Here's a spreadsheet I made over the summer to compare velocities and reaction times from different distances. What a good time to post and made public. (Thanks google docs!!!)
http://spreadsheets.google.com...glpb90ag&output=html
Hey BlueDog you said I have it least right, could you explain why I do? I'm not questioning your intelligence, just want to know your opinion. It's very hard to know your opinion considering you write very short posts that seem to add nothing to the conversation.
So would you be able to explain why I am the least right? Thanks Blue.
Bobby, what do you mean by waiting longer. I don't try to start sooner,per se, I just try to be fully loaded by the time the pitcher is ready to throw. In high school, I could still be loading while the pitcher is ready to throw because the pitcher would only be throwing 70s. However, as the pitch speed gets faster I cannot load in the same way, hence I need to load earlier. Does that make sense? Thanks for your opinion.
So would you be able to explain why I am the least right? Thanks Blue.
Bobby, what do you mean by waiting longer. I don't try to start sooner,per se, I just try to be fully loaded by the time the pitcher is ready to throw. In high school, I could still be loading while the pitcher is ready to throw because the pitcher would only be throwing 70s. However, as the pitch speed gets faster I cannot load in the same way, hence I need to load earlier. Does that make sense? Thanks for your opinion.
quote:Originally posted by johnny appleseed:
Bobby, what do you mean by waiting longer. I don't try to start sooner,per se, I just try to be fully loaded by the time the pitcher is ready to throw. In high school, I could still be loading while the pitcher is ready to throw because the pitcher would only be throwing 70s. However, as the pitch speed gets faster I cannot load in the same way, hence I need to load earlier. Does that make sense? Thanks for your opinion.
The bolded part above is exactly what I mean. Starting the load sooner and starting the swing sooner are very different discussions. If you are starting your swing early - committing earlier because the pitch is faster - you will be in trouble. If you are loading appropriately and staying back, waiting to see the pitch and reacting, you have will have a chance.
Hitting 90 mph isn't too bad (as long as it isn't moving too much!) when you see it every day, so definitely practice it. The spreadsheet I posted should help you to simulate reaction speeds pretty accurated without cranking up a machine. Seeing the pitch out of the hand makes a huge difference. Just don't commit too early!
Bobby that is a nice spreadsheet thanks for your efforts.
1. Up Toss
2. Drills that increase early recognition, vision, and hand-eye coordination
2. Drills that increase early recognition, vision, and hand-eye coordination
Drills won't do it....
Efficient body movement will......Learn how to sequence your body movement....
Efficient body movement will......Learn how to sequence your body movement....
Drills that actually FORCE your body to swing faster than it can will do it...The up toss realy forces your hands to be quick.
Also when you are on the on deck circle, do not swing a weighted bat. Swing a LIGHTER bat (15% ligther) 5-8 times...This teaches your body to swing a bat quickly...sounds crazy but it works
Also when you are on the on deck circle, do not swing a weighted bat. Swing a LIGHTER bat (15% ligther) 5-8 times...This teaches your body to swing a bat quickly...sounds crazy but it works
quote:Originally posted by BlueDog:
Drills won't do it....
Efficient body movement will......Learn how to sequence your body movement....
Blue Dog- That's exactly it. The problem is that you need to talk about how to sequence the kinetic chain properly. Does no good to tell them the answer if you don't show them your work.
If someone at least knows the problem, then, you would think they would research the answer, wouldn't you?....I sure would.....
Instead, these conversations turn into smokescreen stuff like stance and stride....
Instead, these conversations turn into smokescreen stuff like stance and stride....
quote:Originally posted by BlueDog:
If someone at least knows the problem, then, you would think they would research the answer, wouldn't you?....I sure would.....
Instead, these conversations turn into smokescreen stuff like stance and stride....
Sounds like you don't want to put yourself on the line. It does no good to just detect a flaw without having an answer to fix it. It's easy to detect.
quote:Also when you are on the on deck circle, do not swing a weighted bat. Swing a LIGHTER bat (15% ligther) 5-8 times...This teaches your body to swing a bat quickly...sounds crazy but it works
Why not just learn how to swing the bat you hit with quickly?....That'll make your bag lighter to carry....
ncball,
Appears Bluedog has already been neutered...doesn't have the equipment to lay on the line. 3850 posts and none with an answer; gotta be a record.
Personally, I think Bluedoggie might know a little bit but wastes the knowledge trying to be cute.
Appears Bluedog has already been neutered...doesn't have the equipment to lay on the line. 3850 posts and none with an answer; gotta be a record.
Personally, I think Bluedoggie might know a little bit but wastes the knowledge trying to be cute.
quote:Sounds like you don't want to put yourself on the line. It does no good to just detect a flaw without having an answer to fix it. It's easy to detect.
OK, you tell us the answer....We're listening.....
BlueDog
He has never given an answer--does he really know anything???
And he talks about smokescreens !
He has never given an answer--does he really know anything???
And he talks about smokescreens !
I believe BlueDog has knowledge... it is different and people will get all over him for it. I want him to open up too, but I think everybody who criticizes him needs to stand up and swing before they comment against him.
It's amazing how quick people disappear around here......
All of a sudden they get very busy....Ya know, forgot to call someone
TRhit always says the kind of stuff that nobody cares much about....So, please forgive him....I do....Although, he was right about something awhile back....Can't recall just what it was about, but, it did stick with me that he got something right once.....
All of a sudden they get very busy....Ya know, forgot to call someone
TRhit always says the kind of stuff that nobody cares much about....So, please forgive him....I do....Although, he was right about something awhile back....Can't recall just what it was about, but, it did stick with me that he got something right once.....
BlueDog,
If it is a sequence, what it step 1?
If it is a sequence, what it step 1?
Trigger
Load, sit on back leg
Read
Go, don't bleed forward, turn on it getting back hip cleared through
Maintain firm front side, closed foot
Finnish
I think the key is using your hands to control the barrel versus using the arms. I think the problem is most people don't understand, see, or feel the difference. The arms can catch up to 80-85, but beyond that you have to start too early and get into trouble.
Mr. Tewks, I have step #1 as, the first thing to move is the hips......
I don't like the word, "load".....It has too many meanings and can be confusing....
So, from the stance, the first thing to move is the hips....Beginning what many call the negative move...
I do agree with you that using the hands to control the barrel is a key to the swing....
The hands moving is step #2 in my teaching...
I don't like the word, "load".....It has too many meanings and can be confusing....
So, from the stance, the first thing to move is the hips....Beginning what many call the negative move...
I do agree with you that using the hands to control the barrel is a key to the swing....
The hands moving is step #2 in my teaching...
I am not a "teacher", Blue Dog claims he is but we have never heard where or who he teaches but I can speak from experience with my players--- if the kid is a good hitter to begin with all he needs is time in BP facing the speed/slider etc and he will be fine-- we need not get into teachers and theories because every teacher/instructor has a different one--if the kid can hit he will adapt with practice and time
Two places a hitter needs to have torque are the mid-section and the hands....
So, instead of using the word "load", I use "set the torque".....
Some people would say, load the hands and load the back hip....That just doesn't do it for me....
Torque in the mid-section is where I believe many people get it wrong....Because there is, both, vertical and horizontal torque involved....To explain further, torque between the upper and lower body and torque between the front and back hip....
To understand torque, I tell them to think of it as stretch.....
So, instead of using the word "load", I use "set the torque".....
Some people would say, load the hands and load the back hip....That just doesn't do it for me....
Torque in the mid-section is where I believe many people get it wrong....Because there is, both, vertical and horizontal torque involved....To explain further, torque between the upper and lower body and torque between the front and back hip....
To understand torque, I tell them to think of it as stretch.....
Floridafan, makes some good points, but, is not so right on some things, IMO...
Closed front foot?...No, IMO....
And, don't bleed forward?....Sure, but, it's not enough to say, don't do it.....Showing how to set the torque gets this done.....
Getting back hip cleared through?...You bet....But, you need to know it should clear through before the back hip actually fires....
Closed front foot?...No, IMO....
And, don't bleed forward?....Sure, but, it's not enough to say, don't do it.....Showing how to set the torque gets this done.....
Getting back hip cleared through?...You bet....But, you need to know it should clear through before the back hip actually fires....
BlueDog,
How do you explain the word "torque" to players? In regards to "catching up to top speeds" the word torque isn't the first to come to mind, but I know what you are getting at. I have found that the word torque, especially with younger players, can create trouble in their heads.
How do you explain the word "torque" to players? In regards to "catching up to top speeds" the word torque isn't the first to come to mind, but I know what you are getting at. I have found that the word torque, especially with younger players, can create trouble in their heads.
Many, many years ago in the Basin League, I had the
opportunity to hit against Bob Gibson. This was one year before he joined the Cardinals.
Under the "dim" lights, the ball looked like an aspirin tablet.
It was a question of survival. Deep in the box, guessing fastball, listening to the sound of the ball, I placed the bat over the plate and hit a HR.
Bobby showed the reaction time on a 95 MPH fastball.
If this fast ball"moves", a professional hitter will guess fastball or slider based on the count, the score, the advance scout's reports, the weather, the wind, the park and the pitcher's patterns today.
"this is called proper thinking"
Bob
opportunity to hit against Bob Gibson. This was one year before he joined the Cardinals.
Under the "dim" lights, the ball looked like an aspirin tablet.
It was a question of survival. Deep in the box, guessing fastball, listening to the sound of the ball, I placed the bat over the plate and hit a HR.
Bobby showed the reaction time on a 95 MPH fastball.
If this fast ball"moves", a professional hitter will guess fastball or slider based on the count, the score, the advance scout's reports, the weather, the wind, the park and the pitcher's patterns today.
"this is called proper thinking"
Bob
quote:How do you explain the word "torque" to players?
Well, certain parts of the body moving in opposite directions....
From the stance, when the hips move first, they are both moving negatively together and not torquing, but, they are moving toward setting the torque....Most would call this loading the back hip.....I call it setting the torque.....The torque is set when the front hip stops moving negatively and turns slightly positive...The back hip has set itself, is pulling negatively against a positively pulling front hip....
The word, "loading", has a connotation that you get to a certain position and you will be loaded....IOW, just sit on the back hip and it's loaded...And, it's simply not so...
We are getting outstanding morsels now! I like what you are saying. Keep going.
quote:Originally posted by BlueDog:quote:How do you explain the word "torque" to players?
Well, certain parts of the body moving in opposite directions....
From the stance, when the hips move first, they are both moving negatively together and not torquing, but, they are moving toward setting the torque....Most would call this loading the back hip.....I call it setting the torque.....The torque is set when the front hip stops moving negatively and turns slightly positive...The back hip has set itself, is pulling negatively against a positively pulling front hip....
The word, "loading", has a connotation that you get to a certain position and you will be loaded....IOW, just sit on the back hip and it's loaded...And, it's simply not so...
I don't think sitting ON the back hip is right either. It is more IN the back hip. Load is vague, but I have to be honest that I am confused by your explanation of torque - and I know what you are trying to say! I kind of like the phrasing "set the torque" because it is an active phrase.
I like to ask players to create resistance/tension in the rear hip. Sometimes I will ask them to try to push their rear foot into the ground with their rear hip.
Back to this thread, way too many hitters do not even give this loading/set the torque position and therefor need to get power from somewhere other than the hip/torque. Most often it is the arms/shoulders, which creates bat drag and great difficulty hitting anything 85+.
quote:Originally posted by BlueDog:quote:How do you explain the word "torque" to players?
Well, certain parts of the body moving in opposite directions....
From the stance, when the hips move first, they are both moving negatively together and not torquing, but, they are moving toward setting the torque....Most would call this loading the back hip.....I call it setting the torque.....The torque is set when the front hip stops moving negatively and turns slightly positive...The back hip has set itself, is pulling negatively against a positively pulling front hip....
The word, "loading", has a connotation that you get to a certain position and you will be loaded....IOW, just sit on the back hip and it's loaded...And, it's simply not so...
Good stuff, Blue!
quote:I like to ask players to create resistance/tension in the rear hip. Sometimes I will ask them to try to push their rear foot into the ground with their rear hip.
Mr. Tewks, I know you're a hands guy and the hands are important....But, the resistance in the back hip does not come from the ground in MLB hitters....
quote:.......I have to be honest that I am confused by your explanation of torque - and I know what you are trying to say!
Are you sure you know what I'm saying?
BlueDog Nice information on Torque. When I reference torque in terms of instruction I tell my students to think of their spinal column as a rotational axis or pivot point. Then simplistically explain that torque is two opposing forces causing the rotation about an axis. I.e. the spinal column. If you could look at the body from above during a rotational swing this is easier to see. Front hip moves in one direction (backwards) and the back hip in another (forwards) causing rotation of the body. I think Ted Williams had an illustration of this in the "Science of Hitting" but may not have explained in in actual scientific detail.
When you are saying both the hips are moving negatively in the "setting the back hip to torque" "loading the hips" etc., you mean in contrast to what direction each of them move during the the actual swing rotation. The movements of the hips during the actual swing rotation is the positive movement correct?
The torque in the hands is the pivot point or rotational axis at a point between the hands on the bat. Top hand "pushes" and the bottom hand "pulls" around this axis point causing torque as the hands move towards the baseball during extension.
When you are saying both the hips are moving negatively in the "setting the back hip to torque" "loading the hips" etc., you mean in contrast to what direction each of them move during the the actual swing rotation. The movements of the hips during the actual swing rotation is the positive movement correct?
The torque in the hands is the pivot point or rotational axis at a point between the hands on the bat. Top hand "pushes" and the bottom hand "pulls" around this axis point causing torque as the hands move towards the baseball during extension.
quote:Originally posted by BlueDog:
Mr. Tewks, I know you're a hands guy and the hands are important....But, the resistance in the back hip does not come from the ground in MLB hitters...
Can you tell me how you define "hands guy" before I agree?
I believe you are trying to say the load is not static.
quote:Can you tell me how you define "hands guy" before I agree?
Just the impression I get from talking with you that you place alot of emphasis on the hands in swinging a bat....
So do I....I would say that I probably place a bigger emphasis on the hips, though....I really believe in getting the hips right....
quote:I believe you are trying to say the load is not static.
I would think I'm saying alot more....That would be a small part of what I'm saying....Small part, indeed.......
quote:Originally posted by BlueDog:quote:Can you tell me how you define "hands guy" before I agree?
Just the impression I get from talking with you that you place alot of emphasis on the hands in swinging a bat....
So do I....I would say that I probably place a bigger emphasis on the hips, though....I really believe in getting the hips right....quote:I believe you are trying to say the load is not static.
I would think I'm saying alot more....That would be a small part of what I'm saying....Small part, indeed.......
I believe the hips are providing power and whip to the barrel. The hands put the barrel on plane and give direction. If they work in different directions initially, then they really work together to contact... and the resulting whip allows hitters to not just catch up to top speeds, but to sit on top speeds.
For the load, I was trying to be concise. The "set the torque" cue is dynamic to me. It is a fluid movement that allows for "adjust-ability" and quick, explosive reactions.
