Trying to evaluate a 9U swing

[mudvnine]

I have been following this thread pretty closely. I think the diferences both sides are pointing out are really semantics..whatever works in the teaching process.....

Really not semantics at all, but rather two different philosophies. One employees a more active use of the hands/wrists in the loading process, while the other does not.

I'll be heard telling a kid, "C'mon, free up your hands", meaning that he needs to use them more to get the barrel/bat to a better launch position.....the other "side" does not believe that they are used or needed to accomplish that.

...of everything I heard...I actually still like mike epstein's explanation and teaching method the best.... I guess he advocates turning rather than throwing but he certainly doesn't call it that.

As far as Epstein goes, pinning the bat to the deltoid in the "Torque Drill", is the exact opposite of using the hands to actively "turn" and launch the barrel.

From that bat on the deltoid position, he is not "turning" anything, all the hitter can do is "push" the barrel to the ball with his arms, but that's a whole other thread.

[giantheart]

Really not semantics at all, but rather two different philosophies. One employees a more active use of the hands/wrists in the loading process, while the other does not.

I'll be heard telling a kid, "C'mon, free up your hands", meaning that he needs to use them more to get the barrel/bat to a better launch position.....the other "side" does not believe that they are used or needed to accomplish that.


As far as Epstein goes, pinning the bat to the deltoid in the "Torque Drill", is the exact opposite of using the hands to actively "turn" and launch the barrel.

From that bat on the deltoid position, he is not "turning" anything, all the hitter can do is "push" the barrel to the ball with his arms, but that's a whole other thread.

I think the hand path to both should be similar....I understand what your saying though.

Frankly, it is akin to conciously "swishing the bug" vs. popping your hips and letting the back leg hinge naturally from the effects of your hips. Difference of teaching philosophy and point of view....both trying to accomplishe the same motion.

with regard to epstein... the torque drill is just a drill to get your hips to torque....he does not advocate pinning the bat to the deltoid as part of a normal swing...I also would not describe it as pushing the barrel to the ball....he certianly does not advocate that. It is more like whipping your hips around, pulling with your hips, while you turn the bat with your hands/arms. He does not say "turn the bat"....but rather says... tuck the back elbow into the hip while lifting your front elbow up... this esentially turns the bat. I am no epstein expert and not trying to start an argument....but that is my impression.

I have seen the "throwing the bat" drills on some videos before....it is interesting....but are the guys that advocate "throwing the bat" generating power from their arms at the expense of their hips? have the hips rotated before the "throwing" or after? I was always under the impression that the arms are just a carrier for the power generated at the hips...which I guess is why I always "turned the bat"....It seems to me throwing the bat would work well as a cue if you instruct to use the hips to generate the power. I could see where "throwing the bat" followers could encourage arm swingers instead of body swingers.

just my novice opinion

[pstein]

I'll be heard telling a kid, "C'mon, free up your hands", meaning that he needs to use them more to get the barrel/bat to a better launch position.....the other "side" does not believe that they are used or needed to accomplish that.

That's good advice. The hands need to be active early. I believe there's pressure felt in the top hand. Now as to what causes the pressure in MLB hitters, I don't know.

[giantheart]

......
Basically, I prefer the HI method/teaching to Yeager (throw the barrel).

what is the HI method you are referring to?