Can anyone provide some insight or drills on how to stop a hitter from drifting to the pitcher?
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Swingbuster Stay Back Hitters. Sold At Baseball Express for 104.99. I've heard many people talk about how good it is, and it was given five stars by the people who use it.
quote:Originally posted by mathteacherinky:
Can anyone provide some insight or drills on how to stop a hitter from drifting to the pitcher?
You'll need to post some video for me to be sure, but it could be that he isn't loading his hands against his stride.
quote:Originally posted by powertoallfields:quote:Originally posted by mathteacherinky:
Can anyone provide some insight or drills on how to stop a hitter from drifting to the pitcher?
You'll need to post some video for me to be sure, but it could be that he isn't loading his hands against his stride.
That is an excellent insight. As a matter of fact a college coach mentioned the same thing to him this summer. How can that be corrected if that is indeed the mechanical problem?
quote:Originally posted by mathteacherinky:quote:Originally posted by powertoallfields:quote:Originally posted by mathteacherinky:
Can anyone provide some insight or drills on how to stop a hitter from drifting to the pitcher?
You'll need to post some video for me to be sure, but it could be that he isn't loading his hands against his stride.
That is an excellent insight. As a matter of fact a college coach mentioned the same thing to him this summer. How can that be corrected if that is indeed the mechanical problem?
Have him stride with his back foot to move his back hip forward. As he does that, he needs to load his hands toward the Catcher by PULLING HIS HANDS BACK TOWARD THE CATCHER USING THE FINGERS OF HIS TOP HAND, LIKE THE STRING OF A BOW. Don't let him load them by pushing them back with his front arm. He should apply steady pressure with the inside of his back foot to move himself out, the load length should match the hands (fully loaded) and front foot at touchdown. Start with his feet together and the bat verticle at his front shoulder. Practice the timing. Then, shorten the stride and hand load to a distance that feels comfortable.
Sometimes, what causes the drifting isn't as much mechanical as it is mental!
The hitter feels he needs to see the ball better and this is a form of "squinting". Or, they feel like they can't get around quick enough, so they try to "cheat" by moving the body or arms forward too soon.
What happens is just the opposite. They actually slow their bat down by drifting.
One drill that worked for my boy was instead of soft toss, we did "drop-toss".
I stood on a ladder slightly in front of him, and dropped the ball into the hitting zone, while making sure he was looking straight ahead.
After he figured out the timing, he had the confidence to wait on the pitch. No more drifting!
Joe Maurer's Dad actually developed a training aid that basically does this drill. I bought one and it works great!
http://www.mauersquickswing.co...ut-mauers-quickswing
The hitter feels he needs to see the ball better and this is a form of "squinting". Or, they feel like they can't get around quick enough, so they try to "cheat" by moving the body or arms forward too soon.
What happens is just the opposite. They actually slow their bat down by drifting.
One drill that worked for my boy was instead of soft toss, we did "drop-toss".
I stood on a ladder slightly in front of him, and dropped the ball into the hitting zone, while making sure he was looking straight ahead.
After he figured out the timing, he had the confidence to wait on the pitch. No more drifting!
Joe Maurer's Dad actually developed a training aid that basically does this drill. I bought one and it works great!
http://www.mauersquickswing.co...ut-mauers-quickswing
quote:Originally posted by gitnby:
Sometimes, what causes the drifting isn't as much mechanical as it is mental!
The hitter feels he needs to see the ball better and this is a form of "squinting". Or, they feel like they can't get around quick enough, so they try to "cheat" by moving the body or arms forward too soon.
What happens is just the opposite. They actually slow their bat down by drifting.
One drill that worked for my boy was instead of soft toss, we did "drop-toss".
I stood on a ladder slightly in front of him, and dropped the ball into the hitting zone, while making sure he was looking straight ahead.
After he figured out the timing, he had the confidence to wait on the pitch. No more drifting!
Joe Maurer's Dad actually developed a training aid that basically does this drill. I bought one and it works great!
http://www.mauersquickswing.co...ut-mauers-quickswing
It works to speed your brain, hands and body, but it doesn't teach good mechanics. It can be a great short term tool, but that's about all it's good for.
If you read my post, the first line says:
Your solution makes sense if the issue is purely mechanical.
In my Son's case, his mechanics were good, but he lapsed into some drifting, particularly against the soft-tossers.
Regarding the Quick Swing approach, I disagree that it is only a short-term solution. Theoretically, every adjustment is a short-term solution if they don't understand the concept and repeat it in every swing.
What it did for my Son was make him believe he could stay back, and still get around on any pitch.
quote:Sometimes, what causes the drifting isn't as much mechanical as it is mental!
Your solution makes sense if the issue is purely mechanical.
In my Son's case, his mechanics were good, but he lapsed into some drifting, particularly against the soft-tossers.
Regarding the Quick Swing approach, I disagree that it is only a short-term solution. Theoretically, every adjustment is a short-term solution if they don't understand the concept and repeat it in every swing.
What it did for my Son was make him believe he could stay back, and still get around on any pitch.
quote:Originally posted by gitnby:
If you read my post, the first line says:quote:Sometimes, what causes the drifting isn't as much mechanical as it is mental!
Your solution makes sense if the issue is purely mechanical.
In my Son's case, his mechanics were good, but he lapsed into some drifting, particularly against the soft-tossers.
Regarding the Quick Swing approach, I disagree that it is only a short-term solution. Theoretically, every adjustment is a short-term solution if they don't understand the concept and repeat it in every swing.
What it did for my Son was make him believe he could stay back, and still get around on any pitch.
I just don't see how you can time your load and unload optimally when you can't see the ball coming. I believe it teaches you to spin with your hips, shoulders and feet and that is not practicing good mechanics, IMO.
There is a little red light on the Quick Swing that flashes just before the ball is released. That is the signal to load, just as some hitters load as soon as they see the ball leaving the pitcher's hand, or whatever "trigger" they use.
Never had a problem with spinning hips,shoulders or feet.
Anyway, it worked for my Son, and it worked for Joe Mauer.
(That will definitely be the only time my Son and Joe Mauer will ever be mentioned in the same sentence!)
Never had a problem with spinning hips,shoulders or feet.
Anyway, it worked for my Son, and it worked for Joe Mauer.
(That will definitely be the only time my Son and Joe Mauer will ever be mentioned in the same sentence!)
quote:Originally posted by gitnby:
There is a little red light on the Quick Swing that flashes just before the ball is released. That is the signal to load, just as some hitters load as soon as they see the ball leaving the pitcher's hand, or whatever "trigger" they use.
Never had a problem with spinning hips,shoulders or feet.
Anyway, it worked for my Son, and it worked for Joe Mauer.
(That will definitely be the only time my Son and Joe Mauer will ever be mentioned in the same sentence!)
Mine didn't have a red light on it. You must have a newer model. Anyway, if you say that works as a cue to trigger and you haven't had any of the problems I mentioned, then I defer to your experiences.
Fellas,
Proper techniques entered into the mechanics of each individual player at all positions is very important and advantageous to excellent execution of their baseball playing abilities, and I think that "PITCHING" and "HITTING" are the most ill coached by people who do not have a clue of how to "TEACH" either position, abused, unnecessary tinkering with and malpracticed positions of the game, There are certain absolutes within pitching and hitting that when strayed away from destroys successful execution of hitting the ball consistently right on the nose or throwing the ball consistently where one wants to with excellent command as of course there are within every position.I feel that too many people make hitting and pitching in particular entirely too difficult, at least that is what I observe while viewing many ball games at all age groups and levels, It is obvious to me that these people need to learn how to "TEACH" which is the prerequisite to coaching.
Batters and pitchers desperately need an experienced to be "TAUGHT" how to use their whole body from the ground up,using the hips properly with both lower body and upper body rotation, separation executed at the proper time, etc.
Pitchers in particular desperately need an experienced, knowledgeable and competent pitching "TEACHER" who is capable of "TEACHING" them how to use their whole body's from the ground up to alleviate the enormous abuse and strain that is created by the unnatural act of throwing a baseball.
There are several different ways in the attempt to successfully alleviate drifting or taking your weight out over your front foot, committing too early to the downward flight of the ball, chasing the ball too far out front of strike zone, however you want to term it, the bottom line lies on the mental side of the equation,no matter what enters your mind positively or negatively directs your body either positively or negatively, "YOUR MIND" "LEADS"YOUR BODY""NO EXCEPTIONS"and whatever method you use to make whatever adjustment is needed for improvement one must work on it regularly and consistently enough for the mind to tell the body enough times for the body to be able to regularly execute the new adjustment, get the old out of the mind and body and get the new in the mind and body.
Now to get back to the actual drifting problem, what I do is familiarize my players with their imaginary vertical rotation line running from the ground up through the center of their body"HIPS" through the center of their upper body,"TORSO" and up through the top of their heads, and also that the belly button is their center of gravity, and that their hips, shoulders and head need to stay centered up over their center of gravity and when they keep their hips and heads properly centered they will not drift, I get each one in their stance and, get behind them, put my hand on their foreheads and have them attempt to move their heads forward so each one can feel the difference,let them pair off and do this, if you do not move your head forward you simply cannot move your weight,"DRIFT" onto your front foot, remember though, thoughts entering your mind creates body actions, "MIND" first "BODY" second, with regular and consistent application makes for improvement, work on this and the other excellent advice from the guys on this page and you will correct the drifting problem, Also work with them on their strike zone, they must let the ball enter deep enough into the strike zone to enable them to make good hard contact,isolate their pull field and concentrate strictly on up the middle and to the opposite field,Type in Coach Joe Brockhoff, he is the former head coach of Tulane university, he shows some excellent break downs of hitting,you will like and learn, it is much better to be able to see"VIEW" than just have someone tell you how to do it.
Good luck with conquering the drifting, committing prematuraly problem.
Don Ervin
Proper techniques entered into the mechanics of each individual player at all positions is very important and advantageous to excellent execution of their baseball playing abilities, and I think that "PITCHING" and "HITTING" are the most ill coached by people who do not have a clue of how to "TEACH" either position, abused, unnecessary tinkering with and malpracticed positions of the game, There are certain absolutes within pitching and hitting that when strayed away from destroys successful execution of hitting the ball consistently right on the nose or throwing the ball consistently where one wants to with excellent command as of course there are within every position.I feel that too many people make hitting and pitching in particular entirely too difficult, at least that is what I observe while viewing many ball games at all age groups and levels, It is obvious to me that these people need to learn how to "TEACH" which is the prerequisite to coaching.
Batters and pitchers desperately need an experienced to be "TAUGHT" how to use their whole body from the ground up,using the hips properly with both lower body and upper body rotation, separation executed at the proper time, etc.
Pitchers in particular desperately need an experienced, knowledgeable and competent pitching "TEACHER" who is capable of "TEACHING" them how to use their whole body's from the ground up to alleviate the enormous abuse and strain that is created by the unnatural act of throwing a baseball.
There are several different ways in the attempt to successfully alleviate drifting or taking your weight out over your front foot, committing too early to the downward flight of the ball, chasing the ball too far out front of strike zone, however you want to term it, the bottom line lies on the mental side of the equation,no matter what enters your mind positively or negatively directs your body either positively or negatively, "YOUR MIND" "LEADS"YOUR BODY""NO EXCEPTIONS"and whatever method you use to make whatever adjustment is needed for improvement one must work on it regularly and consistently enough for the mind to tell the body enough times for the body to be able to regularly execute the new adjustment, get the old out of the mind and body and get the new in the mind and body.
Now to get back to the actual drifting problem, what I do is familiarize my players with their imaginary vertical rotation line running from the ground up through the center of their body"HIPS" through the center of their upper body,"TORSO" and up through the top of their heads, and also that the belly button is their center of gravity, and that their hips, shoulders and head need to stay centered up over their center of gravity and when they keep their hips and heads properly centered they will not drift, I get each one in their stance and, get behind them, put my hand on their foreheads and have them attempt to move their heads forward so each one can feel the difference,let them pair off and do this, if you do not move your head forward you simply cannot move your weight,"DRIFT" onto your front foot, remember though, thoughts entering your mind creates body actions, "MIND" first "BODY" second, with regular and consistent application makes for improvement, work on this and the other excellent advice from the guys on this page and you will correct the drifting problem, Also work with them on their strike zone, they must let the ball enter deep enough into the strike zone to enable them to make good hard contact,isolate their pull field and concentrate strictly on up the middle and to the opposite field,Type in Coach Joe Brockhoff, he is the former head coach of Tulane university, he shows some excellent break downs of hitting,you will like and learn, it is much better to be able to see"VIEW" than just have someone tell you how to do it.
Good luck with conquering the drifting, committing prematuraly problem.
Don Ervin
When I saw your post, and saw that you were in Springfield, MO, I decided to look at your profile.
Says you're from Kansas City. I knew someone from Springfield could not possibly be that eloquent!
Springfield, I mean "Sprang-feeld" is my hometown.
I lived there before anyone outside of town had ever heard of Johnny Morris(Bass Pro Shop) or John Q Hammonds (Hotel magnate), or the O'Reilly's.
(Auto Parts).
Payne Stewart was my best friend growing up, and he was the terror of the neighborhood!
And Leong's was the only place to get Cashew Chicken.
Have a house at Table Rock now.
Thanks for the info!
Says you're from Kansas City. I knew someone from Springfield could not possibly be that eloquent!
Springfield, I mean "Sprang-feeld" is my hometown.
I lived there before anyone outside of town had ever heard of Johnny Morris(Bass Pro Shop) or John Q Hammonds (Hotel magnate), or the O'Reilly's.
(Auto Parts).
Payne Stewart was my best friend growing up, and he was the terror of the neighborhood!
And Leong's was the only place to get Cashew Chicken.
Have a house at Table Rock now.
Thanks for the info!
Drill for drifting:
Take an old tire (large tractor tire) and place it flat on the ground behind the hitters back foot, have the heel up with the toes on the ground with the foot slightly bent (as if a completed swing)as the players swings the foot should not leave the tire. If the player drifts, his foot will pull away from the tire.
This exercise will force the hitter to stay back at contact with the head slightly behind the bat and the foot in the same position as he started. Have the hitter hold his stance after completing the swing and check mechanics making sure the back knee is bent toward the frond side and the foot still on the tire. The barrel should be below the shoulder, not above the shoulder with a full completed swing.
Another checkpoint, make sure the barrel is slightly trailing the hands at contact, you do not want the barrel leading the swing.
Take an old tire (large tractor tire) and place it flat on the ground behind the hitters back foot, have the heel up with the toes on the ground with the foot slightly bent (as if a completed swing)as the players swings the foot should not leave the tire. If the player drifts, his foot will pull away from the tire.
This exercise will force the hitter to stay back at contact with the head slightly behind the bat and the foot in the same position as he started. Have the hitter hold his stance after completing the swing and check mechanics making sure the back knee is bent toward the frond side and the foot still on the tire. The barrel should be below the shoulder, not above the shoulder with a full completed swing.
Another checkpoint, make sure the barrel is slightly trailing the hands at contact, you do not want the barrel leading the swing.
quote:Originally posted by Clint Taylor:
Drill for drifting:
Take an old tire (large tractor tire) and place it flat on the ground behind the hitters back foot, have the heel up with the toes on the ground with the foot slightly bent (as if a completed swing)as the players swings the foot should not leave the tire. If the player drifts, his foot will pull away from the tire.
This exercise will force the hitter to stay back at contact with the head slightly behind the bat and the foot in the same position as he started. Have the hitter hold his stance after completing the swing and check mechanics making sure the back knee is bent toward the frond side and the foot still on the tire. The barrel should be below the shoulder, not above the shoulder with a full completed swing.
Another checkpoint, make sure the barrel is slightly trailing the hands at contact, you do not want the barrel leading the swing.
Bandaides only mask the underlying problem. The drill you cite may help with moving forward during the swing, but the problem is that your back foot should move forward during the swing and weight does need to be transfered, but only during the swing, not before.
I understand there are many different ways to teach hitting but I am not sure why you consider this a bandaid approach??
What you describe sounds like linear hitting and does teach the hitter to move their back foot forward at contact.
I prescribe and teach rotational hitting which keeps the body balanced throughout the swing, with the hitter's head slightly behind the bat and not moving forward at contact. To me , this would promote contact hitting and drifting forward rather than hitting through the baseball using the strength of your core muscles.
What you describe sounds like linear hitting and does teach the hitter to move their back foot forward at contact.
I prescribe and teach rotational hitting which keeps the body balanced throughout the swing, with the hitter's head slightly behind the bat and not moving forward at contact. To me , this would promote contact hitting and drifting forward rather than hitting through the baseball using the strength of your core muscles.
quote:Originally posted by Clint Taylor:
I understand there are many different ways to teach hitting but I am not sure why you consider this a bandaid approach??
What you describe sounds like linear hitting and does teach the hitter to move their back foot forward at contact.
I prescribe and teach rotational hitting which keeps the body balanced throughout the swing, with the hitter's head slightly behind the bat and not moving forward at contact. To me , this would promote contact hitting and drifting forward rather than hitting through the baseball using the strength of your core muscles.
When you transfer weight throughout your swing, the rear foot will move forward (maybe just the heel in some hitters). Every MLB hitter I've ever seen moves his rear foot forward, some even leave the ground. The drifting problem is happening because he can't control his weight over his back thigh until go. He is transfering his weight and then swinging, not good!
I'm not saying drifting is a good thing, but aren't there some major league guys who drift. I mentioned this to a hitting coach and he said that A-Rod does this.
I'm not comparing any amateur to A-Rod but like anything else some players can overcome perceived flaws.
I'm not comparing any amateur to A-Rod but like anything else some players can overcome perceived flaws.
quote:Originally posted by powertoallfields:quote:Originally posted by mathteacherinky:quote:Originally posted by powertoallfields:quote:Originally posted by mathteacherinky:
Can anyone provide some insight or drills on how to stop a hitter from drifting to the pitcher?
You'll need to post some video for me to be sure, but it could be that he isn't loading his hands against his stride.
That is an excellent insight. As a matter of fact a college coach mentioned the same thing to him this summer. How can that be corrected if that is indeed the mechanical problem?
Have him stride with his back foot to move his back hip forward. As he does that, he needs to load his hands toward the Catcher by PULLING HIS HANDS BACK TOWARD THE CATCHER USING THE FINGERS OF HIS TOP HAND, LIKE THE STRING OF A BOW. Don't let him load them by pushing them back with his front arm. He should apply steady pressure with the inside of his back foot to move himself out, the load length should match the hands (fully loaded) and front foot at touchdown. Start with his feet together and the bat verticle at his front shoulder. Practice the timing. Then, shorten the stride and hand load to a distance that feels comfortable.
oh and remember to stay connected
IMHO,
drill
Swinging is physical. Hitting is mental. Is the root cause of the drifting physical/mechanical, or is it more mental/approach?
Remove the timing aspect to see if it's a physical/swing problem. Does he drift when taking dry swings or when hitting off a tee? How about during soft toss? My guess is no.
This takes you into the mental aspect. Drifting against slow pitching makes me think that timing/approach is the problem - which would also likely show up against off-speed pitching.
Is this happening as well? (As powertoallfields said, video would be great.)
Remove the timing aspect to see if it's a physical/swing problem. Does he drift when taking dry swings or when hitting off a tee? How about during soft toss? My guess is no.
This takes you into the mental aspect. Drifting against slow pitching makes me think that timing/approach is the problem - which would also likely show up against off-speed pitching.
Is this happening as well? (As powertoallfields said, video would be great.)
I only have two suggestions.
If the "drifting" is occuring only on off speed pitches, then it is probably a problem in pitch recognition. One drill I like to use with my guys is soft toss. In the soft toss drill, I will alternate regular soft toss throws with high and out front ones (where they have to wait for the ball to come down). This mimicks a change up or off speed pitch and if you do this a bunch, they may get used to staying back and recognizing the pitch as opposed to going out and getting it (or drifting).
If it seems to happen most of the time, then I will try to take the variables out of the swing. I will put the player on his back knee with the front leg stretch out straight toward the pitcher. This way he has to keep his weight back in order to stay up and swing. This just takes the stride and weight transfer out of the swing. It may not correct the problem but at least the player can feel what it is like to stay back through a swing. Just another way I like to help the player "feel" what is wrong.
If the "drifting" is occuring only on off speed pitches, then it is probably a problem in pitch recognition. One drill I like to use with my guys is soft toss. In the soft toss drill, I will alternate regular soft toss throws with high and out front ones (where they have to wait for the ball to come down). This mimicks a change up or off speed pitch and if you do this a bunch, they may get used to staying back and recognizing the pitch as opposed to going out and getting it (or drifting).
If it seems to happen most of the time, then I will try to take the variables out of the swing. I will put the player on his back knee with the front leg stretch out straight toward the pitcher. This way he has to keep his weight back in order to stay up and swing. This just takes the stride and weight transfer out of the swing. It may not correct the problem but at least the player can feel what it is like to stay back through a swing. Just another way I like to help the player "feel" what is wrong.
