stepping closed vs stepping open

[Giode]

Hello all!

I've been working with my seven year old son for a while now on various mechanics of his swing. For his age, I feel that his development is coming along well. He's put in a lot of hard work over the past couple years.

However, he's having an issue with stepping out. I wouldn't say that it's a full "stepping in the bucket" step-out, but rather than step directly forward on his swings, he steps forward and back and inch. Maybe two inches sometimes. We've worked hard to try and correct it, knowing that (as Song has said on numerous post) he may not be inward coiling enough, leading to the more outward step. I've tried a wider stance, that requires less of a step, but he doesn't like it. Says that it's harder to generate power and momentum from. I don't want to put down objects that obstruct his ability to step slightly out, like a bucket, or long piece of wood, as that doesn't seem to address the bigger issue or mechanical flaw causing this.

So, I guess what I would like to know is if stepping slightly open is okay, or if it needs to be fixed so that he is only stepping directly forward on swings? Also, I know he's young, but we do a lot of bp, and I don't want bad habits being engrained at such a young age. I'd rather address issues now, than when it becomes a much harder problem to fix.

Input would be greatly appreciated!

[songtitle]

If you coil in as you stride forward, it's hard to step open.

I've tried dozens of other things (2x4s, tennis balls, devices, straps, you name it), but this works on everyone.

Focus on turning in the front shoulder and hip just slightly. Ignore cues for the front leg and foot.

[Giode]

Thanks. That's been my focus; to try and get him to coil *as* he steps forward. I've done a lot research on this forum about it. I need to look at his swing on video to really see what he's doing there. Somehow he's stepping slightly out as he coils. I'm thinking it's more that he's coiling with his arms, but not his hips as much. More of an upper body coil, I guess.

Is this a common problem dads have with younger kids? Just curious. It's driving me crazy

[bbrages]

Is this a common problem dads have with younger kids? Just curious.

Yes, very common.

Sometimes it's driven by fear of the ball.

[HYP]

IMO there is nothing wrong with stepping a little open. You can still maintain a coil in the rear hip and step slightly open.

Also, not trying to start anything but.... he is 7, let him swing a swing hard. Create fun drills that will help force things you want. Also, I noticed that you said his development has come along good over the last couple of years. He was 5.

Good luck

[Giode]

Yes, but I assure you he does enjoy it. There's no arm twisting on my part. I've never once heard him grumble or say he'd rather do something else. The thing is, if we are going to be practicing anyway, I'd like him to learn the correct way. I've read on this forum where people have said that problems are easier (and better) addressed when young. I hear you though, and I'm trying to keep this in perspective.

Even though he does step a little open, he hits the ball hard. The issue is, he pulls the ball predictably toward the third base side, or foul. I guess more than anything, I wanted to hear about others experience with this, and what they did to overcome it? Also, your saying that a little open is okay is a big help. Thanks!

IMO there is nothing wrong with stepping a little open. You can still maintain a coil in the rear hip and step slightly open.

Also, not trying to start anything but.... he is 7, let him swing a swing hard. Create fun drills that will help force things you want. Also, I noticed that you said his development has come along good over the last couple of years. He was 5.

Good luck

[Giode]

Yes, very common.

Sometimes it's driven by fear of the ball.

I think that's where it might have started actually. This is the first year we've purely focused on hitting hard balls. Up until this year, it was wiffle balls and tennis balls. While I do not believe he's scared now, it's become sort an instinct to step slightly out. Hard to get into a little guys head and fix that, when it's done so subconsciously. You know what I mean? Thanks for the comment.

[$tinky]

Yes, very common.

Sometimes it's driven by fear of the ball.

Very true, just this past week my son (8) began stepping out so bad that he could only hit inside pitch. I tried putting him on the balance beam but he'd step off of it too.

I switched to tennis balls and it was like a different kid. We took bp for two straight day with only tennis balls and off the tee. Then went to regular balls and the problem pretty much went away. I'm pretty convinced it was fear of the ball.

[The Glovedoctor]

I coach the same age group, and have a few kids who either "step in the bucket" habitually or do it every now and then.

I am sure some will disagree, but I move them to "no stride" and work on keeping their front side closed. The cue I use is the ole "chin on the shoulder." Then we ease back in to it.

[songtitle]

I am sure some will disagree, but I move them to "no stride" and work on keeping their front side closed. The cue I use is the ole "chin on the shoulder." Then we ease back in to it.

I have tried all these things. The problem is that you are trying to fix one thing, and creating 3 more problems.

Stopping the stride prevents them from learning how to properly coil inward, and it weakens their swing.

The 'chin on the shoulder' cue (which I have used) promotes upside-down shoulders at toe touch. The front shoulder should (slightly) drop during the coil (which makes the shoulder further from the chin), then at toe touch, the shoulders reverse (front shoulder goes up) as you swing.

[Encinitas]

Just make sure to use some common sense here with age.

Stepping out in and of itself is not a bid deal. Many great hitters strided to open (Albert Belle, Magglio Ordonez, Barry Bonds sometimes). Having said that there is a point with little guys that it does get a bit ridiculous and you have to correct it. It doesn't sound like this is him.

ABelle1995CLE_HomerunCF_FView.gif

Ordonez.gif

[bbrages]

For my six-year-old, it's his main hitting flaw -- he will step out to such an extent that he can't reach the outside half of the plate. Of course, he's swinging a short bat most of the time, too.

In his case, I don't think it's related to fear of the ball because he does it just as badly with underhand or wiffle pitches. I think he may be outgrowing it, though... I haven't paid a lot of attention to it because he's just now developing an interest in baseball anyway.

[The Glovedoctor]

I have tried all these things. The problem is that you are trying to fix one thing, and creating 3 more problems.

Stopping the stride prevents them from learning how to properly coil inward, and it weakens their swing.

I don't necessarily agree. It is possible to get an inward coil with the hips/shoulders without striding. Some people even use negative strides. Besides, I don't advocate using "no stride" all of the time - sometimes it just helps kind of "reset" the hitter.

The problem is opening up the front side, not really the stride. Going "no stride" makes it easier for me to get my boys back to staying closed and getting maximum plate coverage when they are bailing and opening everything up. As they start to "feel it," reintroduce the trigger of the stride.

The 'chin on the shoulder' cue (which I have used) promotes upside-down shoulders at toe touch. The front shoulder should (slightly) drop during the coil (which makes the shoulder further from the chin), then at toe touch, the shoulders reverse (front shoulder goes up) as you swing.

Sure, but it's just a cue. I think just by saying (or even pointing to my chin and shoulder) the cue, I can see the boys instantly become aware of the closed front side. Of course you don't keep your chin on your shoulder throughout the swing. It's just the starting point.

[Giode]

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Thanks for these! The Magglio Ordonez and Albert Bell step-out is much like what I'm seeing with my son. I keep thinking that by doing this, he's losing power, but maybe that's not correct after all. I'm going to keep working on getting this closed more, but this answers a lot of the questions I had.

[Giode]

I coach the same age group, and have a few kids who either "step in the bucket" habitually or do it every now and then.

I am sure some will disagree, but I move them to "no stride" and work on keeping their front side closed. The cue I use is the ole "chin on the shoulder." Then we ease back in to it.

We worked a little with a wider stance...and it made my son miserable, haha! Wasn't generating anywhere near the power he usually does. Heck, I think if you log enough repetitions at anything, you can adjust. And I'm sure he would as well. But, I worried about taking away his natural swing, so I decided to continue working with the stance he's comfortable with, and try and correct this over time.

As was said before, I'm having a hard time teaching inward coiling with the hips. If he's still stepping out, he must not be doing it enough.