There has been a trend in MLB of hitters that do not stride. I have found it to be a positive characteristic in teaching hitters weight transfer and the mechanics of hitting off speed pitches. Let me know what you think!
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
All that matters is that you are in a position to swing on time...how you get to that point varies with each hitter. Some need to stride as a timing device or at least feel msot comfortable that way.
Balance and weight transfer need not be effected either way.
I have found recently, especially in working with some younger (12-14 YO) hitters that no stride seems to make some things easier to teach. After a short period (6-8 weeks, sometimes longer, sometimes never), I usually end up giving it back to them.
As someone who hit no stride most of my (not legendary) career, I found it worked well for me. Of course, my job was just to slap the ball in play and run like "heck". However, I did find I was able to make contact with off-speed and breaking pitches much easier.
I would not recommend it for everyone though. Some kids reject it flatly--others just look massively uncomfortable. However, for many it seems to calm alot of things down. I find that when we go no stride, we usually end up giving just a portion of the original stride back.
As someone who hit no stride most of my (not legendary) career, I found it worked well for me. Of course, my job was just to slap the ball in play and run like "heck". However, I did find I was able to make contact with off-speed and breaking pitches much easier.
I would not recommend it for everyone though. Some kids reject it flatly--others just look massively uncomfortable. However, for many it seems to calm alot of things down. I find that when we go no stride, we usually end up giving just a portion of the original stride back.
IMO it depends on what type of hitter you are. If you are a power hitter, then I would not recommend a no stride approach. If you are a singles hitter it can work just fine. Going no stride is also a good technique for a two strike situation.
IMO the key to hitting off-speed is having the ability to stay back and loaded, i.e. hands and weight. Additionally it helps to recognize spin.
Stride versus not stride ..... depends on the type of hitter. A hitter that doesn't stride needs to have the ability to know how to involve his lower half in his swing. Sometimes this can be difficult for a young hitter, or a hitter who isn't quite physical strong enough through his core and lower half. A stride can help a hitter that isn't quite there physically get his lower half involved. The key with the stride though is to get your foot down in time. A hitter can't fire his hands until he gets hits foot down. So keep the stride short.
There are lots of ways to hit.
Stride versus not stride ..... depends on the type of hitter. A hitter that doesn't stride needs to have the ability to know how to involve his lower half in his swing. Sometimes this can be difficult for a young hitter, or a hitter who isn't quite physical strong enough through his core and lower half. A stride can help a hitter that isn't quite there physically get his lower half involved. The key with the stride though is to get your foot down in time. A hitter can't fire his hands until he gets hits foot down. So keep the stride short.
There are lots of ways to hit.