As my hair grows gray I look back at the many approaches I have seen and used and I draw some conclusions. One is that maybe you have to use different methods for different levels of athletes.
Some younger kids and those with less ability to synch with the pitcher might need to start in a position closer to the launch point.... Wider stance, shorter stride, bat already cocked. You can win some LL titles like this and Garciaparra did well too,
The high level swing has more arm and hand action. When pitching the thumbs break down. In batting, the same move occurs as the top hand cocks and internally rotates the real elbow.
( Thanks Tom Guerry) The cocking of the bat and internal loading of the shoulders synch with the stride to balance it , limit it , and work opposite of it to create dymanic stretch and torque. It is easy when the pattern is modeled after the pitching motion and gives the most power with less head movement and less tugging on the handle. You can handle oppo easily.
Your player must be able to start his motion in synch with the pitcher. Many young players cannot/ will not do this as it puts them in the line of flight to get hit if the pitch is off line. Unfortunately the optimum hitting position is the most vulnerable for the batter because his muscle activity is on offense not defense
These guys will have to 'shorten up". I define this is getting cloer to the launch position, take away the arm and hand action some of the stride, and they will lose some oppo potential and some power. The amount they lose is masked by the aluminum bat....but it is a lot.
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