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!
