Critique No Stride Swing

[Kupuna]

My grandson tried a no stride swing but decided to go back to striding. I taught the swing looked ok but he felt that his timing was off and did not feel quite right. Here is a clip of his swing I took with a camera so it is not very clear. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0wBTN8Rky0
What should he work on improving.

[Jake Patterson]

My grandson tried a no stride swing but decided to go back to striding. I taught the swing looked ok but he felt that his timing was off and did not feel quite right. Here is a clip of his swing I took with a camera so it is not very clear. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0wBTN8Rky0
What should he work on improving.
I don't think the no stride will be an issue. Go to Pics, CLips and sites and bring up the best and you grandson side by side and watch for the differences.

[jamesh23]

ouch, I tried to click on it and it froze my computer and gave me a script run error and said if it continues to run I may get a virus or something like that wow.

[Kupuna]

I use a IMAC and maybe that is the problem. I do ocassionally get script errors when using firefox to view this as well as other sites. I went to the local library and used one of their PC and was able to view the video.

[Mark H]

I don't think stride or no stride is a concern right now. Being blunt for the kid's sake and risking the chance of offending you, I see bigger problems. I agree with Jake. Here's where you can start. http://imageevent.com/siggy/hitting/analysis;jsessionid=8fllcp2i01.lion_s

[Kupuna]

Mark, what should I look for. He has been working on getting his legs and hips more into the swing. His JV coach (former major leager) has told him he spins on his heal when he gets tired. I think his stance is probably too wide. He does not squish the bug at contact but his swing plane is probably too level. Have not pushed changing swing plane to hit more fly balls since his game is built on speed and he does hit a lot of line drives. His strong point is that he can almost always get the bat on the ball, even when he is badly fooled. Struck out less than 10 times in about 200 jv, legion and travel at bats. Some coaches say he tries to swing too hard while others say it's ok since he rarely strikes out.

[Mark H]

Swing plane is set by posture. Edmonds vs Pujols for example. How about you post that link over on Englishbey's site. We'll get someone to change it into something we can view frame by frame and we'll go from there. Or maybe someone on here will volunteer to do the video magic.

[Jake Patterson]

Mark, what should I look for. He has been working on getting his legs and hips more into the swing. His JV coach (former major leager) has told him he spins on his heal when he gets tired. I think his stance is probably too wide. He does not squish the bug at contact but his swing plane is probably too level. Have not pushed changing swing plane to hit more fly balls since his game is built on speed and he does hit a lot of line drives. His strong point is that he can almost always get the bat on the ball, even when he is badly fooled. Struck out less than 10 times in about 200 jv, legion and travel at bats. Some coaches say he tries to swing too hard while others say it's ok since he rarely strikes out.
Kupuna,
No one teaches "squish the bug" anymore. Weight is transferred forward after rotation. I agree with Mark. I would start with posture and getting him to stay connected through the initial phase of rotation. From there you can fine tune. Again, I would go to Clips, Pics and Sites and look at Pujols, Manny, or Ortiz and see how they rotate and compare that to what Mini-Kupuna is doing.
Englishbey's site has a bunch of free clips as does Siggy.

[BoardMember]

Kupuna,
No one teaches "squish the bug" anymore.

Tell that to my daughters high school coach.....:eek:

All I can say is "here we friggin go AGAIN!" :dance :choke: :rofl::rofl:

Thank god it's her Senior Year!

[LClifton]

Originally Posted by Jake Patterson
Kupuna,
No one teaches "squish the bug" anymore.
Tell that to my daughters high school coach.....

All I can say is "here we friggin go AGAIN!"

Thank god it's her Senior Year!
Wait, hold on, everyone knows you don't squish the bug.
You squAsh it.
Big difference.
Please get the terminology right, it's important. :laugh;)

[BoardMember]

Oh ya and she want my kid to keep her head over her "back foot". :rofl:

Wait, hold on, everyone knows you don't squish the bug.
You squAsh it.
Big difference.
Please get the terminology right, it's important. :laugh;)

[Jake Patterson]

Wait, hold on, everyone knows you don't squish the bug.
You squAsh it.
Big difference.
Please get the terminology right, it's important. :laugh;)Don't you play squash and squish the bug? Another thought. Does a forearm on the court require a squash squish? LOL

[Chris O'Leary]

Kupuna,
No one teaches "squish the bug" anymore.

Unfortunately, many people still teach squish/squash the bug.

Just Google around a bit.

[Go Cardinals]

Unfortunately, many people still teach squish/squash the bug.

Just Google around a bit.

Chris, I googled around and here is what I got:

In this first one, look at the credentials... ll coaches say too... :rofl:
http://www.theinternethittingcoach.com/linear-hitting.html
Linear Hitting

7 secret steps to great contact hitting

(Don't miss out on how you can get FREE linear hitting lessons on the bottom of this page.)
Linear hitting is a hitting style that has been used for many years in fast pitch softball and by many little league coaches, some high school, college, and even minor league baseball coaches who still prefer this method of hitting instruction. Slo-pitch softball players who go more for singles will gain a better understanding of how to hit following the steps on this page.

It is used to achieve solid contact hitting, producing strong line drives, and sharply hit ground balls which are designed to shoot through the drawn-in infielders on the hard dirt surfaces of softball (and astroturf surfaces in baseball). It is especially useful in slap hitting (fast runners who hit it on the ground and beat it out to first base).

Baseball players who use this style, do so especially when they use the ultra light aluminum bats and as I mentioned above if they play on astroturf surfaces. Players like Tony Gwynn, Suzuki Ichiro, Rod Carew and others are identified more closely with this linear hitting style than with the rotational style.

If this is the swing that matches your goals, then master these 7 steps and you are on your way to achieving your goal of being a hitter that can go as far as your dreams, desires, and hard work can take you.

JUMP INTO THE BOX

The stance is similar to when you land from a jump - knees bent - feet slightly wider than your shoulders - on balance - bend slightly forward from the waist.
DOOR KNOCKING KNUCKLES

The best grip to use will line up the knuckles we would use to knock on a door. This allows for a freer and quicker swing.
BIG TOE

This reminds us of the soft step that starts the swing with weight landing on the big toe. It’s no more than 6” and keeps the weight back while this step is taken. It also reminds us to keep the front foot closed.
SQUISH THE BUG

When we hit, we need to use not just our arms, but get the big muscles in our hips and torso working, as well. This is a hard twisting on the ball of our back foot.
KARATE CHOP / KARATE PUNCH

We need to take the barrel of our bat right to the ball, like in karate. The lower hand would be a snap from the elbow straight out, while the top hand would go straight toward the ball so that it meets the ball in the ...
THE RED ZONE

Hit the ball out in front, where our hands and arms are fully extended for maximum impact with the ball contacting the sweet spot of the bat. Also known as the hitting zone or success zone.
FOLLOW THROUGH

This reminds us that once we’ve hit the ball to bring the bat through the zone quickly. You’re still in your straight balanced position, but your hands go right from contact to your shoulder or back.
PRINT THIS PAGE and post it where you can see it often and practice these 7 steps over and over until you've mastered them. Then you just might hear someone in the stands yelling "That's a great hitter".

[Jake Patterson]

This sounds more like a laundry list of what not to do than what to do.

[LClifton]

My grandson tried a no stride swing but decided to go back to striding. I taught the swing looked ok but he felt that his timing was off and did not feel quite right. Here is a clip of his swing I took with a camera so it is not very clear. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0wBTN8Rky0
What should he work on improving.
Kupuna,
First I apologize for injecting humor into this thread when you are looking for advice.
The suggestion of looking at video is, of course, a good one.

Let's look at the things your grandson does well,
1. He does cock the hips (this "inward turn" is good)
2. He has intent to hit the ball hard
3. He can rotate reasonably well

Now, "tie-ing things together" where he is more effecient is where the challenge lies.

To relate to where you are I have a new student, 12 yrs old. I forgot how "loose"(not necessarily a bad thing.) and "army" their swings can be.

Others here are more qualified than myself to offer advice, but the starting point, Imo, with your grandson, is to figure out a plan to delay the "arms".
Most everything we do has our arms "reaching out"...however this same natural reaching out can be detrimental in the swing.
Many things in the swing fall into place when the "arms' action" is correct, such as better;
1. Contact point (deeper)
2. More consistent contact with the sweet spot (more barrel accuracy)
3. When the ball is hit deeper the swing is (usually) executed quicker.
4. More power
5. "Mechanics" improve

So, what do the arms (shoulders, hips, legs) look like on a "fat" pitch---at contact? (see photo below)
How do you get there?
1. Reps
2. A reasonable understanding of swing mechanics
Jim Booth would say hips, hands, head (bat head)
Others would say hang onto the bat and "turn".
Others would have you move the hands to create the correct path / sequencing.
In your quest to help him,,, find someone that works with kids and that can give you examples of kids they work with.
3. Emulation / study of video
4. Trial and error

As you can see it is hard to put into one post, words, that describe the entire swing.

BUT, The question remains, "Where do I start?"
I would make this suggestion,
With the bat on or barely off his shoulder-- have him learn to rotate into the ball.
Don't restrict his "want" to move his hands (back).
Do encourage him to delay, (not rush), the hands / arms-- FORWARD.
Some success I've had with "too much arms" is to first slow things down.
(I use front toss, lots of front toss, in the early stages)
No machine to try and "time" (yet they are still hitting a moving ball), no live arm where there are then "two pressures"...one to hit well and one to try and "move more correctly."
Slowing things down,,,They then can feel the sequencing better. IMO.

Your grandson has all the elements, orchestration of the elements will be a process and I applaud you for being involved.

Once I figure out how to convert video from you tube,
I will do a side by side comparison,
unless someone has already done this for you.

In the meantime here is a picture of Manny at contact; (a good goal)
To get to this point, one must look upstream and figure out the steps to get there. A worthwhile goal, IMO.

If you are inclined--- with some work on your part --you and he--- will be your own best instructors. Enjoy it.

36636

[Kupuna]

LClifton,
Thanks for the advice. Will work on the areas you mentioned.

[LAball]

Heres my 2 cents worth, or maybe even worthless.
It appears like he is not coming from the inside of the ball, maybe even from the outside a bit, giving a bit of a loopy swing.

I do like the hip rotation with the no stide technique, I see some kids lack a lot of hip rotation with a stride, or sometimes not have the rotation by using there forward momentum.

[MSandman]

Kupuna,
Once I figure out how to convert video from you tube,
I will do a side by side comparison,
unless someone has already done this for you.

Loren,

I found this site recently for doing this: http://www.catchvideo.net.

[LClifton]

Loren,

I found this site recently for doing this: http://www.catchvideo.net.
Mike,
You are THE man.! Thanks.