Hitting Guru's.... thoughts?

[mkoehn]

I have been posting videos of my son(s) here for a few years. This year my oldest is playing on a 10U AAA travel team. He has been up and down, but lately swinging a pretty good bat. I have some game swings slowed down that I would like opinions on. First of all, season is almost over so not looking to change alot. But what I am looking for is what would you focus on in the off season. These 2 swings are from a recent game: First swing a double over LF's head and bounced off fence, 2nd swing was a ling shot right up the middle over pitchers head.

Here is my quick list of what I would work on:
1. Shoulders still can be upside down
2. Hands moving forward before foot down
3. Get foot down sooner

Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NemllkT4mjU

Thanks for all the constructive comments!

[songtitle]

He coils toward the catcher before he starts moving forward. Usually, you coil as you move forward. This is probably the cause of #2 on your list - and maybe #3 also.

Back elbow is down at toe touch, losing power.

[NoonTime]

[songtitle]

noon, great clip. I haven't studied Posey much. He certainly begins his leg kick before he moves forward.

But, Posey continues to coil as he drives forward (watch his hands remain at/near his back foot). OP stops all of his coil before he moves forward (his hands are moving toward the pitcher).

[mkoehn]

Song - Great stuff as usual. I think part of his issue is how he was always taught in clinics (and how I have seen people teach). It usually goes something like: Load, stride, go (swing, extend) something like that. He has internalized that as coil as much as you can during load, then stride. His hands move forward not as a start to his swing, but more of a side effect of striding. Like his hands are as far back as he dare go, and his step is making his whole body move forward. Make sense?

Any things you suggest to teach him differently? As he has been playing alot of ball in his young 10 years, this unfortunately has become a habit. I want to pick one or 2 "habits" to work on changing this winter. Sounds like this should be high on his list....

[CircleChange11]

Song - Great stuff as usual. I think part of his issue is how he was always taught in clinics (and how I have seen people teach). It usually goes something like: Load, stride, go (swing, extend) something like that. He has internalized that as coil as much as you can during load, then stride. His hands move forward not as a start to his swing, but more of a side effect of striding. Like his hands are as far back as he dare go, and his step is making his whole body move forward. Make sense?

Any things you suggest to teach him differently? As he has been playing alot of ball in his young 10 years, this unfortunately has become a habit. I want to pick one or 2 "habits" to work on changing this winter. Sounds like this should be high on his list....

My son does something similar. Lots of very good things, but then he (my son) blows it by having his hands come forward before heel drop.

In regards to your son, I'm never in favor of the "stepping over a barrel" stride, not in batting or pitching.

Someone posted a video of Posey, look at what BP does with his bat as compared to what your son does with his. Note how the barrel moves before the swing and during. It's one reason why I never want youth hitters to "lay the bat flat". They aren't ARod, they don't get it back to a "tip" and "stretch" position. They just "swing flat".

[mkoehn]

That big stride (which he started more of this year), is another thing on the list I don't really like. I am a little confused at what to work on though. Like I said, he has been hitting the ball well. But when he goes bad, he is late on everything which I directly attribute to big stride. It really looks bad on slow-mo

[songtitle]

Frankly, I would have him work in the mirror on the 'stance to toe touch' phase. Decide what you want that process to look like, and repeat in the mirror.

For extra bonus points after a week or two, maybe even use some bathroom scales, as well. Try to land with 100%+ of his weight at toe touch. (hint, notice how Posey keeps his front knee 'back' - even with or behind his front hip - as long as possible)

That big stride (which he started more of this year), is another thing on the list I don't really like.

If he brought it up like Posey, it would be better. Right now, he seems to open his hips (not positive) as he drops his front foot. (The scales may help with this also)

[CircleChange11]

That big stride (which he started more of this year), is another thing on the list I don't really like. I am a little confused at what to work on though. Like I said, he has been hitting the ball well. But when he goes bad, he is late on everything which I directly attribute to big stride. It really looks bad on slow-mo

There are things to work on.

1. Coiling
2. Stretch
3. Barre; Turn / Tip.

Again, watch what Posey, Bonds, Cabrera, Longoria, Konerko, and most others do with their hands. Compare to what your son does.

Looks at the hips and lower back of each of those players in their swings and compare to your sons.

In slo motion video, place dots on the barrel of your son's bath throughout the swing. Note the barrel path.

I am NOT AT ALL criticizing your son. You just stated that you weren't what to work on, and I wanted to give some ideas. We're on our way to the diamonds right now to work on hip coiling. In the next few days it'll be the next step.

[mkoehn]

Circle - Thanks for the info. No worries about criticizing.... I learned a while ago if I am going to post clips on here I better be ready for honest answers. I cannot see the Posey link you guys are referring to. Anyone want to post the link again? Noontime's post is blank for me.

Song - Thanks for the tip. He has his last league game tonight and 2 state tournaments in the next few weeks. Then comes time to start working on improving for next year. Along with football, basketball, school, etc....

[NoonTime]

Let's try it this way:

10U_Posey_comp.gif

I sent you a PM as well mkoehn.

Cheers,
NoonTime