http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EorcDYn-xQw
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EorcDYn-xQw
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May be just a style/philosophy thing...
Check your front foot. I know you are a no-stride, lift and drop the heel guy but... You start out on a nice stacked base. Then, when you lift, you actually bring your front foot heel back toward your back foot and open your hips prematurely. This causes you to narrow your base, fall slightly back and out and roll out on the outside of your front foot instead of staying nicely stacked and hitting against a firm front side. I think if you can keep that front foot from rotating out early and maintain your nice wider stacked base, this might get you back on track.
Like I said, this might just be a style thing. I think I've seen what you are doing as a taught method.
I know you are hitting off an Iron Mike, but your swings looked rushed too me. Kinda of like jumping at the pitch if that makes sense to you. Might want to start your hands/load sooner.
Thanks again guys I appreciate the help.
Thanks again guys I appreciate the help.
I wouldn't add movement just to add movement. I would work on coiling the hips and turning the barrel with the hands so that the barrel gets behind the right shoulder.
In swings 2,3, and 4 you dropped your back elbow down without moving the bathead, which (later) caused you to have bat drag (back elbow in front of hands).
How to fix: Make sure you turn the bat head backwards as your back elbow drops.
Also any thoughts on my hips before the swing? In terms of loading them? Do you guys think they go back enough?
As you turn the barrel with your hands you should feel your scap on the right side pinching. The turning of the barrel will also force your right elbow to your side, this is where you develop the deep barrel path.
Also any thoughts on my hips before the swing? In terms of loading them? Do you guys think they go back enough?
You coil around the right hip by holding the tension in (this is how I describe it) the right side of your but muscle. Hold this tension as you swing it will eventually give on its own.
Here's my two cents worth, I think you have a good, mechanically sound swing that is inconsistent because the "slow" moves at the start aren't slow.
I'm referring to the parts of your swing from stance to toe touch. Find a YouTube vid of Pujols (preferably one where he starts from a very wide stance, stands his front heel up, moves his toes 4-5", and drops the heel and turns it loose) and you'll see that, like you, he is wide w/ little or no stride. BUT THE BIG DIFFERENCE is that even though he is wide he stills has a small amount of slow, linear movement toward the pitcher.
It is starting "slow" that allows us to adjust to speed. If our first move in hitting is fast it makes it very difficult to adjust to (off) speed.
You can light the arm machine up, because the velocity is very consistent. Pitchers aren't, and I think that may be why hitting is suddenly more difficult for you.
Incidentally, this is why I've removed the arm type pitching machine from our cage. That Ferris wheel type delivery is hard to anticipate, and IMHO it was causing our hitters to start w/ fast movements and swing in a barrel. Both of which hinder bat speed and the ability to adjust.
Just a comment, your should really take a small step instead of a toe tap. Bring your hands back a little, doesn't have to be with the load, it can be from the start, and trying keeping two hands on the bat. I know it sounds childish but try this out.
Slow down the speed, take bp, and bring the hands straight to the ball. Incorporate a load into your swing. Not a huge one bat having one is essential.
One more comment you look like your "popping" yourself up during the swing. NOT a good thing to do, this will change your vision of the ball, and really mess you up. Make sure you stay low the whole time. If the pitch is too high that you have to "pop" to hit it, don't swing. It also looks like your off balance at the end of your swing. You should always be balanced after your swing. Try finding a comfortability spot with your stance and stride, and find what works, and where you can stay balanced. Hope this helped.
Auz
Your swing is rushed. Off a tee, work on a slow, early load with your lower half and attack the inside part of the ball. Then take it to front toss, then BP.
The simplest explanation for an experienced hitter struggling with rolling over (swinging early/getting out front), hitting weak popups oppo (swinging late), and having trouble just making contact at times (swinging early or late) is that your timing is off.