Hi all,
After getting some good feedback with my son's pitching mechanics, I thought we would see the feedback on his swing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNCf5o1G_pY
Thanks in advance
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OK, the biggest problem is the hat. 
Kidding... sort of. Some coaches/recruiters will be turned off by the hat sitting on top and cocked heavily to the side like that. Interesting side note and personal opinion - that will be less frowned upon if he is being looked at as a LHP only vs. as a position player. OK, enough on that.
Just on the surface, I'm seeing enough good that he can probably have plenty of success at small to average HS level right now. For moving forward, things I would look at...
Don't let the front foot flare open just before it lands (freeze frame it - this happens in most but not all swings). He should land a bit more closed. If the swing pulls the foot out after contact, that's OK, but if he flares open before landing, he is leaking his hips/rotational power too early. This also pulls him off balance over a soft front. This front foot leak may be the key to the other things happening. Check this first.
Get a little wider and land a little wider. He is getting outside of a stacked base on some weight shifts back and he is posting on a front leg (sometimes soft) that is almost perpendicular as opposed to hitting against a firm front that gives him a solid straight line through his leg and his spine at contact (There are many good pics of this in other hitting threads here). This will give him more balance, keep him stacked, allow him to stay behind the ball and get more length/extension in the second half of his swing.
Get the front foot down a little earlier. He is still sliding forward at contact in many swings. Once he posts against a firm front, his lateral movement should stop and rotation takes over.
Get a little longer through the zone (more extension) with the second half of the swing. Think about hitting through five baseballs on plane, with the first one being the actual ball. He may get more of this automatically with the other adjustments.
Just rambling... all JMO, there are lots of different hitting philosophies.
Good looking kid, lot's of potential. I'm guessing he's gonna clean up real well. Have fun.
Kidding... sort of. Some coaches/recruiters will be turned off by the hat sitting on top and cocked heavily to the side like that. Interesting side note and personal opinion - that will be less frowned upon if he is being looked at as a LHP only vs. as a position player. OK, enough on that.
Just on the surface, I'm seeing enough good that he can probably have plenty of success at small to average HS level right now. For moving forward, things I would look at...
Don't let the front foot flare open just before it lands (freeze frame it - this happens in most but not all swings). He should land a bit more closed. If the swing pulls the foot out after contact, that's OK, but if he flares open before landing, he is leaking his hips/rotational power too early. This also pulls him off balance over a soft front. This front foot leak may be the key to the other things happening. Check this first.
Get a little wider and land a little wider. He is getting outside of a stacked base on some weight shifts back and he is posting on a front leg (sometimes soft) that is almost perpendicular as opposed to hitting against a firm front that gives him a solid straight line through his leg and his spine at contact (There are many good pics of this in other hitting threads here). This will give him more balance, keep him stacked, allow him to stay behind the ball and get more length/extension in the second half of his swing.
Get the front foot down a little earlier. He is still sliding forward at contact in many swings. Once he posts against a firm front, his lateral movement should stop and rotation takes over.
Get a little longer through the zone (more extension) with the second half of the swing. Think about hitting through five baseballs on plane, with the first one being the actual ball. He may get more of this automatically with the other adjustments.
Just rambling... all JMO, there are lots of different hitting philosophies.
Good looking kid, lot's of potential. I'm guessing he's gonna clean up real well. Have fun.
cabbagedad
Thanks for the time and the reply
I agree with your assessment 100%
The front leg is bowed or soft on many of his swings.
We will work on starting slightly wider and keeping that front foot closed and down more quickly.
Hopefully we will start to see those gap shots traveling farther and farther.
Thanks again
Thanks for the time and the reply
I agree with your assessment 100%
The front leg is bowed or soft on many of his swings.
We will work on starting slightly wider and keeping that front foot closed and down more quickly.
Hopefully we will start to see those gap shots traveling farther and farther.
Thanks again
Do you have any live pitching video? Soft toss isn't really the same.
Sandman
At this point we do not.
Its a learning process, and I have a lot to learn..LOL
We will work on getting some live BP.
I assume that behind home is the best vantage point to see where the ball travels?
But all angles should be included?
Thanks for the interest
At this point we do not.
Its a learning process, and I have a lot to learn..LOL
We will work on getting some live BP.
I assume that behind home is the best vantage point to see where the ball travels?
But all angles should be included?
Thanks for the interest
Side angle and behind home plate. Both angles are good. Here's a sample: www.YouTube.com/Kevinbaseball2012.
Just downloaded some additional videos for any additional comments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...607BvI&feature=feedu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqbpz8n0As4&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...607BvI&feature=feedu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqbpz8n0As4&NR=1
WapakDad,
He made some really good adjustments in a short time and looks comfortable with them already. That is very impressive.
Now, I'm going to probably tick you off. But if it's something that helps your son as he goes down the path, that's OK...
Everything that impressed me regarding the swing adjustments quickly became secondary when I found myself trying to interpret the attitude displayed at the end of the video. Obviously, I have no idea if this is a regular issue or even any issue at all. But, when he gets in front of college coaches/scouts, often he will only get one chance to impress. I think many coaches don't mind seeing a chip on the shoulder of a player. However, I don't think they want to see a boulder. The short term solution is easy - edit the video. Long term... between you and him. If I'm totally wrong in what I think I'm seeing, I apologize.
Best wishes.
He made some really good adjustments in a short time and looks comfortable with them already. That is very impressive.
Now, I'm going to probably tick you off. But if it's something that helps your son as he goes down the path, that's OK...
Everything that impressed me regarding the swing adjustments quickly became secondary when I found myself trying to interpret the attitude displayed at the end of the video. Obviously, I have no idea if this is a regular issue or even any issue at all. But, when he gets in front of college coaches/scouts, often he will only get one chance to impress. I think many coaches don't mind seeing a chip on the shoulder of a player. However, I don't think they want to see a boulder. The short term solution is easy - edit the video. Long term... between you and him. If I'm totally wrong in what I think I'm seeing, I apologize.
Best wishes.
I know exactly what you are saying, and how it comes across...
The attitude or boulder as you put it was in response to me not throwing the last ball.
It had a torn cover and his "who cares" was Johnny just wanting to hit another ball.
I should just edit it, but as in my previous videos I have just kept it unedited so far.
Out of context, I had the same thought, knowing what happened , I thought it was kind of funny.
I do appreciate your insight and like your candor.
The attitude or boulder as you put it was in response to me not throwing the last ball.
It had a torn cover and his "who cares" was Johnny just wanting to hit another ball.
I should just edit it, but as in my previous videos I have just kept it unedited so far.
Out of context, I had the same thought, knowing what happened , I thought it was kind of funny.
I do appreciate your insight and like your candor.
Good. Sometimes I'm more than happy to be wrong. I do suggest you start working on the editing anyway. I think you may have plenty of reason to use it (I mean that in a good way).
Good looking swing.
I'm with the others about the attitude. If I was a college coach watching the video I would keep looking.
Also have you tried having him take the top hand (left hand in his case) off toward then end of his swing to see if it increases his power?
I'm with the others about the attitude. If I was a college coach watching the video I would keep looking.
Also have you tried having him take the top hand (left hand in his case) off toward then end of his swing to see if it increases his power?
Don't worry about releasing the top hand. I'm a fan of it with the exception of the shift back.
He shouldn't let it get outside the inside of his rear foot. Also, he shouldn't have to consciously shift his weight back. He should (IMO) be able to do that by "coiling" or "c o c k ing" his rear hip. He should consider adding either a "Tip n' Rip" or should change the hand set very slightly, just to make his hands do the work, not the elbow.
Can you do us all a favor and ask him what he "feels" happening during his swing?
He shouldn't let it get outside the inside of his rear foot. Also, he shouldn't have to consciously shift his weight back. He should (IMO) be able to do that by "coiling" or "c o c k ing" his rear hip. He should consider adding either a "Tip n' Rip" or should change the hand set very slightly, just to make his hands do the work, not the elbow.
Can you do us all a favor and ask him what he "feels" happening during his swing?
2 things I see:
He needs to get the hands moving forward in concert with the hip turn. The hands are moving down and back as he strides, which creates negative momentum. I'd keep the hands quieter.
He needs to generate more power with the lower half. Watch the back foot.
The "squish the bug" thing won't work at the next level. Needs to get some drive with the back side.
The swing and stance overall look great, but the changes I suggested will allow him to wait a bit longer to recognize the pitch and still be able to generate the bat speed and power needed.
He needs to get the hands moving forward in concert with the hip turn. The hands are moving down and back as he strides, which creates negative momentum. I'd keep the hands quieter.
He needs to generate more power with the lower half. Watch the back foot.
The "squish the bug" thing won't work at the next level. Needs to get some drive with the back side.
The swing and stance overall look great, but the changes I suggested will allow him to wait a bit longer to recognize the pitch and still be able to generate the bat speed and power needed.
quote:Originally posted by gitnby:
He needs to generate more power with the lower half. Watch the back foot.The "squish the bug" thing won't work at the next level. Needs to get some drive with the back side.
I agree, but I don't think his problem is "squishing the bug". I'm more inclined to believe it's because he has a "sway" rather than a "gather into the rear hip" or a "coil".
From what I see (I don't have the ability to play it in Quicktime), he has trouble maintaining his degree of lead arm extension. I think this is linked to his use of the elbow to flatten the hands, rather than using the hands to flatten the hands. However, I'm reasonably sure he's pushing his hands back to initiate separation. Thus, he actively uses his arms (at least, IMO).
I suggest telling him to "walk away from his hands". If his lead arm straightens, fine. However, he shouldn't start out at an angle of about 120 degrees and then have his arm straighten out.
Keep in mind that I am my only student, and you're free to take or ignore my advice.
Nothing personal, Low Finish, but I think you are going to confuse the kid with that kind of advice.
"lead arm extension", "flatten the hands", "walk away from the hands" are all terms I understand, but are really tough to explain without face-to-face instruction.
My experience is that if you take a kid with a nice natural swing like he has, and just get him to keep the hands more quiet and use the lower half more, the things you point out will be corrected naturally. If not, then you can be more specific.
Again,I pretty much agree with your suggestions, but they are extremely difficult things to teach.
"lead arm extension", "flatten the hands", "walk away from the hands" are all terms I understand, but are really tough to explain without face-to-face instruction.
My experience is that if you take a kid with a nice natural swing like he has, and just get him to keep the hands more quiet and use the lower half more, the things you point out will be corrected naturally. If not, then you can be more specific.
Again,I pretty much agree with your suggestions, but they are extremely difficult things to teach.
quote:Originally posted by gitnby:
Nothing personal, Low Finish, but I think you are going to confuse the kid with that kind of advice.
"lead arm extension", "flatten the hands", "walk away from the hands" are all terms I understand, but are really tough to explain without face-to-face instruction.
My experience is that if you take a kid with a nice natural swing like he has, and just get him to keep the hands more quiet and use the lower half more, the things you point out will be corrected naturally. If not, then you can be more specific.
Again,I pretty much agree with your suggestions, but they are extremely difficult things to teach.
Some of what I mentioned is really tough to explain over the Internet, some of it isn't.
I think "Flatten the hands" is pretty simple. Basically, get the hands from the launch position
to the lag position as quickly as you can. Epstein uses the cue "scoop sand with the top hand", which is really all (IMO) that needs to be said to an average-ability player.
Lead arm extension is really tough to explain, as is walking away from the hands, though they are very closely related. The easiest way to say it is "maintain the same angle in your lead arm from launch to contact, if the pitch is down the middle".
Thanks for all the input.
I think its great to get some feedback and have the ability to make adjustments with the use of video and the internet. I like this site a lot.
We just received some grades from UNOH, a local NAIA school showcase:
Coach Hartman wrote
"Johnny is a 2013 graduate of Wapakoneta HS, Wapakoneta, Ohio. Johnny swings from the left side with a lot of pure athletic ability. He hits from an open stance with solid technique, but tends to open his front side a little early. Johnny has a lot of upside and I am excited to see what type of player he turns in to by his senior year. He is a definite college prospect to follow."
My question would be...Are the items that you guys see directly related to the opening early that Coach Hartman sees?
I think its great to get some feedback and have the ability to make adjustments with the use of video and the internet. I like this site a lot.
We just received some grades from UNOH, a local NAIA school showcase:
Coach Hartman wrote
"Johnny is a 2013 graduate of Wapakoneta HS, Wapakoneta, Ohio. Johnny swings from the left side with a lot of pure athletic ability. He hits from an open stance with solid technique, but tends to open his front side a little early. Johnny has a lot of upside and I am excited to see what type of player he turns in to by his senior year. He is a definite college prospect to follow."
My question would be...Are the items that you guys see directly related to the opening early that Coach Hartman sees?
I don't see it as opening early. I see it as rotation into footplant, which is good. Again, if someone can make a GIF, it would be great...
quote:Originally posted by WapakDad2013:
Thanks for all the input.
I think its great to get some feedback and have the ability to make adjustments with the use of video and the internet. I like this site a lot.
We just received some grades from UNOH, a local NAIA school showcase:
Coach Hartman wrote
"Johnny is a 2013 graduate of Wapakoneta HS, Wapakoneta, Ohio. Johnny swings from the left side with a lot of pure athletic ability. He hits from an open stance with solid technique, but tends to open his front side a little early. Johnny has a lot of upside and I am excited to see what type of player he turns in to by his senior year. He is a definite college prospect to follow."
My question would be...Are the items that you guys see directly related to the opening early that Coach Hartman sees?
I think the opening early is a subconscious adjustment he has made to be able to get around in time, which is compensating for lack of bat speed. The problem is twofold: most of the power is expended too early, and he will tend to need to use the hands too much to compensate.
Just try to get him to work on using his lower half to get the bat to a check swing position. Keep the left elbow close to body and left palm up.
Once he sees how quickly he can get the bat there with this legs and hips, then have him hit off of a tee doing the same thing. Halfswings only to contact.
Once he gets that feeling to muscle memory, then do soft toss, same way.
Then, if you can, throw some BP with only the half swing.
You will both be amazed at how the ball jumps off his bat on a check swing.
Then, put it all together with a full swing, making sure that he doesn't grip the bat too tightly.(this is a side-effect of using the check swing drill)
Tee, then soft toss, then live.
I think he has a nice athletic swing that only needs minor correction.
As an aside, I saw a left-handed hitting kid on my Son's college team hit a bomb to left on a check swing.
I've seen Prince Fielder do the same.
quote:Originally posted by WapakDad2013:
Thanks for all the input.
I think its great to get some feedback and have the ability to make adjustments with the use of video and the internet. I like this site a lot.
We just received some grades from UNOH, a local NAIA school showcase:
Coach Hartman wrote
"Johnny is a 2013 graduate of Wapakoneta HS, Wapakoneta, Ohio. Johnny swings from the left side with a lot of pure athletic ability. He hits from an open stance with solid technique, but tends to open his front side a little early. Johnny has a lot of upside and I am excited to see what type of player he turns in to by his senior year. He is a definite college prospect to follow."
My question would be...Are the items that you guys see directly related to the opening early that Coach Hartman sees?
I agree with coach Hartman and this is why. This is a typical problem with open stance pull hitters. They tand to not come closed on the back swing and end up yanking the ball to the pull side rather than swinging down the line of the pitch they swing accross it. He needs to come to a more closed position on the back swing, I tell my players to show the pitcher the number on the back of your jersey. They don't need to close that far, but it gets them moving in the right direction. This change will make a big differnce, and cut down on those pop outs to thirdbase and short that I know he tends to get. You can't have an inside/out approach without getting to a more closed position.
OK..
Johnny has been working on some of the items that have been discussed in this thread. Here are the comments from the Prep Baseball Report Top Prospect Showcase:
They placed Johnny in their updated rankings as the #23 player in the state for 2013 graduates.
"Crawford is a talented two-way prospect and definite follow in the Class of 2013. He could potentially play both positions at the next level. In the field, he is aggressive to the ball. He shows quick, effortless arm action that generated a top velocity of 85 mph. At the plate, the left-handed hitter maintains balance throughout his swing. He uses a quick, easy load and a short path to the ball while achieving extension. He shows gap-to-gap power potential. He registered a 7.36 60-yard dash on a slow track"
In scoutspeak all glowing comments except of course for the 60 time. He had run 7.15 at a previous event. Not quite fast enough for high level, but lots of room to improve.
Here is a link to updated video
http://www.prepbaseballreport....765249301-8675194320
Johnny has been working on some of the items that have been discussed in this thread. Here are the comments from the Prep Baseball Report Top Prospect Showcase:
They placed Johnny in their updated rankings as the #23 player in the state for 2013 graduates.
"Crawford is a talented two-way prospect and definite follow in the Class of 2013. He could potentially play both positions at the next level. In the field, he is aggressive to the ball. He shows quick, effortless arm action that generated a top velocity of 85 mph. At the plate, the left-handed hitter maintains balance throughout his swing. He uses a quick, easy load and a short path to the ball while achieving extension. He shows gap-to-gap power potential. He registered a 7.36 60-yard dash on a slow track"
In scoutspeak all glowing comments except of course for the 60 time. He had run 7.15 at a previous event. Not quite fast enough for high level, but lots of room to improve.
Here is a link to updated video
http://www.prepbaseballreport....765249301-8675194320
