How do I delete this post?
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Your sequencing is off. As you are striding your hands should be going back for starters.
He might want to make contact more out front and finish his swing.. One thing at a time though.
I admire your courage and humility in providing this video for people to comment on. Your start with rehearsing with a bat path straight to the ball in a line but if you study the great hitters in the MLB, the swing the bat by dropping the barrel of the bat and getting it into the path of the ball as soon as possible and use their body to pull their hand and the knob of the bat before they extend. Mirror what you see on Youtube and not what your coach tells you. Most High School and college coaches don't have a clue. They hold on to mythical ideas of what a hitter should do regardless of what video, which cannot lie, shows you. Don't listen to them.
Originally Posted by Dan:
...Mirror what you see on Youtube and not what your coach tells you. Most High School and college coaches don't have a clue. They hold on to mythical ideas of what a hitter should do regardless of what video, which cannot lie, shows you. Don't listen to them.
Dan,
So, let me get this straight... an aspiring 8th grader comes to the site looking for advice and your words of wisdom are that HS and college coaches don't have a clue and he shouldn't listen to them. Instead, go with Youtube.
Brilliant. That will really put him in a great mindset for having success with his future HS and college programs.
GoldenGraham - While you will find this site useful in many ways, I advise caution coming to any website for swing mechanic advice. There are a handful of different (and sometimes conflicting) philosophies out there and you will only end up getting more confused. Find a reputable hitting instructor in your area and stick with it. Go into your HS program trusting and believing your coaches until they prove otherwise. You have some obvious adjustments that need to be made but a structured sequence of changes set in motion by someone who is working with you regularly will be your best bet. You'll be fine.
Goldengraham, I think your hand path is fine. All swings start with the top hand above the bottom. Eventually, the hands invert. Yours do. If you start by "dropping the bat" you'll be in a world of hurt.
I would loose all the exaggerated movement. It creates too much sway in your swing. Too much head movement. It looks like your weight gets back to the outside of your back foot. Keep that weight on the inside of your back foot. To help, turn your back foot in a little. It looks like it is open. Think about the weight transfer from the inside of the back foot to the inside of the front foot.
Once you get the exaggerated body movement reduced, then you can focus on extending and finishing your swing. Right now, you are cutting it off around your body. Good luck.
Originally Posted by GoldenGraham34:
Even though this was off the tee, it went almost straight up. It was horrible contact. Anyways, I was just wanting some critique on this swing. ANY and ALL critique is welcomed, no matter how small it is. Thank you!
I would position yourself so the ball on the tee is located just a bit forward of your front foot. This is where you want to hit the ball.
Have someone film you as you toss the ball up and hit it to the outfield. You generally toss the ball out in front a bit as you complete a rotational swing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...6tkZl4zdhDYPDgW9REYP
Originally Posted by hueysdad:
He might want to make contact more out front and finish his swing.. One thing at a time though.
Yeah I've been told that I need to work on extension. What can I do to work on it? Any drills?
Originally Posted by Golfman25:
Goldengraham, I think your hand path is fine. All swings start with the top hand above the bottom. Eventually, the hands invert. Yours do. If you start by "dropping the bat" you'll be in a world of hurt.
I would loose all the exaggerated movement. It creates too much sway in your swing. Too much head movement. It looks like your weight gets back to the outside of your back foot. Keep that weight on the inside of your back foot. To help, turn your back foot in a little. It looks like it is open. Think about the weight transfer from the inside of the back foot to the inside of the front foot.
Once you get the exaggerated body movement reduced, then you can focus on extending and finishing your swing. Right now, you are cutting it off around your body. Good luck.
Ah thank you! I hadn't really thought about the exaggerated movement before this post, but I'll try to cut some of it out. And the extension helps greatly too! Also, could you see if I was using my lower body effectively enough?
Originally Posted by GoldenGraham34:
Originally Posted by Golfman25:
Goldengraham, I think your hand path is fine. All swings start with the top hand above the bottom. Eventually, the hands invert. Yours do. If you start by "dropping the bat" you'll be in a world of hurt.
I would loose all the exaggerated movement. It creates too much sway in your swing. Too much head movement. It looks like your weight gets back to the outside of your back foot. Keep that weight on the inside of your back foot. To help, turn your back foot in a little. It looks like it is open. Think about the weight transfer from the inside of the back foot to the inside of the front foot.
Once you get the exaggerated body movement reduced, then you can focus on extending and finishing your swing. Right now, you are cutting it off around your body. Good luck.
Ah thank you! I hadn't really thought about the exaggerated movement before this post, but I'll try to cut some of it out. And the extension helps greatly too! Also, could you see if I was using my lower body effectively enough?
Other than getting your weight to the outside of your back foot, your lower body looks fine. Keep you weight on the inside of the back foot.
Originally Posted by cabbagedad:
Find a reputable hitting instructor in your area and stick with it.
GG - I agree with Cabbage 100%. You seem very willing to work, and that's more than half the battle. Find a good instructor, get his thoughts on your swing, and work on what he gives you as you hit a bucket of balls every day off the tee. I'm not going to analyze your swing because I don't think you should pay too much attention to what strangers on the internet say about it, but I will say this: calm down. You've got a lot of extranious movement and nervous energy. You're going to need to get that under control.
You frequently ask for drills, and I do have one for extension that I think you'll like. I got it from a local HS coach who used to hit with my kid. Grab an old bat and go to a cage or a large, open field. Make sure nobody is in harm's way. Get into your batting stance and swing at an imaginary ball at 3/4 speed. Make sure your grip is nice and relaxed. Fully extend your arms as the end of the bat points to a point a little to the left (for a right-handed batter) of where the pitcher would be. Do that again and this time let go of the bat, allowing it to fly to that point left of the pitcher. Go grab the bat and do it again, throwing the bat further. Keep at it. There's another variation where you walk a few steps, swing an throw. That might help with all that nervous energy.
Good luck!
Slow down! The tee is not going any where.
You do have a lot of movement going on. Try taking a flatter path through the zone, stay long in the zone. Also, attach the inside part of the ball. I agree with the others. Find the best instructor in your area and hit every day.
Good luck!
Cabbage Dad,
"Most coaches" may have been an exaggeration. I have yet to meet a college or High School coach who teaches Major League swing mechanics. Nothing to be offended by.
What is often taught are mechanics that are not used in reality. It is like a "the world is flat" mentality. Every player needs to ultimately become their own teacher. Youtube is the best way to analyze the greatest hitters in the world and it is free. Video taping yourself and matching it up to the best. Have an open mind. Mike Epstein has great info. He quotes an Arizona State baseball coach in one of his dvds that says many a great collegiate baseball athlete not make it in to the MLB because of poor hitting instruction(no power).
Find a good hitting coach that you can work with weekly, hit 50 to 75 ball of a T every day of the week after you start training with a good hitting coach.
if you find a guy who wants to use terms like Rotational and linear in every conversation go somewhere else. you want a guy who treaches balance, extension, weight transfer and finish. Hitting is not rocket science unless you are selling system, then you have to make as complicated possible so people think you are really smart.
one observation is that I don't recall a kid ever having more movement in the load process...ever. important term to remember - KISS - keep it simple stupid! That is great advise for your golf swing after you finish your ball playing days as well!!!
Don't stab at the ball with the knob. Turn the barrel.
Originally Posted by Low Finish:
Don't stab at the ball with the knob. Turn the barrel.
Agree. Your hands are going forward too soon. Move the bat head back, and dont move your hands away from your body until your elbow slots.
And move the tee up to the ball of your front foot (where you should be making contact). This is why you are getting the 'extension' comments.
Verify everything you are told against what the best hitters actually do in games.
Originally Posted by Low Finish:
Turn the barrel.
You say this a lot. Please describe what it means.
Originally Posted by Golfman25:
Originally Posted by Low Finish:
Turn the barrel.
You say this a lot. Please describe what it means.
yes, please explain I don't understand at all.
Originally Posted by Dan:
Cabbage Dad,
"Most coaches" may have been an exaggeration. I have yet to meet a college or High School coach who teaches Major League swing mechanics. Nothing to be offended by.
What is often taught are mechanics that are not used in reality. It is like a "the world is flat" mentality. Every player needs to ultimately become their own teacher. Youtube is the best way to analyze the greatest hitters in the world and it is free. Video taping yourself and matching it up to the best. Have an open mind. Mike Epstein has great info. He quotes an Arizona State baseball coach in one of his dvds that says many a great collegiate baseball athlete not make it in to the MLB because of poor hitting instruction(no power).
I'm with Cabbage. WATCHING great swings is useless. Hitters need someone who watches them ... who understands swing mechanics, knows the difference in body types, etc. etc. etc.
Goldengraham: No one can give really actionable advice from this video.
Get a kickass hitting coach.
Anyone know how to delete a post? I'm trying to delete this one, but I'm not sure how.
Once it is out there, it's out there for good I believe!
Originally Posted by GoldenGraham34:
Anyone know how to delete a post? I'm trying to delete this one, but I'm not sure how.
Why do you want to delete it? There is some decent info there for you and others.
Originally Posted by Golfman25:
Originally Posted by Low Finish:
Turn the barrel.
You say this a lot. Please describe what it means.
Originally Posted by Low Finish:
At 1:50 he says the elbows stay the same distance apart during the swing, and that is proof the hands turn the bat head. He might want to get out a ruler. The elbows get 6-8 inches closer together (it's half the distance from upright elbow to the hip). I've measured this in motion software with MLB hitters, and at home.
Why is that important? It points out the importance of the elbow/shoulder in turning the bat head, and it means you shouldn't use hitting aid gadgets that are meant to keep the same elbow spacing throughout the swing.
I think people have gone off the deep end with hitting and the tiny thought process of the swing. it is athletic and fluid...some things the body needs to just do. in this application top hand torque is no different then pull the knob - really both are attempting to do the same things. everyone agrees you need lag...that is what is really happening in this particular conversation.
Originally Posted by old_school:
I think people have gone off the deep end with hitting and the tiny thought process of the swing. it is athletic and fluid...some things the body needs to just do. in this application top hand torque is no different then pull the knob - really both are attempting to do the same things. everyone agrees you need lag...that is what is really happening in this particular conversation.
Pull the knob and top hand torque are not the same thing.
Originally Posted by old_school:
I think people have gone off the deep end with hitting and the tiny thought process of the swing. it is athletic and fluid...some things the body needs to just do. in this application top hand torque is no different then pull the knob - really both are attempting to do the same things. everyone agrees you need lag...that is what is really happening in this particular conversation.
I agree completely. Knob to the ball, hands to the ball, swing down, turn the barrel it's all the same teach. Each generation has to have new terms or they can't sell new systems lol. Problem is too many people think they know a swing and although they may understand the final product they don't understand the process. So hitting guy says knob to the ball, non hitting guy hears doesn't understand start knob to the ball and teaches knob all the way to the ball. Next generation swing down at the ball. Non understanding guy hears but doesn't understand it's a starting cue and teaches swing down thru the ball. I can wait to see what crazy things come out of turn the barrel hahaha.
Originally Posted by GoldenGraham34:
How do I delete this post?
I don't know why but I can't get the Golden Graham cereal jingle out of my head. 
The interesting thing about this and an example of the problems created by analyzing a swing without knowing the individual can be summed up in one word - Language.
When my son began his hitting instruction many years ago, a significant time was spent talking and communicating with words that describe actions that the instructor wanted to convey. Dynamic Hands means a certain thing that the instructor and the student understand. Power line has a distinct meaning when they converse, Staying Stacked means something. Drifting, Torso Turn. These are all descriptive words and a language that only the student and the instructor come to understand over time.
With this language that is mutually understood, the instructor and student can actually communicate a lot about an at bat over the phone from long distances and accomplish effective analysis of a perceived issue.
This to me is why it is so important to find an instructor you trust and has a proven track record, and then stay with him and develop that relationship that involves a very specific understanding of what certain words mean in the context of a swing that has been developed over a period of time. Adjustments to the swing will occur through the years, but the language will remain the same and allow a level of communication that can be invaluable as the years pass by.
Originally Posted by Scotty83:
Originally Posted by old_school:
I think people have gone off the deep end with hitting and the tiny thought process of the swing. it is athletic and fluid...some things the body needs to just do. in this application top hand torque is no different then pull the knob - really both are attempting to do the same things. everyone agrees you need lag...that is what is really happening in this particular conversation.
I agree completely. Knob to the ball, hands to the ball, swing down, turn the barrel it's all the same teach. Each generation has to have new terms or they can't sell new systems lol. Problem is too many people think they know a swing and although they may understand the final product they don't understand the process. So hitting guy says knob to the ball, non hitting guy hears doesn't understand start knob to the ball and teaches knob all the way to the ball. Next generation swing down at the ball. Non understanding guy hears but doesn't understand it's a starting cue and teaches swing down thru the ball. I can wait to see what crazy things come out of turn the barrel hahaha.
It all looks and sounds the same to some because they do not know what to look for. Don't know if you fall into this category but many do.
Originally Posted by standballdad:
Originally Posted by Scotty83:
Originally Posted by old_school:
I think people have gone off the deep end with hitting and the tiny thought process of the swing. it is athletic and fluid...some things the body needs to just do. in this application top hand torque is no different then pull the knob - really both are attempting to do the same things. everyone agrees you need lag...that is what is really happening in this particular conversation.
I agree completely. Knob to the ball, hands to the ball, swing down, turn the barrel it's all the same teach. Each generation has to have new terms or they can't sell new systems lol. Problem is too many people think they know a swing and although they may understand the final product they don't understand the process. So hitting guy says knob to the ball, non hitting guy hears doesn't understand start knob to the ball and teaches knob all the way to the ball. Next generation swing down at the ball. Non understanding guy hears but doesn't understand it's a starting cue and teaches swing down thru the ball. I can wait to see what crazy things come out of turn the barrel hahaha.
It all looks and sounds the same to some because they do not know what to look for. Don't know if you fall into this category but many do.
The only difference should be which ever one of the cues gets through to the student. Different students respond to different things. IMO over analysis and incorrect teaching has led those cues to mean different things. I have no problem using turn the barrel as a cue. If that's what gets through to the student but I also use knob to the ball, throw the spear in the ground, pull the chain, flick the bugger on the ump, or anything I can come up with to get the kids light bulb to come on. Heck when one of my players or students is batting and I yell out hey you need to slap it. I can garutee no one at that field know what I'm talking about except me and my student.
A good instructor teaching knob to the ball is teaching turn the barel to position the bat for knob to the ball. It's just the terms he or she is comfortable teaching. But someone reads if you hear a coach saying knob to the ball run he doesn't understand hitting. Then that person watches pro player saying knob to the ball so now that person gets online telling everyone he can don't listen to pro player they don't know what there teaching. Now kid is learning hitting from someone who couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat instead of someone who can actually do the skill he's teaching.
I would bet if the two of us could enter each other's brains we would be describing the exact same thing. If we were in a cage having this conversation and could show each other what we mean. We could quickly see we're on the same page. The problems IMO comes from those standing out side the cage listening to our conversation.
Originally Posted by Scotty83:
teaching turn the barrel to position the bat for knob to the ball.
This is not an outcome of turning the barrel correctly. You turn the barrel to get the barrel on plane early and deep, it provides early barrel direction and early barrel speed.
Originally Posted by standballdad:
Originally Posted by Scotty83:
teaching turn the barrel to position the bat for knob to the ball.
This is not an outcome of turning the barrel correctly. You turn the barrel to get the barrel on plane early and deep, it provides early barrel direction and early barrel speed.
you almost had me....but i am not going to get into an arguement on line over terminology and mircro fraction in time...not gonna happen - but you were sooooo close.
Originally Posted by floridafan:
The interesting thing about this and an example of the problems created by analyzing a swing without knowing the individual can be summed up in one word - Language.
When my son began his hitting instruction many years ago, a significant time was spent talking and communicating with words that describe actions that the instructor wanted to convey. Dynamic Hands means a certain thing that the instructor and the student understand. Power line has a distinct meaning when they converse, Staying Stacked means something. Drifting, Torso Turn. These are all descriptive words and a language that only the student and the instructor come to understand over time.
With this language that is mutually understood, the instructor and student can actually communicate a lot about an at bat over the phone from long distances and accomplish effective analysis of a perceived issue.
This to me is why it is so important to find an instructor you trust and has a proven track record, and then stay with him and develop that relationship that involves a very specific understanding of what certain words mean in the context of a swing that has been developed over a period of time. Adjustments to the swing will occur through the years, but the language will remain the same and allow a level of communication that can be invaluable as the years pass by.
this i feel is very well said.
Originally Posted by old_school:
Originally Posted by standballdad:
Originally Posted by Scotty83:
teaching turn the barrel to position the bat for knob to the ball.
This is not an outcome of turning the barrel correctly. You turn the barrel to get the barrel on plane early and deep, it provides early barrel direction and early barrel speed.
you almost had me....but i am not going to get into an arguement on line over terminology and mircro fraction in time...not gonna happen - but you were sooooo close.
Haha LOL wasn't trying to drag you in. It's all good.
I have never seen a kid that needed to be told to take the knob to the ball. Most need to be told not to take the knob to the ball.
Originally Posted by SultanofSwat:
I have never seen a kid that needed to be told to take the knob to the ball. I have seen hundreds that needed to be told not to take the knob to the ball.
again you want to argue over terminology. hell your avitar of the babe shows him taking the knob to the ball...just like every good hitter that has ever lived, along with every good golfer who ever lived and i would be willing to bet every good cricket player as well...top hand torque, knob, linear, rotational...marketing bullshit to create need.
i have lived it, paid for it, understand them both....and will not waste my life in an arguement where we agree on about 90% of the items.
