Any comments and criticism is welcome...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P0MJdGGEWU
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Looks like your front foot is landing in an open position . Keep it closed longer to keep energy between your legs and not being spent too soon . I would also try to generate more momentum from back to front . Work on loading the back hip . JMO
I would post a game swing or at the very least a batting practice swing. In my experience side toss swings typically don't paint an accurate picture of a players true swing.
Thanks, will provide better video when I can
Well I'm no expert and I'm not sure if I'm correct but I know when I used to swing with my top hand coming off at the end it meant I was stopping at contact and so it is almost as if you start the swing and you're trying to stop it which lessens bat velocity at the point of impact, don't take my advice unless someone else confirms it though, you guys are all free to correct me.
Extreme uppercut stroke...hurts weight shift and power, lessens the time the barrel stays on plane in the hitting zone. High tee would correct the problem...Place ball on tee at peck level, force yourself to hit ball off back of net. If ball hits top of net, you're collapsing backside (uppercut).
I agree that it is an extreme uppercut. I would say most balls you hit would have been fly balls. If you are hitting the top of the net on the sock something is wrong. Mechanically you have no weight transfer going into the ball. I was able to slow mo the video and because of your front foot opening your upper body is then leaning back. When you stride force yourself to land on the inside of that front foot and it will help you stay closed.
Your front foot is a problem. Needs to stay closed at contact. If you want to open or let it pop after contact that is fine and probably recommended as it is a little easier on the lead knee.
You lose power and get late batspeed popping early. It will take several months to develop the flexibility to pull that off. Take it slow with the change if you decide to close your front foot more. In dirt you can be a little more aggressive keeping it closed. The artificial turf can be a little harder on the lead knee.
Whoever was doing the soft toss needs to mix the location up some. They were a little too perfect hitting their spots and you need variety as a hitter.
You lose power and get late batspeed popping early. It will take several months to develop the flexibility to pull that off. Take it slow with the change if you decide to close your front foot more. In dirt you can be a little more aggressive keeping it closed. The artificial turf can be a little harder on the lead knee.
Whoever was doing the soft toss needs to mix the location up some. They were a little too perfect hitting their spots and you need variety as a hitter.
I'd like to see your hands separate further from your body. Make sure you work on core flexibility as a hitter.
I agree with most of the comments so far, except I'm not sure about needing more separation from your body with your hands? (I don't see that,but I'm not sure exactly what he means, so I'll just tell you what I see?)
I would add that the uppercut and lack of weight shift is partly because of your left foot action. Not so much that it rotates upon hitting ground, but because it comes down too soon and doesn't give your hips a chance to come through properly.
Your lack of a proper load puts you out of balance to start with and you are leaning towards first base from the git-go which will cause you to have to rotate against your body,and use just your arms and hands, which will almost always produce an uppercut and/or or slow swing.
On some of the swings. I can see the top of your head at contact, which tells me that you are losing power and bat speed. If it was a golf swing, then obviously we would see the top of your head, hence the uppercut.
Try placing your front foot so that it's even with back foot. And then pick up left foot(how high is up to you?) so that there is a slight weight transfer to back side which will load the hips and then practice landing in balance.
Once you get that down, then drive with the back side while keeping right elbow tucked in against body and stop at contact point to be sure your right palm is up.
From there, concentrate on getting through,in balance, until bat comes all the way around.
It's really hard to properly describe all of these things in print, but I really think this will help.
Go online and look at swings from guys like Pujols and others.
You are a strong-looking young man, and I can definitely see some power potential with the right mechanics.
Good Luck!
I would add that the uppercut and lack of weight shift is partly because of your left foot action. Not so much that it rotates upon hitting ground, but because it comes down too soon and doesn't give your hips a chance to come through properly.
Your lack of a proper load puts you out of balance to start with and you are leaning towards first base from the git-go which will cause you to have to rotate against your body,and use just your arms and hands, which will almost always produce an uppercut and/or or slow swing.
On some of the swings. I can see the top of your head at contact, which tells me that you are losing power and bat speed. If it was a golf swing, then obviously we would see the top of your head, hence the uppercut.
Try placing your front foot so that it's even with back foot. And then pick up left foot(how high is up to you?) so that there is a slight weight transfer to back side which will load the hips and then practice landing in balance.
Once you get that down, then drive with the back side while keeping right elbow tucked in against body and stop at contact point to be sure your right palm is up.
From there, concentrate on getting through,in balance, until bat comes all the way around.
It's really hard to properly describe all of these things in print, but I really think this will help.
Go online and look at swings from guys like Pujols and others.
You are a strong-looking young man, and I can definitely see some power potential with the right mechanics.
Good Luck!
You don't have much weight shift in this video. Maybe your game swing is different?
Uppercut? You don't have an uppercut.
Your hands are coming forward slightly too soon, robbing power.
Uppercut? You don't have an uppercut.
Your hands are coming forward slightly too soon, robbing power.
quote:Your front foot is a problem. Needs to stay closed at contact.
Why would you say this?
Looks closed to me about 30 degrees spins open a little after contact. Puljos is closer to 45 deg.
You're, either, not telling the truth or you need glasses....
But, then, could be both.....
But, then, could be both.....
quote:Originally posted by BlueDog:quote:Your front foot is a problem. Needs to stay closed at contact.
Why would you say this?
You might want to pull some still pictures of other good hitters instead of just pulling a single clip of Ted Williams at 30 degrees. How did Ted hit this particular pitch?
His foot is closer to 50 degrees open in this clip than to 30 and was on most swings, if you don't believe me, buy the DVD, The Science of Hitting. You can get it at Rare Sports Films, it has dozens of swings by Mr. Williams.
quote:Originally posted by powertoallfields:
His foot is closer to 50 degrees open in this clip than to 30 and was on most swings, if you don't believe me, buy the DVD, The Science of Hitting. You can get it at Rare Sports Films, it has dozens of swings by Mr. Williams.
Whether it is 30 or 50 degrees doesn't matter. Few modern players hit this way. It worked for him and that is great but it seems to be the exception rather than the rule.
quote:Originally posted by Leverage:quote:Originally posted by powertoallfields:
His foot is closer to 50 degrees open in this clip than to 30 and was on most swings, if you don't believe me, buy the DVD, The Science of Hitting. You can get it at Rare Sports Films, it has dozens of swings by Mr. Williams.
Whether it is 30 or 50 degrees doesn't matter. Few modern players hit this way. It worked for him and that is great but it seems to be the exception rather than the rule.
What are you looking at to determine if current hitters are not hitting like him? What is being taught is usually not close to what he does, but look at high level hitters. On MLB.com you can view game highlights... Check it out. Frame by frame if possible.
Your front foot is fine being open. Most hitters front foot is 45 degrees or more. You need more separation, Your hands just go straight to the ball. As your front foot is touching the ground, your hands should be going back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...Tp_g&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...Tp_g&feature=related
Keeping the front foot close is myth. look at Ruths front foot it's open and even flops........a cardinal sin for many gurus.
http://www.viddler.com/explore/perryhusband/videos/33
http://www.viddler.com/explore/perryhusband/videos/33
quote:Originally posted by Leverage:quote:Originally posted by powertoallfields:
His foot is closer to 50 degrees open in this clip than to 30 and was on most swings, if you don't believe me, buy the DVD, The Science of Hitting. You can get it at Rare Sports Films, it has dozens of swings by Mr. Williams.
Whether it is 30 or 50 degrees doesn't matter. Few modern players hit this way. It worked for him and that is great but it seems to be the exception rather than the rule.
Here are three that did pretty well with an open foot and you may want to take a look at David Ortiz also.
http://www.hittingillustrated....library/Delgado2.gif
http://www.hittingillustrated....library/Chipper5.gif
http://www.teachersbilliards.com/hitzone/kent3.gif
On second thought, just go up to the hitters' video archive at the top of this forum and see how many of them have the front foot open.
quote:Originally posted by powertoallfields:
On second thought, just go up to the hitters' video archive at the top of this forum and see how many of them have the front foot open.
http://www.chrisoleary.com/pro...2007_HomeRun_012.jpg
http://static.zoovy.com/img/cu...ago_cubs_picture.jpg
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/20...ark-teixeira-mlb.jpg
The front foot needs to be controlled and really shouldn't be pointed much beyond the first baseman for righties and the third baseman for lefties.
leverage The Teixeira picture, he is obviously fooled by the pitch in the frame you linked...it comes to this... ok maybe some have front foot closed, more have front foot open.
So it's not mandatory front foot stays closed it's a teaching mis-cue not what hitters do.
http://www.batspeed.com/media/...ide-outside-HR-1.wmv
So it's not mandatory front foot stays closed it's a teaching mis-cue not what hitters do.
http://www.batspeed.com/media/...ide-outside-HR-1.wmv
quote:Originally posted by Leverage:quote:Originally posted by powertoallfields:
On second thought, just go up to the hitters' video archive at the top of this forum and see how many of them have the front foot open.
http://www.chrisoleary.com/pro...2007_HomeRun_012.jpg
http://static.zoovy.com/img/cu...ago_cubs_picture.jpg
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/20...ark-teixeira-mlb.jpg
The front foot needs to be controlled and really shouldn't be pointed much beyond the first baseman for righties and the third baseman for lefties.
I'm telling you that the position of the front foot is basically irrelevant. I can show you clips of Ortiz where his front foot is pointing at the Pitcher at "go". The thing that happens when you try to teach "front foot closed" is that kids have a tendancy to keep the front hip closed. That causes them problems with getting the rear hip to turn in front of the hands. It also puts a great deal of stress on the front knee.
quote:Originally posted by slultan:
Your front foot is fine being open. Most hitters front foot is 45 degrees or more. You need more separation, Your hands just go straight to the ball. As your front foot is touching the ground, your hands should be going back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...Tp_g&feature=related
I'm not sure I understand?
What do you mean by more separation?
Are you talking about loading with the hands?
And also, when you say "As your front foot is touching the ground, your hands should be going back.", are you talking about a toe-tap? (timing mechanism)
Some people call it walking away from your hands, others call it loading the hands into launch postion.. See if this video helps you understand it better...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbsP-FCtNyg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbsP-FCtNyg
Keep the front foot closed is definitely bad advice for any hitter learning how to swing......
quote:Originally posted by slultan:
Some people call it walking away from your hands, others call it loading the hands into launch postion.. See if this video helps you understand it better...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbsP-FCtNyg
I understand the concept, I just didn't understand your description, but now I do.
Actually, the hands should already be back when the front foot hits the ground, as explained in the video. It's pretty much simultaneous, although I've seen some good hitters continue back a bit as a timing thing.
Good Video!
A little more about the foot thing.
My guys feet pronate - the right one quite a bit. His left one is the front foot. For a few years, I watched guys try to correct him: hitting; pitching; catching stances. Then it hit me, he learned to balance this way naturally - the norms dont necessarily apply.
There's another kid who he goes to hitting lessons with that his lead foot toes in. The instructor has made allowances.
In the past, I have worked with my son to make specific movements to help him get away from the plate faster (he has to think to turn his toes in to get initial acceleration).
I know that pronation is not that uncommon so, I wonder how many kids are being asked to move to an un-natural balance point?
In looking at the swing here, it looked very uppercut and the lower half is not contributing nearly enough to power.
My guys feet pronate - the right one quite a bit. His left one is the front foot. For a few years, I watched guys try to correct him: hitting; pitching; catching stances. Then it hit me, he learned to balance this way naturally - the norms dont necessarily apply.
There's another kid who he goes to hitting lessons with that his lead foot toes in. The instructor has made allowances.
In the past, I have worked with my son to make specific movements to help him get away from the plate faster (he has to think to turn his toes in to get initial acceleration).
I know that pronation is not that uncommon so, I wonder how many kids are being asked to move to an un-natural balance point?
In looking at the swing here, it looked very uppercut and the lower half is not contributing nearly enough to power.
I thought this was interesting, on swing launch...
http://www.youtube.com/profile...ed#p/u/0/1f2SwCoFRgI
http://www.youtube.com/profile...ed#p/u/0/1f2SwCoFRgI
What is constitutes open versus closed front foot? What is within "ok" range? Anything written in stone?
Wide variety between MLB hitters and tends to be an individual thing. We were taught that the front foot was ok pointing at 2Baseman (but not directly at pitcher open 180 degrees or closed at 90 degrees). Is that open...not in my mind but maybe so in others.
You'll see hitters with a closed stance ( Williams, Ruth, Al Simmons, Gil Hodges,etc) stride open but the foot lands at approx 30-45 degrees or sorta pointed towards 3B/SS. I don't see that as open. Some hitters may prefer to be slightly more closed at foot plant, often in an effort to help control a personal tendency to open up the hips and shoulders too much. Whatever the reason, if it works well for them and they are successful, is this really a "teach" item to be concerned with?
As long as the hitter is able to maintain control of his hips during the stride and foot plant and maintains adequate plate coverage the angle of the front foot perhaps should be looked at as a style issue instead of an absolute.
JMO
LOL
Wide variety between MLB hitters and tends to be an individual thing. We were taught that the front foot was ok pointing at 2Baseman (but not directly at pitcher open 180 degrees or closed at 90 degrees). Is that open...not in my mind but maybe so in others.
You'll see hitters with a closed stance ( Williams, Ruth, Al Simmons, Gil Hodges,etc) stride open but the foot lands at approx 30-45 degrees or sorta pointed towards 3B/SS. I don't see that as open. Some hitters may prefer to be slightly more closed at foot plant, often in an effort to help control a personal tendency to open up the hips and shoulders too much. Whatever the reason, if it works well for them and they are successful, is this really a "teach" item to be concerned with?
As long as the hitter is able to maintain control of his hips during the stride and foot plant and maintains adequate plate coverage the angle of the front foot perhaps should be looked at as a style issue instead of an absolute.
JMO
Eric G,
While many have focused on the front foot, uppercut,etc. another thing I see is the back leg. Appears your weight is out the outside part of the rear foot based on the knee angle ( could be camera angle). IF the weight is actually on the outer part of the back foot, you could have some consistency issues with weight transfer and good hip rotation. Personally would like to see the weight on the inside of the back foot with a square back foot.
Could be the camera angle but the angle of the back knee just doesn't look right in the video. Not an issue with soft toss but with live pitching when you are focused on staying back there may be issues.
Hope you're ready for your upcoming season. Good luck.
While many have focused on the front foot, uppercut,etc. another thing I see is the back leg. Appears your weight is out the outside part of the rear foot based on the knee angle ( could be camera angle). IF the weight is actually on the outer part of the back foot, you could have some consistency issues with weight transfer and good hip rotation. Personally would like to see the weight on the inside of the back foot with a square back foot.
Could be the camera angle but the angle of the back knee just doesn't look right in the video. Not an issue with soft toss but with live pitching when you are focused on staying back there may be issues.
Hope you're ready for your upcoming season. Good luck.
quote:Originally posted by BlueDog:
Keep the front foot closed is definitely bad advice for any hitter learning how to swing......
OK your Majesty...what is good advice then.
quote:Originally posted by BlueDog:
Keep the front foot closed is definitely bad advice for any hitter learning how to swing......
It is very common for the front foot to be pointed at the 3rd baseman or 1st baseman and in for high level hitters. I'm looking at pics of Bonds, Jeter, Soriano, and Manny and they are all fairly closed.
You start going past the corner infielders much and your risk of opening up your front side too early goes way up.
It would be harder to hit an outside low pitch with an open front foot.
If your stride is long, like a pitcher, you will land on your heel. (I did this when I played in the 20s - see my avatar)
Otherwise, you should land on the ball of your foot, like 95% of MLB hitters. (fully or partially closed)
BTW, Chipper does not land on an open foot.
Otherwise, you should land on the ball of your foot, like 95% of MLB hitters. (fully or partially closed)
BTW, Chipper does not land on an open foot.
quote:Originally posted by powertoallfields:quote:Originally posted by Leverage:quote:Originally posted by BlueDog:
Keep the front foot closed is definitely bad advice for any hitter learning how to swing......
It is very common for the front foot to be pointed at the 3rd baseman or 1st baseman and in for high level hitters. I'm looking at pics of Bonds, Jeter, Soriano, and Manny and they are all fairly closed.
You start going past the corner infielders much and your risk of opening up your front side too early goes way up.
You have a lot to learn about hitting.
This thread was started by a young man requesting a critique of his hitting. You have not made one post in it addressing the poster. Please take the time to address the purpose of the thread which is a hitting critique for this young man.
At toe touch you want to be partially to fully closed so the hips don't commit too early and so you don't lose power. Now if a hitter is swinging a 36 inch bat and steps out a little and opens a little to get an inside pitch I can see a little more openness. However, I would never teach someone to be open with the foot while hitting.
quote:Originally posted by Eric G:
Any comments and criticism is welcome...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P0MJdGGEWU
On batspeed.com there are discussions of the role of the back elbow in great hitters. I'm looking at your clip and looking at it full speed it looks like your back elbow is dropping too early into the slot. Follow the discussion of that video/discussion. You will also see how hitters separate from their hands more than you are doing. Back elbow and hands just drop down to your side.
I think you need a little more discipline with your front foot and would also like to see you land on the ball of your foot.
You have a nice swing but the back elbow and front foot discipline need work compared to what I have seen from great hitters.
quote:Originally posted by Leverage:quote:Originally posted by powertoallfields:quote:Originally posted by Leverage:quote:Originally posted by BlueDog:
Keep the front foot closed is definitely bad advice for any hitter learning how to swing......
It is very common for the front foot to be pointed at the 3rd baseman or 1st baseman and in for high level hitters. I'm looking at pics of Bonds, Jeter, Soriano, and Manny and they are all fairly closed.
You start going past the corner infielders much and your risk of opening up your front side too early goes way up.
You have a lot to learn about hitting.
This thread was started by a young man requesting a critique of his hitting. You have not made one post in it addressing the poster. Please take the time to address the purpose of the thread which is a hitting critique for this young man.
At toe touch you want to be partially to fully closed so the hips don't commit too early and so you don't lose power. Now if a hitter is swinging a 36 inch bat and steps out a little and opens a little to get an inside pitch I can see a little more openness. However, I would never teach someone to be open with the foot while hitting.
Number one, the kid posted his clip on May 18, 2009 and the last time he posted in the thread was May 19, 2009. Do you think he's still reading????????
Number two, the front foot and or leg has nothing to do with opening too soon! In fact, the goal is to get the hips open as far as possible while keeping the shoulders closed. Opening too soon is caused by misinformed hitting instructors teaching kids to rotate their shoulders about their spine as fast as possible to create batspeed. That is the farthest thing from having a high level swing one can get!
For those still reading: The job of the front foot and leg in a high level swing is to provide balance and to catch the momentum created by the rear leg.
