View Full Version : 14 yo swing advice
Hi Chunky
02-28-2009, 07:07 PM
Any advice you can give is appreciated.
I think the pitch was up and in.
Thanks
http://s327.photobucket.com/albums/k447/hichunky/?action=view¤t=MOV00061.flv
StraightGrain11
02-28-2009, 07:59 PM
Any advice you can give is appreciated.
I think the pitch was up and in.
Thanks
http://s327.photobucket.com/albums/k447/hichunky/?action=view¤t=MOV00061.flv
I know this may not be what you want to hear, but: just keep doing what you're doing. You have good, sound mechanics. No need to mess with them.
For anyone that may have an "issue" with your stride/footplant, all I see is a good hitter making a good adjustment to drive the ball. How do I know it's an "adjustment" and not an "issue"? Because you're not off balance, you're not lunging, you're not "out in front" - you're centered and in control of your body. And this tells me that you are a good HITTER and not just a "pretty SWINGER".
CoachW
02-28-2009, 08:03 PM
I would need a slow motion camera to really see what you are doing in your swing. It looks like you dropped a bomb though!! Nice poke.
CoachW
TG Coach
02-28-2009, 08:12 PM
Nice swing. The pitch was up and in. Was the hit up and out?
Hi Chunky
02-28-2009, 08:34 PM
Wow that was fast! Sorry should have clarified a little.
The video is my son. He's in 8th grade and always looking for advise but I'm afraid he knows WAY more than I do. We went to see some of his friends in a HS game today and I'm concerned he'll really struggle just to keep up in High School baseball because of his size. To me everything looks OK but I wouldn't know how to tell.
If you see anything that I can pass along to him I'd really appreciate it.
BTW, it was not a home run but he did tell me that it went to the fence in the gap.
CoachW
02-28-2009, 08:40 PM
If you can't a slow motion of him I can give you more of a critique.
CoachW
Slow mo Gif... http://www.picturepuzzlestudio.com/bball/swing12_320.gif
DukeK
03-01-2009, 10:58 AM
He's got kind of an unorthodox way of getting to the point where his hips start to rotate, I don't know how that will affect him at the higher levels. I'm no expert but I don't like the way his hips slide forward toward the pitcher for quite a ways before his hips start to rotate. There just seems to be too much going on before his actual swing starts. Once the swing does start he looks pretty good.
CoachW
03-01-2009, 11:10 AM
I would agree with DukeK that his hips do come forward and then he rotates, but the problem with what he is doing is more his hands are moving forward before his hip rotation starts, therefore he is getting near the stretch he could, it is more a timing issue. His hips should start to rotate and turn before his hands come forward so his hands can stay behind his hips and then "fire" at the last second with the top hand swivel. Get that starightened out.
CoachW
CoachW
03-01-2009, 11:12 AM
Another thing I noticed is the way he picks up and puts down his front or lead leg. It looks awkward, just lift slowly and point the front knee towards the 3rd base dugout and put down your leg right when you are starting your swing, it looks like you are opening the front hip because of the way the front foot is lifting and landing. Slow and soft lead foot. Think that.
CoachW
Swing Coach
03-01-2009, 11:26 AM
Your son has a very nice swing...but the critics are right. He has too much movement forward once the front heel plants. That throws off the proper sequence a little. But the biggest problem it causes, I believe, is that it causes "late" head movement forward. In high level swings, when the front foot plants, there is NO more linear movement forward...of any kind. If I were his coach, I would have him understand how he has to put the brakes on after his heel plants. Heel plant - rotate!
SC
Encinitas
03-01-2009, 11:55 AM
Whatever advice you get, I highly recommend you do absolutely nothing with his hand-path/barrel path. Very few kids posted here already "have it" and this kid does.
Wow that was fast! Sorry should have clarified a little.
The video is my son. He's in 8th grade and asking for my help but I'm afraid he knows WAY more than I do. We went to see some of his friends in a HS game today and I'm concerned he'll really struggle just to keep up in High School baseball because of his size. To me everything looks OK but I wouldn't know how to tell.
If you see anything that I can pass along to him I'd really appreciate it.
BTW, it was not a home run but he did tell me that it went to the fence in the gap.
Don't know where he will go to HS, but I am a HS coach and unless he can't field and throw, your kid should have no problems in HS.
I have seen a lot worst swings playing at the HS level.
As far as size. I'm sure people are tired of hearing this but my son is 16, sophmore, 5'4", 145lbs and he has no problem playing at the HS level.
Nice swing
Whatever advice you get, I highly recommend you do absolutely nothing with his hand-path/barrel path. Very few kids posted here already "have it" and this kid does.
Agree with ENC. do not touch his hands, please.
The only thing I would even consider would be to get him to stay with the back hip longer.
But honestly right now let him swing it and leave him alone. Unless this swing wasn't what he normally does. If this was a 1 in a 1000 swing. I'd keep showing him the video of this swing over and over and tell him to do it again.
beemax
03-01-2009, 02:01 PM
First and foremost, this is a great clip. From the looks of it he adjusted very well to a pitch and smoked it.
For those who comment on the hip slide, IMO it is tough to define that as a flaw because he seems to have been fooled a little in the clip, hence the adjustment. I think he did a great job of continuing his momentum while conserving his power.
Thirdly, his barrel action is very good. Some of the actions in the lower body may look a little awkward, but I wouldn't change anything that would compromise the barrel action. That is what enabled him to smoke this pitch.
Just tell him to keep swinging and I feel pretty confident in saying that I'm not the only person here who would love to see more clips of this kid. Nice work.
BGriff34
03-01-2009, 02:20 PM
Looks pretty good. Hands especially. Keeps them high and is short to the ball.
As mentioned, he's got a little drift forward that could be corrected. Could of been fooled by the pitch or something. But he does have a bit of a long stride which is something many lefties can get a way with as long as they have great hands. Few things are as pretty as a lefty who keeps his hands back on an off-speed pitch thats out over the plate and shoots it between short and third.
dominik
03-01-2009, 02:46 PM
Slow mo Gif... http://www.picturepuzzlestudio.com/bball/swing12_320.gif
Did he learn from HI?(because he does that bat tipping)
StraightGrain11
03-01-2009, 03:45 PM
First and foremost, this is a great clip. From the looks of it he adjusted very well to a pitch and smoked it.
For those who comment on the hip slide, IMO it is tough to define that as a flaw because he seems to have been fooled a little in the clip, hence the adjustment. I think he did a great job of continuing his momentum while conserving his power.
Thirdly, his barrel action is very good. Some of the actions in the lower body may look a little awkward, but I wouldn't change anything that would compromise the barrel action. That is what enabled him to smoke this pitch.
Just tell him to keep swinging and I feel pretty confident in saying that I'm not the only person here who would love to see more clips of this kid. Nice work.
Thank you beemax. You see what I see (I think)... The "hip slide" is his ADJUSTMENT to keep his hips closed as long as possible. What you all are requesting is a "picture perfect swing" in which no adjustment is being made.
Kid, if you have a clip of that, give it to them. But that's not baseball; baseball is a game of adjustments. I also know this: "It's not what you DO, it's what you get DONE." And what got DONE was a roped ball.
As I said before, keep doing what you're doing.
Mikjary
03-01-2009, 03:48 PM
Nice aggressive swing! I see 2 things worth looking at. He seems to be dropping (flattening) his bat behind his head for a frame or so causing him to take a little longer path to the ball. The second thing is that his hips don't really fire first and get in front of his hands or upper body. Looks like he turns 'em all together. Kid's got some fast hands to make this swing work.
Hi Chunky
03-01-2009, 04:28 PM
for all your input (and also to alpo for slowing the original down). It sounds like he's doing OK. Here's another clip from the other side. Maybe this will give a better look?
http://s327.photobucket.com/albums/k447/hichunky/?action=view¤t=PIKO101908.flv
CoachW
03-01-2009, 05:07 PM
Don't change a thing. Where did he learn how to swing the bat like that??? Oh and also, if you want to be sure he makes the HS team move to Kansas and I wil be sure it happens:)
CoachW
for all your input (and also to alpo for slowing the original down). It sounds like he's doing OK. Here's another clip from the other side. Maybe this will give a better look?
http://s327.photobucket.com/albums/k447/hichunky/?action=view¤t=PIKO101908.flv
This kid has a nice swing. How old is he 14?
Mark H
03-01-2009, 07:53 PM
Don't really like the hips but if he's hitting I'd leave it alone. As noted, we'd have to see multiple swings to find out what's an adjustment and what's standard for him. Try to make the lower body more MLB standard right now and it's liable to mess with the timing of everything else. If he's succeeding, let him hit this spring and then decide what you do and don't want to work on after that.
Don't really like the hips but if he's hitting I'd leave it alone. As noted, we'd have to see multiple swings to find out what's an adjustment and what's standard for him. Try to make the lower body more MLB standard right now and it's liable to mess with the timing of everything else. If he's succeeding, let him hit this spring and then decide what you do and don't want to work on after that.
The lowerbody in the one swing appears to be adjusting for, either off speed or just a timing issue.
He is delaying the "go". While mantaining his load in the rear hip.
Mark H
03-01-2009, 08:26 PM
Maybe.
.
StraightGrain11
03-01-2009, 11:32 PM
Maybe this will help...
I think this is the frame/point in his swing we are all having an "issue" with:
http://www.baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=63864&stc=1&d=1235975170
And I feel these are the frames in which he resolves the "issue" :
http://www.baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=63865&stc=1&d=1235975188 http://www.baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=63866&stc=1&d=1235975200 http://www.baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=63867&stc=1&d=1235975215
new2thesport
03-01-2009, 11:43 PM
for all your input (and also to alpo for slowing the original down). It sounds like he's doing OK. Here's another clip from the other side. Maybe this will give a better look?
http://s327.photobucket.com/albums/k447/hichunky/?action=view¤t=PIKO101908.flv
What kind of camera do you have? When I viewed your clips, it was really sharp and clear.
Maybe this will help...
I think this is the frame/point in his swing we are all having an "issue" with:
http://www.baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=63864&stc=1&d=1235975170
And I feel these are the frames in which he resolves the "issue" :
http://www.baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=63865&stc=1&d=1235975188 http://www.baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=63866&stc=1&d=1235975200 http://www.baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=63867&stc=1&d=1235975215
So if it is "resolved" then is it really an issue?
In the clip where you say there is the "issue". Where are his hands? where is his upperbody? Where is the barrel?
He is delaying his swing because of an off speed pitch or another timing issue. IMO he does it quite well. He never loses his load.
StraightGrain11
03-02-2009, 12:02 AM
So if it is "resolved" then is it really an issue?
In the clip where you say there is the "issue". Where are his hands? where is his upperbody? Where is the barrel?
He is delaying his swing because of an off speed pitch or another timing issue. IMO he does it quite well. He never loses his load.
I agree:nod: I don't have an issue with what he's doing. But I also have no problem seeing all sides of an argument - and I feel this is something OTHERS may have an issue with. If you read my previous posts, I think you will find me a strong advocate of him not changing anything. Although I see your point, I did say "we", didn't I? My bad.
Hi Chunky
03-02-2009, 10:53 AM
Maybe this will help...
I think this is the frame/point in his swing we are all having an "issue" with:
Please correct me if I'm not getting this right. This is my understanding of the comments -
-He is moving/sliding forward too much before he swings.
-When the front heel touches the ground (plants?) there should be no more forward movement and THAT'S the point where the hips should rotate?
-BUT don't do anything if it's going to mess him up
I couldn't tell when when his heel came down from the 1st clip (front view) so I posted the 2nd (back view). He said that the pitch in the 2nd clip was up and away (does that have significant bearing on the swing?)
This kid has a nice swing. How old is he 14?
Thanks for the great compliment. Yes, he's 14.
What kind of camera do you have? When I viewed your clips, it was really sharp and clear.
It's a Sony cybershot
Really what I was looking for was if there was anything obvious I could pass along to him. Thanks to all for your help.
Hi Chunky
03-02-2009, 11:02 AM
Don't change a thing. Where did he learn how to swing the bat like that??? Oh and also, if you want to be sure he makes the HS team move to Kansas and I wil be sure it happens:)
CoachW
Thanks for the kind words. There's no way our thin west coast blood could handle your mid-west winters;)
StraightGrain11
03-02-2009, 12:53 PM
Please correct me if I'm not getting this right. This is my understanding of the comments -
-He is moving/sliding forward too much before he swings.
-When the front heel touches the ground (plants?) there should be no more forward movement and THAT'S the point where the hips should rotate?
-BUT don't do anything if it's going to mess him up
I couldn't tell when when his heel came down from the 1st clip (front view) so I posted the 2nd (back view). He said that the pitch in the 2nd clip was up and away (does that have significant bearing on the swing?)
Really what I was looking for was if there was anything obvious I could pass along to him. Thanks to all for your help.
I'll agree with most of that. I don't think he's "moving forward too much" - if he were, his hips would be outside of/past his front foot, and they're not. Do they move a lot? Yes. More than usual? Yes. But too much? No. Which why I say it's not worth fixing. It's only worth fixing if it's a problem. What's a problem? Something that hinders him from doing something to be more productive. Is this locking down his hips and limiting his ability to rotate them and derive power? No. Is it causing him to be off balance and swinging without control? No. Is it allowing him to do what he needs to do to drive the ball to the best of his ability? Yes.
Basically: it works for him.
HI Chunky,
Nice Swing! Keep this video for a reference in case he looses it someday.
Don't break whats working.
Mark H
03-02-2009, 01:22 PM
I'll agree with most of that. I don't think he's "moving forward too much" - if he were, his hips would be outside of/past his front foot, and they're not. Do they move a lot? Yes. More than usual? Yes. But too much? No. Which why I say it's not worth fixing. It's only worth fixing if it's a problem. What's a problem? Something that hinders him from doing something to be more productive. Is this locking down his hips and limiting his ability to rotate them and derive power? No. Is it causing him to be off balance and swinging without control? No. Is it allowing him to do what he needs to do to drive the ball to the best of his ability? Yes. Basically: it works for him.
He does his toe touch then does his shift rather than shifting into toe touch. You see this kind of non-standard movement a lot in fastpitch softball. It's a complex swing. This is why I wouldn't risk changing something unless he starts struggling against good pitching, relative to the other good hitters on the team, while still smoking mediocre pitching. At heel plant, he gets quick and serious. If he's hitting, let'im hit.