New Hitter For Review

[Ohfor]

http://www.teachersbilliards.com/josh042106a.gif

http://www.teachersbilliards.com/josh042106b.gif http://www.teachersbilliards.com/baseball/brndn/hitting/brndn033006Springfield.gif

Comments?

[Trot2millah]

Tell him to drop the hitch. His hands aren't getting back up to where they need to be.

[Mark H]

Disconnection. Could be very good if he got the right help. Bet he makes a lot of contact but wishes he had more power?

[LClifton]

I count 5 frames from front heel plant to contact.
Indicating some very good quickness.
I see very good rotation.
The "hitch",,,to me appears to be a timing mechanism, and agree that not so much the hands but the rear elbow may end up a little low.
This is due to:
His rear shoulder does not appear to load, -----it does some, but not much, from what I can see.

There is no box, but if the rear shoulder is loaded, I believe you would see a better looking box.

The bat position looks good (in front of him, not trapped)
The athleticism of this young man is apparent. Does he play basketball?

Posture needs to be addressed: sticking his bottom out while he is loading would help his overall look (form) but, I think it would benefit his ability to get to other pitches.
He has no "restricted" look to his swing.

There is some bat lag but he seems to recover pretty quickly.
Not sure from this angle, but the elbow slots a little, could be due to the pitch (s) being pretty far inside?

Both pitches looks like the pitcher missed his spot and threw inside based on the catchers reaction, which is not all that important, I guess, but it appears, he hit a pop fly, and maybe a foul ball. So, my point would be does he hit a lot of balls left side with this type of swing?

No tilt to the shoulders, especially in his load. His shoulders have matched the location of this pitch. He is very level, which again could affect his ability to hit other locations effectively.

Overall, very quick and athletic, What grade is this young man?

Good stuff, he moves well, just needs to optimize some things.

Did either swing produce a hit? Just curious.

Sincerely,
LClifton

[Ohfor]

He's in the "right help's" house 2 or 3 times per week. He's pursueing my daughter. :( But, the "right helper" is not sure how to approach him.....or whether I should.

This was the first time I've seen him play. Neither swing hit the ball very hard. He's starting on the varsity as a soph. Very aggressive and you wouldn't guess he's an underclassman by watching him. He's played more ball than most on this team.

I agree Mark. He disconnects big time and "overcomes" with his athletic ability.............for a little while longer.

To me this is classic "hands to the ball" disquised by an athletic rotation that is done improperly.

[Mark H]

If he's pursuing your daughter he must be a pretty tough kid knowing your daughter's dad. I think he develops and transfers momentum and rotates well. He just doesn't connect that to the bat. Maybe do a little side by side video and ask him what HE sees and play it by ear from there. And yeah, he needs to tilt over. Why would anyone throw him a high pitch like these? Let's put it at the knees kid and see if you know how to adjust for that. ;)

Better ask DD what she thinks. She might or might not like you two hanging out together. I can hear it now, "MOM, dad says just one more bucket of balls but he's going to make us late to the movie!" Maybe your son is the one to broach the subject this summer and invite him along when you and your son go hit. When he sees that, he's going to want some of that action.

[LClifton]

He's in the "right help's" house 2 or 3 times per week. He's pursueing my daughter. :( But, the "right helper" is not sure how to approach him.....or whether I should.
I would and did with my daughter's boyfriend. Told him if he's gonna play baseball he needs batting practice. Get out in the cage.!!!

To me this is classic "hands to the ball" disquised by an athletic rotation, but improperly done.
So, you used fewer words than me...I recognized the uniform as being the same as Brandon's High School clips, so I was trying to be nice. How'd I do?:D

[Ohfor]

I added my son Brandon's clip to the above post.

I find it a very interesting contrast for those new posters trying to figure out what connection is.

Not that Brandon is a poster boy or anything. But, he looked like Josh a couple of years ago. And the difference in their two swings is striking, IMHO.

[Ohfor]

I would and did with my daughter's boyfriend. Told him if he's gonna play baseball he needs batting practice. Get out in the cage.!!!


So, you used fewer words than me...I recognized the uniform as being the same as Brandon's High School clips, so I was trying to be nice. How'd I do?:D

From what I can tell, you don't need anyone's help. Good analysis.

You asked about basketball. Yes, he plays. Last year he was 5'9". This year he's 6'3". And still growing. His mother is real tall. His dad is tall.

He's a middle infielder and catcher..............................even more goodies for me.

[LClifton]

He's a middle infielder and catcher..............................even more goodies for me.
As in.....give you something to do while Brandon's away?

[Ohfor]

...Maybe do a little side by side video and ask him what HE sees and play it by ear from there...

That's a good idea. I have gif animator but I've never figured out how to do side by side's yet.

I was going to email the clips to him but a side by side would surely peak his interest.

[Ohfor]

As in.....give you something to do while Brandon's away?

Yup. Do you think I could get him more interested in me than my daughter?

This daughter stuff is nerve racking.

[LClifton]

Yup. Do you think I could get him more interested in me than my daughter?
Highly unlikely, but since I've started working with JC's boyfriend the times he comes over, the visits are pretty dang fun, talkin' baseball and hitting.
I've got no sons, so, it's pretty cool that way.

[Ohfor]

Highly unlikely...

Are you saying I don't have the right stuff?:)

[ssarge]

Highly unlikely, but since I've started working with JC's boyfriend the times he comes over, the visits are pretty dang fun, talkin' baseball and hitting.
I've got no sons, so, it's pretty cool that way.

Plus he associates his girl friend's father w/ a guy who is pretty handy w/ a -3. THAT works.

Best regards,

Scott

[chesspirate]

work out a deal with the boy. "you wanna date my daughter, here's some groundrules (insert here) AND you have to spend X hours a week working on your swing with me"

I think that is a fair trade. It's pretty tuff to stop teenagers from dating in general, but maybee this way you can keep an eye on him.

[fungo22]

I'm still waiting on the second clip to download through my modem (58% done), but I'm not seeing disconnecton in the first clip (042106a). I don't see what I would call a "hitch" either, but I guess it depends what you mean by "hitch." It looks to me like his busy hands are getting the bat more or less perpendicular to his spine (i.e., "flat") as his swing begins instead of earlier. He gets the direction of the knob changed fairly efficienty, still connected to What I think I see is poor rotation that is initiated in large part by momentum (in this case "weight shift") from his stride. His foot crashing down jumps starts his turn. He has next to no load, and so has very little unload from the middle. His posture, including "box," is not very efficient, so he has to use his arms to set swing path.

His pitch selection isn't something he can boast about either. He tucks his back elbow in (as Loren observed) and still hit pulled the ball over the 3rd base dugout off the handle.

One thing I do see (which could be characterized as "disconnection") is a subtle "pulling" of the knob with the bottom hand as he starts his swing. He starts out with his hands in pretty good position, but he pulls them forward with his bottom arm (see the elbow flex) and they are too far forward - not "behind his shoulder rotation" - throughout most of his swing.

59% complete.

[chesspirate]

One thing I do see (which could be characterized as "disconnection") is a subtle "pulling" of the knob with the bottom hand as he starts his swing. He starts out with his hands in pretty good position, but he pulls them forward with his bottom arm (see the elbow flex) and they are too far forward - not "behind his shoulder rotation" - throughout most of his swing.

That is the first thing i noticed in these swings actually, really stuck out to me.

I'm more interested i think on where he picked this up. Ohfor will take care of him and fix it, so no bother, but where did he get that move?

[MSandman]

That's a good idea. I have gif animator but I've never figured out how to do side by side's yet.

I was going to email the clips to him but a side by side would surely peak his interest.

Consider this a peace offering.

http://www.teachersbilliards.com/JoshBrandonSyncContact.gif

[Comm]

Why do I still see hands pushing towards the ball? He also needs to have a much higher backlift to generate increases in bat speed. However, his core rotation is right on the spot!

[swingbuster]

Top hand push swing in green for sure. This is a common problem. NO matter how well you turn your hips , the rotation does nothng if the top hand has the bat.

Yet again another player never connecting the bottom hand to the swing.

Two choices:

1. Teach him how to connect the bottom hand...good luck as it is pretty ingrained by now

2 Change his hand set and work a better loading pattern whereby he must connect the bottom hand.

His wrist never come cocked 90 degrees to forarm...by why would they if he is going to hit with the top hand.

He has no rotation center between his hands. The pressure point on the bat is at the top of the top hand as he pushes forward

[Ohfor]

One thing I do see (which could be characterized as "disconnection") is a subtle "pulling" of the knob with the bottom hand as he starts his swing. He starts out with his hands in pretty good position, but he pulls them forward with his bottom arm (see the elbow flex) and they are too far forward - not "behind his shoulder rotation" - throughout most of his swing.



Interesting.

I see what you're saying. I see the same move. But, I'd swear he does that with his lead elbow so his top hand can push to the ball. He's throwing a punch in this swing. A rear arm punch. IMHO.

I don't see lead arm pull. I see it bend so top hand can push.

Either way, lead arm is pathetic. But, I must say both pitches were inside. One extremely inside.

[Ohfor]

...His wrist never come cocked 90 degrees to forarm...by why would they if he is going to hit with the top hand.

Good observation.

...He has no rotation center between his hands. The pressure point on the bat is at the top of the top hand as he pushes forward

Or as a PCRer may say, the radius of rotation is not his hands it's his rear elbow. Making for a long swing.

[Ohfor]

Consider this a peace offering.

http://members.cox.net/dsanda/Josh%20vs.%20Brandon.gif

Thank you Sandman. You are most generous with your time.

Please don't barf. I mean it.:)

And, I'm not trying to suck up to the posse by being nice either.:D

[Ohfor]

Do you think comparing Josh to Brandon would have the same effect as comparing Josh to a mlb player?

Anyone want to make a side by side with Derek Lee.

I see "similarities" in body build (ok, height) and swing (the stride and timing of it).

http://www.teachersbilliards.com/baseball/2/dleeside.gif

I don't ask for too much do I?

An interesting observation....

When you play the side by side frame by frame, this kid really has some quickness. He starts one frame sooner than Brandon (1/2 a frame, maybe?) and travels way "out front" to hit the ball. Brandon lets the ball get to him. Josh goes and gets it. Yet, there is barely a time difference.

Brandon's bat travels the width of his body in that time. From his rear shoulder, to his front knee. Josh's bat travels the width plus 1-2 feet. He goes from his rear shoulder to 1-2 in front of him.

Maybe that says more about Brandon than anything else.

But, if this kid would learn to hit the ball deeper in the zone, he could really be something.

[Ohfor]

I'm going to make a move.

I've been informed he'll be here today sometime.

I'll show him the clip(s).

IF I get an opportunity......

What is first?

The World's Greatest Drill? If it were my son, yes. Because I know I would have the amount of time needed to get from point A to point B.

But, with this kid, The World's Greatest Drill would be a major overhaul....one that would take more time than I'm likely to receive.

I'm thinking Medicus against the Swing-A-Way to wet his whistle. Problem is, medicus is away at college right now. Dang it.

So, I'm thinking one arm lead arm swings showing how the bat connects to the rotation and how it unhinges against a tee set very deep in the zone.

Show him why you "can't go out to the ball".

What say you?

[Jake Patterson]

I added my son Brandon's clip to the above post.

Ohfor which one is Brandon?

[chesspirate]

Ohfor, you're gonna have to peak his interest some how.

If he is being taught something different or has an ego, getting through will be difficult without a good relationship and some eye-opening info.

You need some 'dirt' on him, something you know he struggles with at the plate, whatever, lack of power or inconsistency or whatever but you'll probably need to point out faults that could be fixed rather than just coming up to him and saying "you could be better and I can do it" because he probably won't believe you.

Also, since he likes your daugter he'll be coming around a lot so you shouldn't have to rush, just make sure she doesn't scare him away to soon. ;)

[Ohfor]

I'm hoping the video will show him his dirt.

It may not.

I expect about 15 minutes to either make it or break it. Either I can wet his whistle or not.

I'll let him decide.

But, I am going to send him the video by email and ask him to have his dad look at it.

I know nothing about his dad except he coached his team last fall.

[Ohfor]

Ohfor which one is Brandon?

Where have you been man?

Do you have me on the "ignore list". You're probably not the first.:D

Brandon is the lefty.....turned righty in the side by side.

[Ohfor]

Tom,

Please stay out of this thread.

The last thing the kid needs is confusion with no filter.

[tom.guerry]

Oaffie-

Canned remarks #1, #2,#3.

You know the drill.

[Jake Patterson]

Where have you been man?

Do you have me on the "ignore list". You're probably not the first.:D

Brandon is the lefty.....turned righty in the side by side.

No Ohfor you're not on my ignore list. I monitor your hitting discussions quite closely. I greatly appreciate your (as well as other's) knowledge and enthusiasm.

I use clips of some of the postings to help train my players. Your son would be on the A list. He's got a great swing. How old is he?

[Ohfor]

He's 19 but be careful about using him as a model.

[Ohfor]

Oaffie-

Canned remarks #1, #2,#3.

You know the drill.

Gotcha.

That's funny.:D

And, thanks.

[swingbuster]

I don't see lead arm pull. I see it bend so top hand can push.

Mark it on the wall...I totally agree with this statement

[MSandman]

Thank you Sandman. You are most generous with your time.

Please don't barf. I mean it.:)

And, I'm not trying to suck up to the posse by being nice either.:D

You're welcome Ohfor (intentionally spelled correctly, for a change ;)). Can you do me a favor please? Can you post the clip to your own web space so I can take it off mine? When you do, PM me w/ the new link, and I'll edit my post w/ it (so it stays in the same context as it is now). Thanks.

I have to help get ready for my daughter's (14th) birthday party tonight. I'll try to do the side-by-side of Lee tomorrow, and it would be helpful to reclaim the web space (I'm running a bit low til I clean up a bit).

[Ohfor]

It's Done.

Thanks.

[LClifton]

Most excellent video Mr. Sandman.
Great dialog here...JMO...

LClifton

[Jevan]

Interesting.

I see what you're saying. I see the same move. But, I'd swear he does that with his lead elbow so his top hand can push to the ball. He's throwing a punch in this swing. A rear arm punch. IMHO.

I don't see lead arm pull. I see it bend so top hand can push.

Either way, lead arm is pathetic. But, I must say both pitches were inside. One extremely inside.

For what it's worth, I see it as you do.

[Ifubuildit]

Lets face it your in trouble. The boy is chasing the daughter and you just need an excuse to get him away from her. Do you actually think hitting lessons with meaning are going to do that?

So what if he is pushing his top hand? Use this point and he will look at you like you dont exist. Actually to a teen chasing a girl you dont exist. This is what happens when the DD grows up and is pretty.

Its unfortunate, and I really hate to admit it, but I have this same problem at home. The daughter is being chased by a baseball player from another school.

Good luck with all that. I feel your pain.

Elliott.

[Ursa Major]

Actually, his swing reminds me a little of Sarge's daughter's swing. Better not let them meet and reinforce any flaws they may have.

The bottom half seems way more advanced at this stage than the top half, so I'd work on the top half first. As for the comments about the top half:

1. Preload and wrist cock should be emphasized. The second clip looks better than the first, so we'd need to see more clips to know it it's a real problem.

2. Unquestionably the rear arm/top hand fubars the swing - elbow comes forward, hands drop and then go almost linearly toward the ball. The question is: how do you attack it?

I'd quiet the hands some to start. As Fungo says, his launch position ultimately isn't bad, but the movement introduces some other inefficiencies and discourages pre-load. He's not good enough to have that much movement.

Ohfor, the key issue here is rear elbow/bat drag and disconnecting toward the ball. Of course, with both pitches inside, it's a reasonable reaction if he worries about getting around in time. I wouldn't give up on Englishbey drills even if you don't have much time. Those and a few bottom hand and medicus drills should "feel" good enough to him to whet his appetite. Posture may be an issue depending on how well he handles lower pitches.

It sounds from your comments to Tom that you expect that he will be reading this thread directly, so it's probably not a good idea for us to make comments about his relationship with your daughter, as tempting as it may be to joke about it. Ultimately, if he's playing that much and that well as a sophomore, he should be serious about his game. If so and if he'll sit down and understand what you've done with someone like Brandon, he'll realize what you can do for him. Not to dump on Brandon, but Brandon's five inches shorter and doesn't seem to have had the physical advantages that this young man has (except perhaps more raw strength).

[swingbuster]

Ohfor, the key issue here is rear elbow/bat drag and disconnecting toward the ball


Some good comments in this post. It might be helpful to reassign the
" disconnect" to " never remotely connected" as in how can you disconnect if you never connected.

His bottom hand front shoulder are not in the swing ever.

I agree to start pre-load upper body but he might think he is gaining timing from his dynamic load.

I would try several things the above being one and the other turn the knob inside and to the catcher on the load and see with a few swings especially since his lower half is decent.

Hips and hands need to be his neg moves first. He gets no hip coil now. He has half the hip turn now

[MSandman]

Do you think comparing Josh to Brandon would have the same effect as comparing Josh to a mlb player?

Anyone want to make a side by side with Derek Lee.

I see "similarities" in body build (ok, height) and swing (the stride and timing of it).

I don't ask for too much do I?

An interesting observation....

When you play the side by side frame by frame, this kid really has some quickness. He starts one frame sooner than Brandon (1/2 a frame, maybe?) and travels way "out front" to hit the ball. Brandon lets the ball get to him. Josh goes and gets it. Yet, there is barely a time difference.

Brandon's bat travels the width of his body in that time. From his rear shoulder, to his front knee. Josh's bat travels the width plus 1-2 feet. He goes from his rear shoulder to 1-2 in front of him.

Maybe that says more about Brandon than anything else.

But, if this kid would learn to hit the ball deeper in the zone, he could really be something.

http://members.cox.net/dsanda/JoshDLeeSyncContact-numbered frames.gif

Good points, Swingbuster.

Joof suggested that I number the frames for reference. I've done it before, but usually don't because I can't find an automatic way to do it. So I just did it manually and it only took another 5 mins. or so. I know the numbers fly by in the browser, but in QuickTime, it does help. Thanks joof.

[swingbuster]

Mike,

In Lee's swing, his left knee crosses diagonallytoward his back pocket pretty much like a pitching move.

THis really cocks his hips as he strides. He creates so much hip turn that they actually leave the hands behind as they prime the torso.

This is another choice for the batter to get separation and power....a highly aggressive hip coil and uncoil and a quiet upper body with bottom hand connection.

Could he hit is as far quieting the lower body and being more dynamic in the upper body. Who knows...not his style but in theory he could.

At any rate...you can clearly see with the boy in green what happens when you do not

1. coil your hips as you stride to hit

2. connect the bottom hand to the rotation

About 20 years ago I was hitting golf balls on the range and a State Champ Handicapped golfer was watching. He has an artificial limb and had to really study the game.

I was stinking it up and nothing was helping.

He said " your blocking out with you back hip. Your back hip is freezing and not allowing you to turn into your back side. Your locking the back leg and it is pushing your upper body turn outside the target line and your swing as a result is outside / in and there is no power there and no matter what you do you will not correct it unless your hips coil instead of slide or freeze.. He said " turn your hips in a barrel and that turn will set you hands inside. You don't have to consciencely pull your hands inside, your hip turn does that. "

WOW...this info has been around a long time guys.

#5's hands start out over the plate on an outside / in path because of no hip turn/ shoulder move. Hiding the hands is an absolute but it speaks to the issue of hip coil and shoulder action

You cannot hit the ball deeper in the zone on an outside/ in hand path..WHY?

[Ohfor]

Thanks again Sandman.

Regarding the hip coil demonstrated by Derek Lee....

Don't overlook how his rear leg resists that coil. Coiling in a barrel is fine if you don't let the rear leg turn in that barrel.

[MSandman]

YW, Ohfor. And good luck w/ your new quest.

[tom.guerry]

No kid comments,only commentson the golf cue "turn in a barrell" as mentioned by Buster and applied to hitting -

This cue applied moreso to the classic golf hips and hands swing (although Hogan used it).It fits this type golf swing which is the most like hitting becasue an emphasized hip turn back and forth is combined with emphasis on (2 plane) arm loading. These 2 things do what buster says - load hands inside and make the slicing outside in ("casting" in hitting terms) plane less likely. Furthermore, hip to shoulder SEPARATION ("X-factor") is MINIMIZED.The important thing is getting the dynamic separation ("x-factor stretch" on the downswing) which in hitting allows adjustability and quickness without lengthening the swing with too much separation.This is a "hips and hands" swing. This was necessary for timing precision and clubhead control in the classic wooden shaft/Bobby Jones era. These same principles carry over to hitting where timing, quickness and sweetspot control must be optimized.

In the modern nonwooden shaft swing, the added distance more than makes up for any loss of timing/clubhead accuracy as long as the player has a good idea which side his misses will go to. So the modern golf swing is all about MAXIMUM hip to shoulder separation.Hip turn back is limited to force more stretch from hip to shoulder.Arm load is minimized becasue it has little distance to add. Two problems with this modern swing are that 1- it is VERY stressful on the back and 2- overall swing timing/sequence/rhythm is inconsistent because of the limited arm load and the more violent nature of the shorter swing where the club does not pass parallel at the top.

The other way the modern players preferentially create hip to shoulder stretch is to start the back swing with the shoulders, not the hips which creates a wider back swing and less hip turn back. This WIDE BACKSWING is the main feature that makes the modern swing NOT like "turning in a barrell".

The DANGER in following the "turn in a barrell" cue too closely in golf is that you must not interpret it in a way that eliminates the FORWARD WEIGHT SHIFT (positive move in hitting terms) which MUST precede the forward hip turn in BOTH the classic and more modern golf swings.


Learnings that transfer to hitting from the classic golf swing include:

1- let hip turn lead the inward turn/backward turn/negative move, NOT arm or shoulder turn.This will give good coil,create a good plane and not overseparate the body early

2-positive move/forward weight shift must precede hips turning forward.

Well explained in BOBBY JONES ON GOLF.

If you look at Zig's motionanalysis info you see hips back 25 degrees, shoulders back to 40, a SMALL separation of only about 15 degrees.

THEN, this increases to a maximum separation of 27 degrees due to an additional 12 degrees of "xfactor stretch"/dynamic separation creating "cusp"/setting up reversal.

As Shawn pointed out in another thread (and just as Dixon says to distinguish spin vs whip by hand position relative to torso) the hands stay back when there is good separation as with Lee - see frame #10, for example.

[swingbuster]

Don't overlook how his rear leg resists that coil. Coiling in a barrel is fine if you don't let the rear leg turn in that barrel

Is this the same thing( don't let the rear leg turn) as not letting the weight leak out to the little toe side of the foot?

[Ohfor]

I would say they are similar/related, but different.

You can turn the leg and not get to the little toe side.

Same thing a pitcher has to avoid with his rear knee.

[swingbuster]

I think I see it. THe rear leg is more stable ( knee inside foot) and the hips is turning against it. The leg is capturing the coil the hips are turning into??

[tom.guerry]

more golf crossover application-

The absolute/universal/essential is that the back leg get fully internally rotated in the back hip socket.(in hitting, pigeon toeing the back leg as with the Dback's Lugo mechanically encourages/forces this internal rotation for example). Then, later the back leg can more passively assist in hips turning open while the back leg is more actively involved in "hinging' (flexion/extension type motion at the knee while handcok and rubberband winding are progressing) until it releases and actively/primarily internally rotates again to support forward hip turn to max momentum in the "drop and tilt".

In golf, BOBBY JONES turned the hips WAY back,almost 90 degrees, so weight got to the outside of the back heel necessarily/on purpose.

The hitter, on the other hand adopts the back arm loading sequence of the overhand throw (different from golf backswing) which encourges an early hip cok (that is maintained) and prevents the dreaded "excessive counter-rotation".

Keeping weight on the inside of the back foot is another way to discourage excessive counterrotation or sway, but this is not an absolute. More motion such as turning hips further back,swaying back laterally and getting weight to outside of back foot are all "style" issues in hitting (as opposed to absolutes), but a style that may be more error prone/less consistent translating to less repeatability.

[GoDeep]

It appears that if the young man in the green would keep his lead elbow up in the momentum plane his upper body mechanics would fall into place.

[fungo22]

Interesting.

I see what you're saying. I see the same move. But, I'd swear he does that with his lead elbow so his top hand can push to the ball. He's throwing a punch in this swing. A rear arm punch. IMHO.

I don't see lead arm pull. I see it bend so top hand can push.

Either way, lead arm is pathetic. But, I must say both pitches were inside. One extremely inside.

Could be. It also could be nothing except his effort to get his hands out in front quick enough to get his barrel on the inside pitch. He does it in both swings, but, as you say, both pitches are inside. I'd like to see a swing on a pitch more toward the middle of the strike zone.

Got any?

[Ohfor]

I was at my daughters track meet. I had about 20 minutes before her next event. I ran up to the ball field to see if he was batting. He was leading off the inning. I got his swing, barely; he swung at the first pitch. They batted around. I got his second swing....first pitch again.

I've never seen him play before or since.

But, what I think is interesting is, if he had more time, if he had a frame or two removed from his swing, he wouldn't have swung at either of these pitches. But, he made a swing decision early (has to to get the swing done) and it cost him. Both times.

I intend to get a swing on a better hit ball. Don't know when though.

[fungo22]

I think a better pitch would be telling. He doesn't have the typical hand/arm swing in my experience. He lands with his front foot fairly closed. No serious bat drag. Notice that he is "connected" even after the direction of the knob is changed. Why does he pull his hands from behind his shoulders to a more forward position? It may simply be an instinctive move to shorten his swing radius for the inside pitch. Notice how he is pulling his rear elbow into his side at the same time.

Is he pushing his back hand in a classic top hand dominated swing? I don't see it. I think he his doing what he needs to do to get his hands in and out in front.

A better pitch would be telling.

If he is still prematurely unloading his scap and pushing his hands foward then you can serve up some Drill #1. Otherwise, I think the best thing you can do for him is help him to load and unload more efficiently. And form a better sense of swing plane with his posture. My opinion from what I can see.

[Mark H]

Actually, his swing reminds me a little of Sarge's daughter's swing. Better not let them meet and reinforce any flaws they may have.

).

Don't see it. Such as?

[Mark H]

Mike,

In Lee's swing, his left knee crosses diagonallytoward his back pocket pretty much like a pitching move.

?

Yes, the kid could use a pelvic load unload but that's an easy teach. Teaching him to connect the bottom hand to the rotation is going to be a lot tougher.

[swingbuster]

Yes, the kid could use a pelvic load unload but that's an easy teach. Teaching him to connect the bottom hand to the rotation is going to be a lot tougher.

21 days to break a habit...he is running out of time. Use a bandaid/ mechanism now.

Fungo....as for pitch selection...my bet is that is never swings at away pitches. Most in that set up don't

[Mark H]

21 days to break a habit...he is running out of time. Use a bandaid/ mechanism now.

Fungo....as for pitch selection...my bet is that is never swings at away pitches. Most in that set up don't

I'd be perfectly happy if your BHUT move fixed this kid. You never know. OTOH, I think that would reduce my daughter's 12U team to a quivering bowl of slop.

[swingbuster]

OTOH, I think that would reduce my daughter's 12U team to a quivering bowl of slop.

Might not if you just set/ slot the barrel higher, the bat lighter, the lead elbow down and got the rear elbow up and back around the corner. That is enough to connect the bottom hand sometimes. I can be a matter of adjusting the box for some

[MOMO]

Ohfor,

I have been lurking for awhile and a newbie, compared to alot of you on this site, at teaching these mechanics.

Please, I would like to know what the worlds greatest drill is, and Exactly how, the one arm lead swing drill is done in order to be condusive with the mechanics supported by this forum.

[Ohfor]

The World's Greatest Drill is proprietary information belonging to Steve E.

I suggest you ask him.

As far as the lead arm one arm swing is concerned......go to the field, with bat, ball and tee, swing with your lead arm only and experiment with how far you can hit the ball.

Try this. Try that. I think you'll find your answer. I know you'll find your answer.

[MOMO]

Thank you for the info, how do i get in contact with Steve E? I've read about him. Does he have a DVD.

[ssarge]

Thank you for the info, how do i get in contact with Steve E? I've read about him. Does he have a DVD.
His website, complete w/ on-line ordering, member discussion forums (members, but NOT fee-based), etc. will be open soon. Really soon.

In the meantime, yes, he does have DVDs. And they can be obtained from Steve directly. eMail him at setpro25@yahoo.com or steve@englishbeyhitting.com.

Steve is also available for private instruction and clinics. Uniquely, HE comes to YOU.

Regards,

Scott

[LClifton]

As far as the lead arm one arm swing is concerned......go to the field, with bat, ball and tee, swing with your lead arm only and experiment with how far you can hit the ball.


I hit a ball 300' yesterday off the tee with one arm....Yup. Did it.
No video, no evidence, just did it. You'll have to take my word for it.


LClifton

[LClifton]

Oh, by the way it took me 14 swings.....:o

[fpdad]

Oh, by the way it took me 14 swings.....:o
End to end?:D

[fungo22]

End to end?:D Yeah, end to end, which would be an average of a little over 21 feet per shot. But it wasn't really that bad. He swung and missed on five of them.

[LClifton]

Yeah, end to end, which would be an average of a little over 21 feet per shot. But it wasn't really that bad. He swung and missed on five of them.
I'll have you know I got "ALL" of the last 3. :p