Squishing The Bug

[Chris O'Leary]

I wanted y'all's opinion on squishing the bug.

I think there are two problems with squishing the bug...

1. It's not what the best hitters in the world do.
2. In my experience it's an unnecessary interim step.

This year I had a number of my 8YO hitters go straight to a decent lower body movement without having to go through the squishing the bug phase.

However, I get a lot of e-mails from people telling me that younger kids can't go straight to the MLB pattern and that they have to be taught to squish the bug first.

What do you think? What is your experience?


P.S. Below is one such e-mail I recently received...

I think you are over analyzing this too much. I also for example when you use Albert Pujols' as an example for things.

It doesn't make sense, here.

YOU TALK about how bad it is to "Squish the bug" WELL it's not BAD, that is only a teaching technique. It's a phrase hitting guys use, what really is being taught is the foot must rise up to let the HIPS ROTATE. You go on and on about all these hitters foot being on their TOE......well that is WEIGHT SHIFT forward bringing their tow up and off the ground...this happens all the time in a squish the bug technique. I have video of may kids even doing this. And they have only been taught to "squish the bug", this is mearly a weight transfer forward lifting their back foot.

I can also tell you that these hitters were taught as young kids to "Squish the bug" that doesn't mean when you grow up and get better that it becomes "squish the bug (ie hips rotate) then as a weight shift occurs forward the tow ends up later up or off the ground...BIG DEAL.

Anyhow this is only one thing but their are others but I don't have the time..... I see what you are trying to say but actually it doesn't make sense, you use MLB players well guess what they didn't swing like that when they were learning they learned the basic good swing mechanics. As time goes on they incorporate other items but you first must master just the basics.

I do agee w/ you that the proper swing must be taught at a young age.

Anyhow just my 2 cents.

I also again think it's very difficult to use MLB examples for early development in mechanics.

I also totally disagree w/ your whole Idea that Jack Maloof doesn't know what he's talking about. Same example as above, w/ the squish the bug thing.......I have the book Jack is just saying to rotate the hips the "squish the bug" is an easy way to relate to players. The stills of him ARE perfect and so what, he's showing the HIPS rotated w/ his heel up.....big deal that's how it starts. Then you do it for 20 years Pujols and get strong you use more weight transfer and end up more on your toe or "even off the ground" for a split second. Its' the same thing. I'm sorry but to try and discredit Jack is CRAZY. (no offense) Jack is teaching the basic proper swing mechanics in fixed environment.

And looking to MLB players for the basic mechanics is not a good way to go. They HAVE for the most part already mastered the basics, then have taken steps in their development that are different. But first they learned the basic fundamental skill, which is the point I tried to make w/ the "squish the bug thing" but you can apply this to many things you have drawn the same type of conclusions on.

[rkbenn]

Chris,

My players including my son would not rotate the hips at all, I'd rather them squish the bug than have nothing at all. After about 2 weeks we transitioned to rolling on the toe and it was easy for them. These were Little League AA kids...9 y/o on average. IMO I feel it's an easier transition. A couple kids already did it and I didn't change anything.

RK

[PhilliesPhan22]

How about LPR?? Load, Push (wth back foot), Rotate. I think that could help keep it simple.

In high school I was tought to take a short stride, rotate my back foot, and throw the knob toward the ball. I guess this was the teaching in the early 90s.

[azmatsfan]

I've worked a lot with younger batters (ages 5 - 10) and I don't teach squishing the bug. Once they have a good stance and grip, the first thing I tell beginning hitters is to point their belly button at the pitcher. I use the bat behind the back drill to reinforce this. Then I look at the back foot to determine if they're rotating enough. I tell them that they should rotate their hips hard enough that they're back foot rotates on it's toe. I agree that "squishing the bug" is a result of good hip rotation, not the cause. And young kids can certainly learn to rotate their hips without learning to squish the bug first.

[azmatsfan]

How about LPR?? Load, Push (wth back foot), Rotate. I think that could help keep it simple.

.

It depends on the age. At real young ages (5-8) I don't worry as much about loading until they're used to rotating their hips. I don't even have my t-ballers/coach pitch kids stride at first. Once they're used to the hips leading the swing I'll throw in the loading/striding/weight shift.

[caseyd123]

i had been taught to stride while keeping my weight back and to squish the bug every pitch so i didn't lunge. oh ya, and 'hands to the ball, downswing'

i had been doing this since this year...when i got Yeager's DVDs. Kinda wish I knew this stuff when I was 12 wondering why all the Phoenix kids mashed and i hit grounders lol

[PhilliesPhan22]

It depends on the age. At real young ages (5-8) I don't worry as much about loading until they're used to rotating their hips. I don't even have my t-ballers/coach pitch kids stride at first. Once they're used to the hips leading the swing I'll throw in the loading/striding/weight shift.

I agree. With kids that young as long has they have the basic idea, leave it alone. When they start to inquire about more advanced techniques, then teach them more.

[CoachHenry]

Like many others here I have and continue to deal with kids very young, some of them having their first year in the game. I base what I use on the players ability to understand, and of course MY abilities to GET THEM to understand. Based on that I have use "Squish the bug" or "Show the pitcher your belly button" and use various drills (bat or broom handle behing the back) to ingrain into their heads. However AS SOON AS I CAN I move away from squish the bug and also point the belly button. In other words I use whatever I can to get that player to do what I want them to do, even if it is not technically correct. If I can get a 6 year old player to apporoximate the movement using squish the bug because nothing else makes sense to them, then that is what I will do.

[Swing Coach]

It is more complicated.

I agree, many younger players do not rotate...and squishing the bug is way better than not rotating.

I have worked with many college players who squish also. One, I mistakenly showed video of him doing this (without being able to work with him). A few weeks later, he had tried to fix it on his own and his swing looked terrible. He was lunging and his rotation had almost disappeared. We had to do a lot of work to get back where we were, and even more to move on. I have some drills that help...but it is difficult.

The difficult part of this problem is the actual "teach" to go from squishing to good weight shift. I would love to hear from people who are actually teaching kids out of a squish to a good weight shift. What are the cues? What is someone doing that squishes, and what is the player doing who does not squish and gets the good weight shift?

Thanks!

[baseballislife2008]

would the walk up tee drill work to help hitters that squish get up on the back toe?? I know that I squish and when I do this drill my back foot drags forward more and it may even come off the ground a little.

[Sherpa]

As a new 6YO coach, this is very helpful. Once I get the kids pointing their belly button to the pitcher, what's the next move for the swing, and the next? I realize it won't be taught in one day, but in simple terms for young kids, what are the 5 or 6 steps I should be working on, including drills to help them achieve a good swing. 1) Step 2) point belly button towards pitcher 3) ____ 4 _____, etc.

Thanks

[rkbenn]

It is more complicated.

I agree, many younger players do not rotate...and squishing the bug is way better than not rotating.

I have worked with many college players who squish also. One, I mistakenly showed video of him doing this (without being able to work with him). A few weeks later, he had tried to fix it on his own and his swing looked terrible. He was lunging and his rotation had almost disappeared. We had to do a lot of work to get back where we were, and even more to move on. I have some drills that help...but it is difficult.

The difficult part of this problem is the actual "teach" to go from squishing to good weight shift. I would love to hear from people who are actually teaching kids out of a squish to a good weight shift. What are the cues? What is someone doing that squishes, and what is the player doing who does not squish and gets the good weight shift?

Thanks!

Two things that helped the tranition from squishing the bug to proper weight shift for the kids I coached was the drill where you stride as a right handed batter, then swing, as you lift your right leg like you were kneeing someone just right of your left foot (forgot what drill this is called). The hip drill is another great one. The most important one I found was having the kid see a proper swing from a MLB player...these 3 things helped the squishing of the bug for my players. I'm sure there are other methods.

[baseballislife2008]

Two things that helped the tranition from squishing the bug to proper weight shift for the kids I coached was the drill where you stride as a right handed batter, then swing, as you lift your right leg like you were kneeing someone just right of your left foot (forgot what drill this is called). The hip drill is another great one. The most important one I found was having the kid see a proper swing from a MLB player...these 3 things helped the squishing of the bug for my players. I'm sure there are other methods.

I heard the Rockies use that drill where you make it like your kneein someone in the nuts.

Is the hip drill you talking about the jim booth hip iso drill?? I know he didnt make it up but he demonstrated it where you have the bat on the FRONT of the hip bone instead of behind your back.

RKBENN: Do you have any video of this drill being performed. I want to see it so I can try it. I want to make sure that I do it right you know.

[Maxx]

It is more complicated.

I agree, many younger players do not rotate...and squishing the bug is way better than not rotating.

I have worked with many college players who squish also. One, I mistakenly showed video of him doing this (without being able to work with him). A few weeks later, he had tried to fix it on his own and his swing looked terrible. He was lunging and his rotation had almost disappeared. We had to do a lot of work to get back where we were, and even more to move on. I have some drills that help...but it is difficult.


Coach what are some drills you use?

Rkbenn, i'd like to see video of this drill as well.....

[Swing Coach]

I've only used the walk-up drill for this specific flaw. We have to be careful with any artificial drills to "get the back foot up" and stick with a good positive move toward the pitcher and then rotate (explode) into that blocked front leg. Older kids today have been coached into a "stay back" and "no stride" and "squish the bug" approach that robs them of a lot of their natural athleticism and power. The walk-up drill gets them understanding that positive move....but few want to work hard enough to transfer this move into their game swings.

Board Member has said to "squeeze the butt cheeks together."

I have noticed that kids who have improper swing planes...and hit in a small zone.....meaning swinging the barrel down at the ball can almost never get weight shift.

[baseballislife2008]

pretty interesting. I just tryed doing that cue from boardmember. squeeze butt cheeks together. I felt like my back foot moved a little when simulating a swing.

I want to know more about what this is supposed to do mechanically.

[rkbenn]

I heard the Rockies use that drill where you make it like your kneein someone in the nuts.

Is the hip drill you talking about the jim booth hip iso drill?? I know he didnt make it up but he demonstrated it where you have the bat on the FRONT of the hip bone instead of behind your back.

RKBENN: Do you have any video of this drill being performed. I want to see it so I can try it. I want to make sure that I do it right you know.

you are right on both accounts...and I want to give credit to Jbooth. Sorry I don't. There is a video that jbooth made...pm him. As far as the other drill...take a normal stance, go through your swing and when you tranfer your weight then swing you swing your right knee up towards the picture. This was helpful to get my son and other players to rotate hips and not spin on that back heel.

[baseballislife2008]

very interesting. I am thinking about blending drills together. I'm not sure if it's ok to do or not. But let me give you an example. Jim Booth's hip iso drill (again I know it's not his drill). Well I think this does an excellent job of forcing the hitter to properly rotate his/her hips. However it's in a static position. There is no weight shift transfer. We want to mimick the swing as closely as possible in order to really ingrain this into a player's "GAME SWING". Basically I think if you ingrain this hip rotation drill into a hitter's nervous system they might be able to do it statically but when he/she actually loads back and strides they might not be able to perform it because they were "trained" from a static model. How about blending it with the walk up tee drill. So basically you get the feeling of shifting weight to the front side correctly while rotating the hips correctly amongst landing on that firm front leg.

Basically set up in the walk up tee drill except put the bat flat against the front hip bone. Do your cross over step load the hips and stride (shifting weight naturally) onto firm front leg and then fire the bat that is firm against your front hip bone into the ball. You will be forcing yourself to do 2 very good movements. 1.) Very good weight shift and 2.) Very good hip rotation

I think if it is blended like this we could see some pretty good results.

[rkbenn]

Coach what are some drills you use?

Rkbenn, i'd like to see video of this drill as well.....


jbooth has the hip drill video, and as far as the other drill I don't have one. I provided an explaination in the post above. Everything is the same in the swing, just lift the rear knee towards the pitcher at the contact area. This was very helpful for the kids to not have their weight on their back leg, and they curtainly don't squish the bug. This worked very well for me. It is an over exaggeration, and I didn't want to do it too much because I didn't want to screw with their swings by doing this drill.

[rkbenn]

very interesting. I am thinking about blending drills together. I'm not sure if it's ok to do or not. But let me give you an example. Jim Booth's hip iso drill (again I know it's not his drill). Well I think this does an excellent job of forcing the hitter to properly rotate his/her hips. However it's in a static position. There is no weight shift transfer. We want to mimick the swing as closely as possible in order to really ingrain this into a player's "GAME SWING". Basically I think if you ingrain this hip rotation drill into a hitter's nervous system they might be able to do it statically but when he/she actually loads back and strides they might not be able to perform it because they were "trained" from a static model. How about blending it with the walk up tee drill. So basically you get the feeling of shifting weight to the front side correctly while rotating the hips correctly amongst landing on that firm front leg.

Basically set up in the walk up tee drill except put the bat flat against the front hip bone. Do your cross over step load the hips and stride (shifting weight naturally) onto firm front leg and then fire the bat that is firm against your front hip bone into the ball. You will be forcing yourself to do 2 very good movements. 1.) Very good weight shift and 2.) Very good hip rotation

I think if it is blended like this we could see some pretty good results.

I'm trying to recall the exact jbooth drill. What I had the kids do was to get in their normal stance with the bat in front on the hip. I'd have the kids rotate the hips and hit the ball on the tee with the bat. I'd have the kids rotate and push out the hips towards the pitcher. At the same time I'd have them rotate on their toe, even telling them it was okay for their toe to come off the ground at contact. After that I wouldn't care if they fell back on their back foot.

[BoardMember]

pretty interesting. I just tryed doing that cue from boardmember. squeeze butt cheeks together. I felt like my back foot moved a little when simulating a swing.

I want to know more about what this is supposed to do mechanically.

Watch Pujols "Crack the Walnut" into contact in this clip. You can clearly see the glutes contract into contact and then relax during the sequence.

Thank's to Tween for this clip. When he read what I wrote about this subject, it instantly brought this clip to mind and he was kind enough to send it to me.............

http://i36.tinypic.com/zo836t.gif

[MarkL]

The difficult part of this problem is the actual "teach" to go from squishing to good weight shift. I would love to hear from people who are actually teaching kids out of a squish to a good weight shift. What are the cues? What is someone doing that squishes, and what is the player doing who does not squish and gets the good weight shift?


Yeager does it all day long....("teach" to go from squishing to good weight shift.")

[Quiz]

What do you guys think about this video?

http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=O_p7Z0gJfo0

The problem I see with squishing the bug is that you have to put pressure on your back foot. If you really focus on it, you might have too much weight behind.

[patsox]

My 8 yo was in a clinic this spring with a local instructor. The drill they used was to place a base (use a real base, not a flat rubber one) between the legs adjacent to the rear foot as they soft tossed to the hitter. The hitter was supposed to take their swing and place the toe of the back foot on the base. It's an exaggerated movement, but it did promote not squishing which was the point.

[Mariners_swe]

Why can't you learn to hit like the pros when you're young?

[bamajeff]

Why can't you learn to hit like the pros when you're young?



Probably for the same reason there aren't many 8 year old kids who can play the guitar like Eddie Van Halen or the drums like John Henry Bonham.

People who think they can get a kid a few lessons and have him swinging like Barry Bonds are to put it nicely "unrealistic". Building/perfecting a swing takes a lot of time, dedication, hard work. Much like any other high-precision skill.

[azmatsfan]

Probably for the same reason there aren't many 8 year old kids who can play the guitar like Eddie Van Halen or the drums like John Henry Bonham.

People who think they can get a kid a few lessons and have him swinging like Barry Bonds are to put it nicely "unrealistic". Building/perfecting a swing takes a lot of time, dedication, hard work. Much like any other high-precision skill.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/119929/8_year_old_guitar_virtuoso/

Don't underestimate kids. I don't think anyone is expecting an 8-year-old to hit like Bonds, but they are certainly capable of learning the proper swing mechanics. Last season I spent a lot of time trying to break 9/10 year olds of bad hitting habits they've been repeating since they were in t-ball.

[bamajeff]

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/119929/8_year_old_guitar_virtuoso/

Don't underestimate kids. I don't think anyone is expecting an 8-year-old to hit like Bonds, but they are certainly capable of learning the proper swing mechanics. Last season I spent a lot of time trying to break 9/10 year olds of bad hitting habits they've been repeating since they were in t-ball.


I didn't say there weren't ANY, just not many. You can probably find a FEW 8 yr olds that have a picture perfect swing just naturally(a virtuoso, if you will), but the VAST MAJORITY have to work dilligently over time to develop a swing. Just like the majority of kids would have to work long/hard to be able to play anywhere near the clip above.

[rkbenn]

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/119929/8_year_old_guitar_virtuoso/

Don't underestimate kids. I don't think anyone is expecting an 8-year-old to hit like Bonds, but they are certainly capable of learning the proper swing mechanics. Last season I spent a lot of time trying to break 9/10 year olds of bad hitting habits they've been repeating since they were in t-ball.

you're right. i've watched my kids and my son progress so much over the past 2 months. even though my son doesn't exactly swing like bonds he's reaching the fence and being consistent at the plate, where as before he was just getting it out of the infield with a number of k's.