Rotational Hitting Cues

[CoachZbo]

But its obvious that there is push from the front side to aid in hip rotation, correct? And I know that the front leg doesn't "lock" until just before contact. But it isn't happening at all with my son as his upper body has drifted too far forward.

[Mark H]

However, for the life of me I can't get him to push back with his front foot/heel to open his hips, resulting in a firm/locked front leg and lowered/bent back leg.

If by push back you mean quickly stabilize the front hip joint, sure. If by push back, you mean knee extension to start rotation, no.

Instead, he gets a little too forward which reduces his hip turn and doesn't allow his bat to follow the correct swing path..

Sounds like lunging?

Are there any cues or tips that I can use to facilitate him getting his lower body working correctly?..

Everyone has drills to cure lunging if that's what he's doing. I recommend Englishbey.

Currently, I demonstrate the proper techniques for him and tell him to fire his hips by pushing back with his front foot while taking soft tosses.

Zbo

I wouldn't do that. If you watch ML hitters the knee straightens toward the end of rotation not at the first. Save yourself a lot of time and spend 30 bucks for Englishbey's basic dvd. You need to understand the nature of rotation.

[CoachZbo]

No, his hips are closed at foot plant. It is a bit of a lunge as he moves forward more than he should after the foot plant. That's the reason I asked for a specific cue that maybe some of you used that would help in his understanding of what his body needs to do. I think a lot of it has to do with age and not being in tune with his body. I remind him to stay back and then we really concentrate on the hips....he just doesn't push back much at all with his front foot/leg and there is too much bend in his front knee and not enough tilt back.

As his body inches forward so do his hands and he is not in the correct swing path. We work on keeping hands back, soft stride for balance, and firing the hips...but at this point it is a work in progresss, which is fine. He is still under 60 lbs and will get much stronger. I just want to avoid many bad habits for the future.

Zbo

[Slapper23]

CoachZ,

By you saying your son gets a little too far forward, is he lunging? If not, he could be doing what 4X4 suggests. Otherwise, I agree with 4x4 concerning whatever cue works for you and your son.

Mike

[4for4]

I've been working with my 8 yr old son to get him moving in the right direction as he gets older and stronger. The major issue that I'm having is for him to understand to use his lower body in an effective way. His setup is very nice at the plate and he takes a soft, short stride with good timing. However, for the life of me I can't get him to push back with his front foot/heel to open his hips, resulting in a firm/locked front leg and lowered/bent back leg. Instead, he gets a little too forward which reduces his hip turn and doesn't allow his bat to follow the correct swing path.

Are there any cues or tips that I can use to facilitate him getting his lower body working correctly? Currently, I demonstrate the proper techniques for him and tell him to fire his hips by pushing back with his front foot while taking soft tosses.

Zbo

Z, this is the problem. The hips are firing before/into coming down on the front foot. As for cues, experiment. What ever one gets the result you are looking for will be just fine as long as you, the instructor understand the realities of the movements.

[Slapper23]

Yes, yes, yes, Mark. If we're talking about the MLB, no, we would not want back knee extension, but I think Coach Z already is aware of that. The hitter may still push from the inside of the back foot in combination with using the pelvic muscles. This combination results in a more forceful hip turn.

Mike

[Mark H]

Coach,

I would recommend using the hips differently by emphasizing "hips first" by using a combination of the pelvic muscles and a push from the back foot to turn the hips HARD and forcefully. Mike

Make sure your hitter doesn't interpret push from the back foot as involving knee extension of the back leg to push the hip around.

[Slapper23]

Coach,

I would recommend using the hips differently by emphasizing "hips first" by using a combination of the pelvic muscles and a push from the back foot to turn the hips HARD and forcefully. If you rotate into toe touch and continue transferring weight and momentum into the front foot/leg, OTW known as "forward by turning", the front leg should straighten at bat/ball contact as the foot BLOCKS the momentum and transfers it up the chain.

If you work on these things and get what you're trying to do to your son, then the cue "hips first" CAN be a simple cue that incorporates the above movements. Your son can easily learn that the cue means to move in the ways you have worked on and talked about.

I've had a lot of success with kids your son's age using the simple cue of "hips first." But you have to do the hard work at practice with constant reinforcement for this cue to work.

Best of luck,
Mike

[CoachZbo]

I've been working with my 8 yr old son to get him moving in the right direction as he gets older and stronger. The major issue that I'm having is for him to understand to use his lower body in an effective way. His setup is very nice at the plate and he takes a soft, short stride with good timing. However, for the life of me I can't get him to push back with his front foot/heel to open his hips, resulting in a firm/locked front leg and lowered/bent back leg. Instead, he gets a little too forward which reduces his hip turn and doesn't allow his bat to follow the correct swing path.

Are there any cues or tips that I can use to facilitate him getting his lower body working correctly? Currently, I demonstrate the proper techniques for him and tell him to fire his hips by pushing back with his front foot while taking soft tosses.

Zbo