas of the body to contribute to a swing with rapid contraction to the hitting zone.
It is difficult to tell you what is going on without watching you. But, over the years I have seen a number of kids that have similar problems. They usually fall into one of three areas. 1. Mechanical. I have a hitter that is working on this problem now. If you open your hips and your hands don't fire, you will have a tough time turning on the pitch and will have the results you describe. Try this, set yourself early and start your swing with your hands. You will like the results. 2. Mental. Many times a hitter hits well in a situation where they know they will swing, but in a game, when they have to make a decision to swing, they cannot fully commit to the swing aggressively. Try to take the approach of every pitch will be a strike, set yourself and expect to swing. If it is not in the zone, lay-off. It is easier to stop, than to start when you are not prepared. 3. Relax. I have had countless players over the years that were tense at the plate and could not swing quickly when they needed it. Each learned to relax and explode on the ball and ALL improved from this. Their is a physiological term "reciprocal inhibition." It simply states that in order for a muscle to fire at its maximum effectiveness that the opposing muscles must relax. This is done through a chemical process but is aided if the muscles relax. Loading in my view is placing the body in a relaxed position in which it can effectively utilize the most areas of the body to contribute to a swing with rapid contraction to the hitting zone.
Hsballcoach, the only way reciprocal inhibition can be triggered is by tensing a muscle.....I can't believe you brought this up and don't even know the theory behind it.....
You don't understand loading the body as it pertains to swinging a bat......Only certain muscles load.....And, reciprocal inhibition does nothing to advance anyone's understanding of the body's load in swinging a bat.....
You don't understand loading the body as it pertains to swinging a bat......Only certain muscles load.....And, reciprocal inhibition does nothing to advance anyone's understanding of the body's load in swinging a bat.....
quote:It is easier to stop, than to start when you are not prepared.
You can't stop if you don't start first.....
quote:Try this, set yourself early and start your swing with your hands.
Number one reason why players can't hit.....They start the swing with their hands....
quote:If you open your hips and your hands don't fire, you will have a tough time turning on the pitch and will have the results you describe.
Very true, Coach.......Number two reason why players can't hit....But, the solution is not to start the swing with the hands, like you say.....
BLUE DOG
I can tell you that you are total detriment to teaching baseball--how can you teach when you say you are open to learning and listening to others but then you down everyone else who offers opinion contrary to yours
Is tha pasty avatar of pic of you?
I can tell you that you are total detriment to teaching baseball--how can you teach when you say you are open to learning and listening to others but then you down everyone else who offers opinion contrary to yours
Is tha pasty avatar of pic of you?
quote:I can tell you that you are total detriment to teaching baseball
TRhit, and you say I put others down????
BLUE DOG
Again ????????????????
When will you learn Sunshine boy????
You answer everyting with a questions--- tell us how you put a team together--- can you do that?
Again ????????????????
When will you learn Sunshine boy????
You answer everyting with a questions--- tell us how you put a team together--- can you do that?
BlueDog,
With all due respect, I suggest that you do a little more research on reciprocal inhibition. It will clearly explain why you should be relaxed when hitting. With more research you will understand. As far as starting with the hands. If you mentally start with the hands it will cause the body to function in better timing, as it will help the hips and hands work together. I understand that you disagree, and that is fine. I have had much success, with this and have never had a kid struggle when they employ the three suggestions that I offered above. If you disagree that is fine, the suggestions were for the young man requesting help. I do enjoy your input, even though we do not always see eye to eye. That's baseball, it would be pretty boring if everyone did it the same.
With all due respect, I suggest that you do a little more research on reciprocal inhibition. It will clearly explain why you should be relaxed when hitting. With more research you will understand. As far as starting with the hands. If you mentally start with the hands it will cause the body to function in better timing, as it will help the hips and hands work together. I understand that you disagree, and that is fine. I have had much success, with this and have never had a kid struggle when they employ the three suggestions that I offered above. If you disagree that is fine, the suggestions were for the young man requesting help. I do enjoy your input, even though we do not always see eye to eye. That's baseball, it would be pretty boring if everyone did it the same.
Not trying to add fuel here, but I’ve noticed something that could be important.
First, when we talk about the swing, what exactly are we talking about? I mean from start to finish?
Second, I am more convinced than ever that some of the biggest debates revolve around terminology rather than belief.
For example, I’m pretty sure that “hsbaseballcoach” doesn’t exactly mean the swing starts with the hands. Rather I think he was describing how the hands work in conjunction with the rest of the body and specifically the hips. I believe BlueDog also believes the same thing.
Often I use the term Rhythm when describing what I see in a swing. BlueDog and InfoPimp have disagreed with this if I remember correctly. When using the word Rhythm it’s not a teaching thing, but a description of what I see in most good hitters.
When all the body parts work together efficiently there is a certain rhythm to the entire process. It’s more of a visual thing than an instructional thing.
And yes… Some for whatever reason seem to come across this stuff more naturally than others. Just like arm action in throwing and running form while sprinting. For whatever reason, be it accidental or genetics, some young kids simply do things with better natural technique and do it much easier than others.
I’ve read much of what both BlueDog and InfoPimp say and have found the differences in belief is not as great as I first thought. In fact, some of the things I thought they were against I’ve found they are for. I just wasn’t familiar with all the terms and misinterpreted originally. Yes, there are differences, but to be honest, I’m not so sure I’m 100% right regarding those differences. Others, I feel strongly about and probably won’t change. For example… Loose hands and the value of hand strength. The importance of the finish of the swing. And the value of having a margin for error. And I actually like the term staying on the ball or hitting through the ball. Not because it really happens, but because I think it can help hitters.
I do not have the ability to accurately answer the original question that started this thread. I could give him a lot of different reasons why that might be happening, but it would probably confuse him more than help him. If he has ability, his should be an easy fix by getting with a good hitting instructor. I think several people here could help that young man if they were to watch him hit.
Regarding the arguing… I’ve already gone on record as saying I kind of enjoy it. However, don’t want to be involved in it. I even bet the young kids on here get a kick out of it.
Remember Ed Norton and Ralph Cramden? Laurel and Hardy? Without the arguing they wouldn’t have been anywhere near as entertaining. Please forgive me, can’t help it, please keep it up!
In the meantime, there are several people involved here and the pitching forum who really know there stuff IMO.
First, when we talk about the swing, what exactly are we talking about? I mean from start to finish?
Second, I am more convinced than ever that some of the biggest debates revolve around terminology rather than belief.
For example, I’m pretty sure that “hsbaseballcoach” doesn’t exactly mean the swing starts with the hands. Rather I think he was describing how the hands work in conjunction with the rest of the body and specifically the hips. I believe BlueDog also believes the same thing.
Often I use the term Rhythm when describing what I see in a swing. BlueDog and InfoPimp have disagreed with this if I remember correctly. When using the word Rhythm it’s not a teaching thing, but a description of what I see in most good hitters.
When all the body parts work together efficiently there is a certain rhythm to the entire process. It’s more of a visual thing than an instructional thing.
And yes… Some for whatever reason seem to come across this stuff more naturally than others. Just like arm action in throwing and running form while sprinting. For whatever reason, be it accidental or genetics, some young kids simply do things with better natural technique and do it much easier than others.
I’ve read much of what both BlueDog and InfoPimp say and have found the differences in belief is not as great as I first thought. In fact, some of the things I thought they were against I’ve found they are for. I just wasn’t familiar with all the terms and misinterpreted originally. Yes, there are differences, but to be honest, I’m not so sure I’m 100% right regarding those differences. Others, I feel strongly about and probably won’t change. For example… Loose hands and the value of hand strength. The importance of the finish of the swing. And the value of having a margin for error. And I actually like the term staying on the ball or hitting through the ball. Not because it really happens, but because I think it can help hitters.
I do not have the ability to accurately answer the original question that started this thread. I could give him a lot of different reasons why that might be happening, but it would probably confuse him more than help him. If he has ability, his should be an easy fix by getting with a good hitting instructor. I think several people here could help that young man if they were to watch him hit.
Regarding the arguing… I’ve already gone on record as saying I kind of enjoy it. However, don’t want to be involved in it. I even bet the young kids on here get a kick out of it.
Remember Ed Norton and Ralph Cramden? Laurel and Hardy? Without the arguing they wouldn’t have been anywhere near as entertaining. Please forgive me, can’t help it, please keep it up!
In the meantime, there are several people involved here and the pitching forum who really know there stuff IMO.
Jerry, you must be eating your Wheaties of late because that is another classic and I believe you do understand the differences and terminology involved here. peace, Shep
To tell a kid to start the swing the hands is bad advice.....Plain and simple....
And, reciprocal inhibition is triggered by a tensed up muscle...Plain and simple...
And, reciprocal inhibition is triggered by a tensed up muscle...Plain and simple...
The problem with instruction is that too many see what they want to see....
Which is why film work is so critical. Even then, you have to know what you are looking for. Example, camera angle needs to be changed during BP so that you can see several angles on a swing. You might not notice from a side view that a player is seperating their hands away from the body on one camera angle and yet, from another, you'll see it right away. Another example - "being on time" during breaking pitches and fastballs requires a series of movements (timing even though swing is the same - your batter might straighten up with a breaking pitch) in conjunction with ball flight. If you don't have a couple of angles that demonstrate ball flight, you might misinterpret some swing mechanic. Just a few thoughts!
BLUE DOG
Why arent you in the "bigs" curing all the ills?
Where is your video?
By the way big words and fancy terms dont work with young kids--they need it in english and example
Why arent you in the "bigs" curing all the ills?
Where is your video?
By the way big words and fancy terms dont work with young kids--they need it in english and example
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
BLUE DOG
Why arent you in the "bigs" curing all the ills?
Where is your video?
By the way big words and fancy terms dont work with young kids--they need it in english and example
TR, you've hit on a very important aspect of not only correcting a hitting/fielding flaw but also establishing a philopsphy/program. You have to have terms that mean what you say and then those terms have to be demonstrated. You know this first hand. I'm sure that the kids you get have already had 3-4 coaches and you might all say the same thing just with different phrases. Make sure that they know what you mean when you say things such as "let the ball get to you." Of course, if you can do this with video, it makes the lesson's points better because the player can see themselves. Personally, we've taped my girl at various stages of development. She loves watching the film but more importantly, she is starting to understand what she is looking for.
BTW, I hope the rain is stopping in your area. You must have received a bunch!
Coach
Personally ther eis no better way to teach baseball, any aspect of it, that one on one.--Videos are great--words are great-- but one on one showing the player what to do is critical and for me the best way to get through to them.
As for the rain I just finished the ARK-- we set sail tomorrow or tonight !! They are talking rain possibly thru Thursday
Personally ther eis no better way to teach baseball, any aspect of it, that one on one.--Videos are great--words are great-- but one on one showing the player what to do is critical and for me the best way to get through to them.
As for the rain I just finished the ARK-- we set sail tomorrow or tonight !! They are talking rain possibly thru Thursday
TR - ONE ON ONE IS WHAT I LIVE FOR IN COACHING. BUILDS A REPORE WITH THE PLAYER AND LETS YOU, AS A COACH, TOUCH A LIFE. You've done that to several lives from all that I've gathered here!
Recent research on the brain has increased our understanding of learning and, therefore, expanded our knowledge of what makes for good instruction. One significant finding is that the brain cannot effectively retain lots of unconnected facts.
Our brains are constantly seeking patterns and connections. By bunching facts into categories or organizing them around concepts, the brain can make its own sense out of information and begin to understand it. Therefore, to help students see connections and make sense of the curriculum, it should be organized around concepts and principles.
Investigate examples of differentiating instruction.
Explore how the use of concepts and essential understandings plays a vital role in differentiating instruction.
Consider how to "equalize" opportunities for each learner, giving him/her an appropriate level of challenge while learning the same concept and essential understandings.
It Begins with Good Instruction
Effective differentiation is based on the foundation of good instructional principles. Put another way, without good instruction there won't be effective differentiation. Recent research on the brain has increased our understanding of learning and, therefore, expanded our knowledge of what makes for good instruction. One significant finding is that the brain cannot effectively retain lots of unconnected facts.
We know from brain research that students need to see patterns and connections. And if they have no way to make sense of this massive amount of information that's coming at them, they tend to get confused. It just becomes traipsing over trivia.
Our brains are constantly seeking patterns and connections. By bunching facts into categories or organizing them around concepts, the brain can make its own sense out of information and begin to understand it. Therefore, to help students see connections and make sense of the curriculum, it should be organized around concepts and principles.
When we teach by the key concepts and principles, it helps students develop frameworks of meaning.
The importance of using concepts and principles to frame learning is also based on the work of Hilda Taba who focused on how knowledge is structured.
Facts are discrete pieces of information that we believe to be true. These facts may typically fall within topics. For example, under the topic of Westward Movement, two facts are that (1) early American settlers migrated to the west and (2) many settlers traveled in wagon trains.
Concepts are ways of organizing or categorizing things that have something in common. For example, the concept of migration is a way of viewing the topic of Westward Movement and organizing facts about the settlers' experiences.
Principles are the ideas and deeper understandings that give meaning to the concepts. They are also referred to as essential understandings, generalizations, or "big ideas." (e.g., "People migrate to meet a variety of needs" or "Migration may lead to enhanced opportunity or greater freedom.")
The use of concepts to frame learning helps students to retain facts. But more important, it serves as a starting point for engaging students at a higher level of thinking and understanding by providing a certain perspective or focus on the topic of study.
The use of concepts and essential understandings plays a vital role in differentiating instruction. Essentially, the concept and principles serve as the common point for all students' learning.
Keep it relative. Keep it simple. Keep to the point.
Our brains are constantly seeking patterns and connections. By bunching facts into categories or organizing them around concepts, the brain can make its own sense out of information and begin to understand it. Therefore, to help students see connections and make sense of the curriculum, it should be organized around concepts and principles.
Investigate examples of differentiating instruction.
Explore how the use of concepts and essential understandings plays a vital role in differentiating instruction.
Consider how to "equalize" opportunities for each learner, giving him/her an appropriate level of challenge while learning the same concept and essential understandings.
It Begins with Good Instruction
Effective differentiation is based on the foundation of good instructional principles. Put another way, without good instruction there won't be effective differentiation. Recent research on the brain has increased our understanding of learning and, therefore, expanded our knowledge of what makes for good instruction. One significant finding is that the brain cannot effectively retain lots of unconnected facts.
We know from brain research that students need to see patterns and connections. And if they have no way to make sense of this massive amount of information that's coming at them, they tend to get confused. It just becomes traipsing over trivia.
Our brains are constantly seeking patterns and connections. By bunching facts into categories or organizing them around concepts, the brain can make its own sense out of information and begin to understand it. Therefore, to help students see connections and make sense of the curriculum, it should be organized around concepts and principles.
When we teach by the key concepts and principles, it helps students develop frameworks of meaning.
The importance of using concepts and principles to frame learning is also based on the work of Hilda Taba who focused on how knowledge is structured.
Facts are discrete pieces of information that we believe to be true. These facts may typically fall within topics. For example, under the topic of Westward Movement, two facts are that (1) early American settlers migrated to the west and (2) many settlers traveled in wagon trains.
Concepts are ways of organizing or categorizing things that have something in common. For example, the concept of migration is a way of viewing the topic of Westward Movement and organizing facts about the settlers' experiences.
Principles are the ideas and deeper understandings that give meaning to the concepts. They are also referred to as essential understandings, generalizations, or "big ideas." (e.g., "People migrate to meet a variety of needs" or "Migration may lead to enhanced opportunity or greater freedom.")
The use of concepts to frame learning helps students to retain facts. But more important, it serves as a starting point for engaging students at a higher level of thinking and understanding by providing a certain perspective or focus on the topic of study.
The use of concepts and essential understandings plays a vital role in differentiating instruction. Essentially, the concept and principles serve as the common point for all students' learning.
Keep it relative. Keep it simple. Keep to the point.
quote:Originally posted by hsballcoach:
PG,
You put it very well. As I have stated in earlier posts. There is a difference between thought process and reality. Yes, in reality the hips will turn in conjunction with the hands or slightly ahead. In order to get to that point I have found that it is benefitial for the hitter to feel as though they start their swing in this manner in order to stay connected. This is something that works well for my players. But as others have stated before, terminology means very little, it is ones understanding through visual cues and actually doing that makes the difference. I think that if BlueDog and I sat down to talk about the perfect swing, it would probably end up very similar. But, each of us would probably approach it slightly different. As far as understanding reciprocal inhibition, maybe this will help. The patellar reflex is an example of this process. You relax your leg, the doctor taps your knee and the quads fire, immediately, as the hamstrings stretch, a process called reciprocal innervation occurs which innervates the hamstrings from contracting. If you tense your leg and the doctor taps your knee your quads will not fire as rapidly and effectiently and the hamstrings will not be inhibited as well due to the fact the the inhibition is triggered by stretching rather than contracting the muscle. Inhibition in hitting will occur when the muscles that need to contract, do so quickly and the antagonist muscles are instantly inhibited. This does not occur due to tensing the antagonist or agonist groups prior to the rapid contraction that occurs during the swing. I also want to add that I thoroughly appreciate all the productive information that I have read and discussed on this forum. It really makes you think. I have picked up some good terms that I like that may help convey messages to the kids more clearly.
Your example with the doctor does not interact with swinging a bat....
To have enough bat quickness to hit a 90 m.p.h. fastball requires a body load/unload....A very specific and dynamic load/unload of the muscles.....If your muscles are relaxed, you're dead meat.....
To have enough bat quickness to hit a 90 m.p.h. fastball requires a body load/unload....A very specific and dynamic load/unload of the muscles.....If your muscles are relaxed, you're dead meat.....
quote:Originally posted by BlueDog:
The problem with instruction is that too many see what they want to see....
Swinging a bat, flying a plane or learning any subject is best done without unnecessary complication. Clear and concise.
In your zeal to seem omniscient, you missed that point.
Problem is, you don't understand clear and concise....You, too, see what you want to see.....Not, what is really there....
Keep it real simple
See ball.........Hit ball
See ball.........Hit ball
Blue Dog
You dont understand --ANSWER-- you never give oone with a question being involved or a condescending remark
Why dont you try to stop knocking everyone who tries to ofer an opinion--that is what this site is all about--opinions and thoughts from baseball people not posts knocking everyone who offers an opinion-- you know BD you might learn something by listening
You dont understand --ANSWER-- you never give oone with a question being involved or a condescending remark
Why dont you try to stop knocking everyone who tries to ofer an opinion--that is what this site is all about--opinions and thoughts from baseball people not posts knocking everyone who offers an opinion-- you know BD you might learn something by listening
When a player "vertically stacks" at setup he takes virtually all tension out. When he goes to load, he does put tension in the stance prior to hitting. Even if the hitter sets up without vertically stacking, but with any bend in the knees, there has to be tension. As far as the upper body, the hands are generally loose until the bat is initiated.
Have you ever seen a boxer that is totally tense and tight. He cannot fire the punches in. He starts loose, weave bob talk weave get things in motion then POW! Try to throw a punch totally tense to start. However, try to throw a punch without tensing at all. Cannot happen. I think you guys are all correct.
However, BlueDog is criptically right. You are tense at load, just like a boxer. However, as a hitter you start loose.
I heard Cruk say that he went to load when the pitcher went to load. " I showed him my hip pocket, when he showed me his." No he did not. He went to load when the pitcher landed. And I'm sorry the backside rotation does not lead the swing, I CAN prove that. The hands lead the swing or it is simultaneous, no exceptions.
Have you ever seen a boxer that is totally tense and tight. He cannot fire the punches in. He starts loose, weave bob talk weave get things in motion then POW! Try to throw a punch totally tense to start. However, try to throw a punch without tensing at all. Cannot happen. I think you guys are all correct.
However, BlueDog is criptically right. You are tense at load, just like a boxer. However, as a hitter you start loose.
I heard Cruk say that he went to load when the pitcher went to load. " I showed him my hip pocket, when he showed me his." No he did not. He went to load when the pitcher landed. And I'm sorry the backside rotation does not lead the swing, I CAN prove that. The hands lead the swing or it is simultaneous, no exceptions.
OK baseballpapa, prove it.
At land, the player's hips turn. If that lead the swing they would NEVER hold up on a pitch. The hip turn creates tension that increases bat speed. It does precede the hands. However, the hands have to lead the swing or not swing. The ball call, or no swing occurs even with the early hip rotation.
Frank Robinson
I beg to differ. Check this clip of Frank Robinson and watch how much his hips rotate before the hands start.
I beg to differ. Check this clip of Frank Robinson and watch how much his hips rotate before the hands start.
I went on MLB and looked at Bonds, Pujols, and others. Everyone of them have their hips move before the hands like you describe. I am in agreement. However, how does a hitter NOT swing. The hands have to be separate at least to the degree a hitter can hold up. His hips rotate whether he swings or not (to that degree).
I like the clip. I need a lesson on collecting them. How does everyone get them?
Robinson started with really low hands compared to most hitters. Why start higher versus low? I always heard that a hitter has a tendancy of pulling front shoulder early if the hands are too low and that gravity should help feed the bathead. Is that all wrong?
I like the clip. I need a lesson on collecting them. How does everyone get them?
Robinson started with really low hands compared to most hitters. Why start higher versus low? I always heard that a hitter has a tendancy of pulling front shoulder early if the hands are too low and that gravity should help feed the bathead. Is that all wrong?
quote:and that gravity should help feed the bathead. Is that all wrong?
Yes, it's wrong, if your goal is a high level swing........
MLB hitters rotate the hips into foot plant....The hips are rotating before the front foot comes down.....
The brain makes the decision to swing, or not to swing....If the decision is not to swing, the shoulders don't rotate.....The hands and arms connect to the shoulders and follow their lead.....
It's about hips and shoulders, not arms and hands....
The brain makes the decision to swing, or not to swing....If the decision is not to swing, the shoulders don't rotate.....The hands and arms connect to the shoulders and follow their lead.....
It's about hips and shoulders, not arms and hands....
quote:Originally posted by BlueDog:
MLB hitters rotate the hips into foot plant....The hips are rotating before the front foot comes down.....
The brain makes the decision to swing, or not to swing....If the decision is not to swing, the shoulders don't rotate.....The hands and arms connect to the shoulders and follow their lead.....
It's about hips and shoulders, not arms and hands....
It's about the whole body,including the hips, shoulders, hands, arms, legs etc.
bbScout... great pic of Robinson.. you can see (barely) how much his hips have opened before the top half really gets working... (torque)
and to whoever it was saying hands/arms go first... STOP! Hips will always lead the hands in a productive, efficient swing...
that would be like saying a pitcher leads with his hands/arms...
and BBscout-where do you get those clips - keep em coming...
and to whoever it was saying hands/arms go first... STOP! Hips will always lead the hands in a productive, efficient swing...
that would be like saying a pitcher leads with his hands/arms...
and BBscout-where do you get those clips - keep em coming...
I am not sure that anyone has said that the hands are out in front of the hips. Hopefully not. I think what some are saying, myself at least, is that the thought process is to commit to the swing with the hands. The hips will be out in front slightly, but this will prevent the hips from flying and dragging the bat through the zone. This is a cue that has always worked for my kids, it is always accompanied with a visual and practice. I tell my kids to set early, load, and start with their hands. This what is actually happening? No. But it helps them stay connected and use the whole body in perfect timing.
If you teach kids how to move their middle, you won't have to tell them things that ain't really happening.... 
