Cue Springsteen - Thoughts on this swing

[Grizzly]

Before my son got interested in baseball, I'd forgotten how much fun it is. Having now turned my professional life around so that I can coach his teams, I'm here every day learning (and I hope on occasion offering simple tips that have worked for me in conveying something to a young player).

With that in mind, here's a clip of what's left of my swing, which was last called upon for duty almost 20 years ago. Most of my 20's and the first half of my 30's were spent beating the little white ball and that may show through. The early 40's are happily being spent teaching 8 and 9 year olds baseball.

Since I now constantly take practice baseball swings in the air (instead of golf), just curious as to people's thoughts. I'm just a dad with no aspirations other than to be a good rec ball coach. Thanks in advance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY3mrKh8ODk

[Rufus67]

Grizzly
Welcome to the forum and the wonder world of rec (i.e., non-travel, elite, etc.) baseball!

I can't comment on the swing itself (I'll leave that for the gurus), but two things I see that influence your swing are:


The tee is set low (i.e., at your knees). While that's good for practicing low-ball swings occasionally I wonder what the swing looks like with the tee higher (mid-thigh to waist).
The tee looks like it's too far in front. From what I've read here it should be inside your stride, not outside, so you're not casting to get to the ball.

[Ursa Major]

Looks better than my swing, and definitely advanced enough for teaching for many years to come. Yes, you can see the golf influences, particularly with the fairly stiff legs and the head position. Also, you never really load your front knee -- that's okay for an athletic grown-up swinging a long, whippy golf club, but kids trying to get a 19 oz. bat around need that that front leg to help start the hips around.

One of the major differences between a golf swing and one in baseball is that you need to make a later decision in baseball as to whether and where to swing. So, you want the kids to start the hips sooner and to be in position to hit from the get-go. So, I'd start yourself (and them) with your legs a little more bent and your tilt set earlier (you get there quite well later in the swing). This allows them to launch and stride on every pitch, while keeping their hands back and wrists cocked until they make the later decisions as to whether to actually go through with the swing.

The best coaching at this level that I've seen is for the kids to be set in an optimal swing plane so that they conceivably could do a no-stride swing just rotating their back shoulder to the ball and still get the ball to the outfield. You've got a lot more stuff (like your late tilt) going on, so that part might not be the best role model for kids. If they can introduce some lower body to the swing (especially the 9 year olds the way your son does), all the better.

So how is the Cub coming along -- still got that head tilt?

[Grizzly]

So how is the Cub coming along -- still got that head tilt?

Yes, the Cub is why I'm here. Since I posted his a couple weeks ago, my time with him hitting has focused on widening his stance and getting some more flex in his knees. But being 9U spring, of course pitching is on his mind. And I've just drafted 9 new Cubs and we're getting them ready for opening day.

We're working on the head tilt but it may take some time. My buddies in the USMC 15 years ago called me the "Tiltmaster" because my head was always to one side. The apple doesn't fall far...

You'll see more of him in a few weeks. Thanks again.