What do you guys think of this piece of advice?

Is it possible that something was lost in the translation? It seems hard to believe that any coach would actually say that proper mechanics are not important. Perhaps what he meant to say was that your son is not going to achieve optimum results unless he works on strength training as well.

Perhaps, but having observed this guy over the past year, it's obvious that he has room for improvement in the instruction dept. Although I didn't hear the comment first hand, heard and seen things that would cause you to scratch your head. But your right, surely the message was lost in translation and I'm not giving Coach the benefit of the doubt.

CF Dad

Well I say forget the comment and anything related to it. Either the coach is not very good, your son didn't understand him or he didn't relay the whole message. It's a very common thing that goes on. When I've told my guys stuff that I thought was crystal clear it's amazing the things they hear or what comes out when they try to restate it. Plus there are times when I know what I'm wanting to say but do a horrible job of saying it.

Overall your son has to do two things - get stronger and keep working on the mechanics.

I wouldn't spend most of the time doing bench or preacher curls. An athlete needs to focus on the core and then get the extremeties as they move on in the workout. Bat speed comes from a strong midsection.

Keep working the mechanics too because a muscle guy who looks like he's carrying suitcases can't do squat with that power if his swing looks horrible.

Maybe this explains it...

"Plus there are times when I know what I'm wanting to say but do a horrible job of saying it."

Dito on that one coach 2709, Dito, LOL.....nice post warning track

quote:

Originally posted by CF Dad:
My son was in the indoor cage at school hitting off the tee with another teammate. Coach walks in and asks "what are you guys working on?" My son, who is 100 pounds soaking wet, says: "working on proper technique in getting the bat head through the zone."

His coach says: "that's the silliest think he's ever heard. Technique is not important, bat speed is what's important and the only way your going to increase bat speed is by bench press and preacher curls."

Wonder what you experienced coaches think of that?

CF Dad

Experienced coaches automatically precludes me. But I'll give you my opinion (for what it's worth). Bench press and Preacher curls are to impress girls. Biceps and the Pectoralis Major are not muscles needed for a swing. The hands and hips DRIVE the swing.

The majority of power comes from the lower half. It comes from the hips, hence Ted Williams' insistence that "Hips Lead the Way". The hands allow for quick adjustment, as well as the ability to check the swing. IMO, they do far more than hold on. I feel that it is necessary for them to work in order to be the best hitter you can be.

Bat speed is worthless UNLESS you have the technique to deliver the bat to the ball in a reasonable amount of time (4-5 frames in a baseball game). A good technique will allow you to do so rather easily. Hip C o c k and hand c o c k allow for the proper technique and a quick bat. No hip c o c k will slow the hips, and no hand c o c k will slow the hands. Hence, my like of the Tip n' Rip.

This is an instance where I would say nod your head at the coach, say "Yes, Sir" and then continue doing what you've been doing.

I'll bite on this one....is it possible that the young man in question here is an "over-analyzer"? I know i've had a lot of great kids who spend so much time thinking about every minute detail of their swing that they lose any athleticism in the swing and become mechanical.

Just a thought.

They tell a story about Larry “Yogi” Berra, the New York Yankees’ new No. 1 catcher and his Manager Bucky Harris. Yogi is known as a bad ball hitter and Bucky decided to do something about it.

They tell a story about Larry “Yogi” Berra, the New York Yankees’ new No. 1 catcher and his Manager Bucky Harris. Yogi is known as a bad ball hitter and Bucky decided to do something about it.

“Think when you get up there,” he told Berra. “Make the pitcher come in with the ball. Don’t be too eager. Make him get it over. Think. Think.”

Berra went to the plate and took 3 called strikes. He walked to the dugout and sat down.



“How can anybody think and hit at the same time,” he mumbled.