Ok 3 game swings for analysis

[hawkiirock]

He got 3 live swings at practice. These were the only live swings.. Looks like 3 different pitch locations. Seeing if there is anything glaring we should work on. Looked alright in my novice opinion. thanks for all feedback


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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qfq8hHFhGI

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


Is there a better way to save video than you tube? I edited the swings so they are short. But want the best way for more feedback

[HYP]

I don't know how to slow them down from you tube.

First glance. looks like he is not loading. Almost like hold, hold, GO. It also appears that he is turning as a unit, lower and upperbody togatyer. He appears to be pretty quick.

Can I ask, has he been taught to finish that bent over the plate? Looks like on every swing he is forcing his torso over the plate.

Maybe someone can turn them into a gif

[DukeK]

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/lk2500/Swing1.gif

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/lk2500/Swing2.gif

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/lk2500/Swing3.gif

Swing 3 looks like the best of the bunch, his lower body actually start out ok, he has a bit of seperation, and his weight transfer starts out ok. However, as HYP pointed out, he lunges his head and torso out over the plate and throws everything off.

Fix the lunging and posture first, then it looks like you probably have some load sequence and bat drag issues to work on.

[jbooth]

He got 3 live swings at practice. These were the only live swings.. Looks like 3 different pitch locations. Seeing if there is anything glaring we should work on. Looked alright in my novice opinion. thanks for all feedback


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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qfq8hHFhGI

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


Is there a better way to save video than you tube? I edited the swings so they are short. But want the best way for more feedback

What in the world is making him get his back nearly horizontal over the plate, and his head sideways?

The back should have some tilt, but it shouldn't bend like that, and the head should stay up, with eyes nearly level at all times.

[DukeK]

What in the world is making him get his back nearly horizontal over the plate, and his head sideways?



It appears he gets thrown off balance as the bat comes through the zone. Perhaps his bat is too big for him?

hawkiirock - What size/weight bat is he using?

It may also be that he is stepping a bit backwards as he strides instead of straight toward the pitcher, throwing his balance off as well. Note how straight/stiff his lead leg stays as he swings, he's kind of pushing himself toward the plate off that foot.

[Coach G]

Definitely some bat drag issues. Most every kid that age has some.
I have never seen a finish like that
Looks like on all 3 swings he is reaching for the ball, maybe needs to let ball travel a little further.
load sequence?
Judging by the cather 2 out of 3 pitches were out of strike zone (good hitters hit good pitches) thats the best piece of advice I was ever given

[hawkiirock]

I have no idea. How would you suggest stopping this. I was bothered by that but wasn't sure that it mattered since it seemed post contact? It did bug me thoughWhat in the world is making him get his back nearly horizontal over the plate, and his head sideways?

The back should have some tilt, but it shouldn't bend like that, and the head should stay up, with eyes nearly level at all times.

[hawkiirock]

Bat is only 20 ounces. I don't think that is a problem. Thanks for the feedback. I am not sure what I should do to address how far he bends over b/c at contact I thought he looked in pretty good position?

[Coach G]

T work T work T work and looks like the pitches were outside and he was way out in front. If a hitter gets fooled and is out front normally he has to bend similar to that to even get the bat on the ball. Especially if its on the outer edge.

[FiveFrameSwing]

What in the world is making him get his back nearly horizontal over the plate, and his head sideways?

The back should have some tilt, but it shouldn't bend like that, and the head should stay up, with eyes nearly level at all times.


http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/lk2500/Swing3.gif

Good description.

I had a student like this ... and the correction was relatively simple.

This kid looks to be trying to maintain a "top hand palm-up" position way too long. Try this yourself and notice how it requires your body to lean over the plate like this boy does.

Chris Yeager is correct when he speaks of allowing the top hand to pass the bottom hand ... and allowing the natural pronation of the top hand/forearm to take place.

IMO this kid would benefit from understanding the concept that the top hand is throwing the barrel at the pitch. The top hand "pronating" through contact. Coaches afraid of rollover would never teach this, but that is because they don't understand the cause of premature rollover. The cause of premature rollover with the top hand resides in the lead arm/elbow ... not with the top hand.

From launch through extension the top hand should transition from supination (external rotation) to pronation. At contact the top hand/forearm is transitioning from supination to pronation, and is in a palm-up orientation during the transition. This is the natural one-piece swing. It should not be interrupted by a push with an extended palm-up orientation, as this young boy is doing, which is in a sense a suboptimal 2-3 piece swing.

Notice in the clips below how the top-hand/forearm pronates from contact through extension ... allowing the completion of the natural one-piece throwing process.

http://groundup.hittingillustrated.com/hitting/TopHandPastBottomHand/Pudge_tophandpastbothand.gif

http://groundup.hittingillustrated.com/hitting/TopHandPastBottomHand/Rolen_toppastbot.gif

[hawkiirock]

boy I think you mightve nailed it. I tried keeping palm up/palm down longer and it does throw my whole body down. Thanks for the feedback.

[DukeK]

FFS - Nice post!

[FiveFrameSwing]

boy I think you mightve nailed it. I tried keeping palm up/palm down longer and it does throw my whole body down. Thanks for the feedback.

I may receive some flack for this ... but IMO there should be absolutely no emphasis of "maintaining" a palm-up orientation in a proper swing.

Chris Yeager was the first to clue me in on this and it has helped me correct swings that look like this young boy's swing.

[bob_r]

I know he ends up on his back toes suggesting weight transfer, but I'm thinking something doesn't look quite right that He may not have transferred weight - not sure - can anybody see what I'm talking about.

[FiveFrameSwing]

hawkiirock .... an easy drill to show this boy the natural one-piece top-hand/arm throwing action is to perform "one-arm top-hand" swings. Have the boy do this hitting a ball off of a tee. Have the boy take note of how the weight of the barrel (have him choke up on his normal bat) causes his top hand/arm to pronate (rollover) ... and explain to him that this is the natural one-piece throwing motion that he should be using. There should be no forced maintaining of a palm-up orientation.

Next have him perform swings with two hands, using a split grip ... the top hand on the handle approximately 3" above the bottom hand ... and tell the boy to perform the same top-hand one-piece throwing action.

Switch back and forth between the one-arm top-hand swing and the split-grip two-hand swing. He should get the idea pretty quick ... I know my students do.

As for the concern of premature wrist rollover ... that is a different topic ... and the person that taught this boy to swing likely was over emphasizing the 'result' of that issue instead of the 'cause' of that issue ... which actually resides with with the bottom arm/elbow action/path.

[FiveFrameSwing]

I have no idea. How would you suggest stopping this. I was bothered by that but wasn't sure that it mattered since it seemed post contact? It did bug me though

IMO it does matter.

This post action activity indicates that this young boy is slowing down his swing unknowingly. I suspect this activity will eventually lead to him routinely making contact too far out front ... and this will degrade his ability to square the ball ... which is a highly desirable goal when it comes to hitting.

[HYP]

I may receive some flack for this ... but IMO there should be absolutely no emphasis of "maintaining" a palm-up orientation in a proper swing.

Chris Yeager was the first to clue me in on this and it has helped me correct swings that look like this young boy's swing.

When does this guy roll over and how long does he remain palm up?

http://www.hittingillustrated.com/library/Manny25.gif

Could his excessive lean over be because he is trying to rotate his shoulders to hard to gain bat speed? Coupled with the fact that he sees MLB players end up tilted some but he doesn't understand how they get that way?

Also, I may be wrong here but I would wonder if he has been told to take his back shoulder to the ball but not shown how to properly do it.

It looks like he starts turning his shoulders horizontal and as he gets closer to the ball he tries to take his back shoulder to the ball.

I guess I would first have a discussion on how the head needs to be stabilized. The head can not move. Then teach him how to laterally tilt while the rear shoulder is starting directly to the ball. If he stabilizes the head and starts the rear shoulder directly to the ball. He may cure this issue.

IMO palm up extension has nothing to do with it. I can swing hard and have palm up extension and nothing happens to my upperbody.

There may be other things involved that I havn't mentioned, like trying to go out and hit the ball while at the same time trying to stay back. I would start with what I suggested first then move from there.
But if what FFS has suggested cures the problem that would be great.
JMHO

[FiveFrameSwing]

Could his excessive lean over be because he is trying to rotate his shoulders to hard to gain bat speed?


I'm not seeing a lot of shoulder rotation during this excessive body lean.

http://groundup.hittingillustrated.com/hitting/delme/Swing3_01.gif

[jbooth]

When does this guy roll over and how long does he remain palm up?

http://www.hittingillustrated.com/library/Manny25.gif

Could his excessive lean over be because he is trying to rotate his shoulders to hard to gain bat speed? Coupled with the fact that he sees MLB players end up tilted some but he doesn't understand how they get that way?

Also, I may be wrong here but I would wonder if he has been told to take his back shoulder to the ball but not shown how to properly do it.

It looks like he starts turning his shoulders horizontal and as he gets closer to the ball he tries to take his back shoulder to the ball.

I guess I would first have a discussion on how the head needs to be stabilized. The head can not move. Then teach him how to laterally tilt while the rear shoulder is starting directly to the ball. If he stabilizes the head and starts the rear shoulder directly to the ball. He may cure this issue.

IMO palm up extension has nothing to do with it. I can swing hard and have palm up extension and nothing happens to my upperbody.

There may be other things involved that I havn't mentioned, like trying to go out and hit the ball while at the same time trying to stay back. I would start with what I suggested first then move from there.
But if what FFS has suggested cures the problem that would be great.
JMHO

Manny starts to roll over at the same time as almost all MLB hitters. When the end of the bat is pointing at the pitcher. The kid doesn't seem to ever roll over. I don't think the failure to roll is the sole problem, but it could be part of it. The things you mentioned may also be a factor.

[FiveFrameSwing]

Manny starts to roll over at the same time as almost all MLB hitters. When the end of the bat is pointing at the pitcher. The kid doesn't seem to ever roll over. I don't think the failure to roll is the sole problem, but it could be part of it. The things you mentioned may also be a factor.

I agree .... the failure of not pronating is not the sole problem ... but that's where I'd start to correct this boy's issues. Immediately after this we could address the swing occuring so far out in front of his body ... but often when the issue of resisting pronation is corrected I'll notice that the student's lead humerus begins to better 'hug' their upper body and not be thrown so far out front. On occasion a student has to be shown this first. First things first ... let's see what this boy looks like when his goal is to allow natural pronation.

[HYP]

I'm not seeing a lot of shoulder rotation during this excessive body lean.

http://groundup.hittingillustrated.com/hitting/delme/Swing3_01.gif


I agree not during the leaning. But the energy created before drags him into the lean. Try getting in the stance of this hitter and then rotate your shoulders hard and stop them in the same place that this player does. Which way does your body want to get pulled?

[jbooth]

I agree not during the leaning. But the energy created before drags him into the lean. Try getting in the stance of this hitter and then rotate your shoulders hard and stop them in the same place that this player does. Which way does your body want to get pulled?

I don't think he's trying to rotate his shoulders. His hands move the bat before the shoulders move, and his back shoulder never gets to the front.

His shoulders stop half-way through and he lets his hands go. Manny turns far enough to show us his back.

I hope you're not going to say that the shoulders are bypassed, and that they don't rotate, when every video you look at of a MLB hitter shows the back shoulder ending up where the front one was. That's rotation. I don't care what you think or feel in regard to the shoulders, but they do rotate. We can discuss HOW they are made to rotate, but please don't say they don't rotate. The kid's shoulder's don't rotate. Well, they rotate half as far as an MLB hitter's do.

[HYP]

I don't think he's trying to rotate his shoulders. His hands move the bat before the shoulders move, and his back shoulder never gets to the front.

His shoulders stop half-way through and he lets his hands go. Manny turns far enough to show us his back.

I hope you're not going to say that the shoulders are bypassed, and that they don't rotate, when every video you look at of a MLB hitter shows the back shoulder ending up where the front one was. That's rotation. I don't care what you think or feel in regard to the shoulders, but they do rotate. We can discuss HOW they are made to rotate, but please don't say they don't rotate. The kid's shoulder's don't rotate. Well, they rotate half as far as an MLB hitter's do.

Wasn't going there. What I did say was rotate your shoulders with some energy and stop where this kids shoulders stop. See which direction you get pulled?

Shoulder bypassing is for another thread.:D

[HYP]

Jim,

Let me try again. Get in his stance. start the shoulder rotation and then throw the barrel at a ball out front. While trying to keep your head back. What happens?

Your shoulders stop turning, like this players. The body gets pulled into a lean, like this players. This happens whether you roll the wrists or have palm up extension. That is why I do not think palm up extension has anything to do with it.

Like I said before. He is not tilting and whipping the barrel early. He is whipping it late/out front. IMO those ar the biggest reasons but I am sure there are more.

I would start by teaching him how to tilt properly and stay with the rear hip.

[Prouddadof5]

What I see is when he makes his short stride, his foot doesn't open up, and stays planted straight across while swinging. This could be stopping his hips from coming on through. Notice his hips start through, then come to a stop and his weight shifts back to rear leg.

Take a practice swing yourself with your front foot opened up when striding, (about 45 degree angle) and one with your foot not opened up and see if you can feel the difference.


G.G.

[hawkiirock]

He has been told to take the back shoulder towards the ball
We might have a combo of slow pitching in which he was out in front, outside pitch, and who knows what else.


Really appreciate all the feedback so hopefully we can get it corrected b4 the season starts in a month



We took some dry swings last night and the first thing I want to address is keeping his head still. I have some swings of his doing soft toss and he was leaning way forward on that as well.
When does this guy roll over and how long does he remain palm up?

http://www.hittingillustrated.com/library/Manny25.gif

Could his excessive lean over be because he is trying to rotate his shoulders to hard to gain bat speed? Coupled with the fact that he sees MLB players end up tilted some but he doesn't understand how they get that way?

Also, I may be wrong here but I would wonder if he has been told to take his back shoulder to the ball but not shown how to properly do it.

It looks like he starts turning his shoulders horizontal and as he gets closer to the ball he tries to take his back shoulder to the ball.

I guess I would first have a discussion on how the head needs to be stabilized. The head can not move. Then teach him how to laterally tilt while the rear shoulder is starting directly to the ball. If he stabilizes the head and starts the rear shoulder directly to the ball. He may cure this issue.

IMO palm up extension has nothing to do with it. I can swing hard and have palm up extension and nothing happens to my upperbody.

There may be other things involved that I havn't mentioned, like trying to go out and hit the ball while at the same time trying to stay back. I would start with what I suggested first then move from there.
But if what FFS has suggested cures the problem that would be great.
JMHO

[soceric]

He got 3 live swings at practice. These were the only live swings.. Looks like 3 different pitch locations. Seeing if there is anything glaring we should work on. Looked alright in my novice opinion. thanks for all feedback


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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qfq8hHFhGI

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


Is there a better way to save video than you tube? I edited the swings so they are short. But want the best way for more feedback

Hello HawaiiRock,

Your sons poor finish is directly the result of things happening earlier in his swing. The lean over the plate is the bodys attempt to keep from falling over. We humans have a remarkable ability to stay upright and balanced at all costs either statically or dynamically. The lean of his body during his finish is his his body's method of dynamically balancing himself and the natural result of the position he's placed himself in and the direction of the forces he's created. Otherwise he'd just fall over or fly off.

So what is it that causes him to get to the position he's in. What significant forces cause his body and head to naturally counter balance his swing in the follow through.

It's the bat. He's essentially directing his force into the first base dugout. And also, since he's finishing really low with the bat, there is even more of a need for him to remain dynamically balanced horizontally.

What causes him to get to this position? First he starts tall in his swing and his initial move to load is virtually non existent. He strides but doesn't get into a really good position of leverage with his hips. The lack of setting up his hips properly and being late with them is handled by the bucket step. The bucket step is really just a bad and late attempt to set the hips up under the body. Had he not done that to get the hips turned at least some it would be much easier to see the problems.

That problem would be rushed shoulders and losing the barrel of the bat.

His upper body has nearly completely flown out before the barrel of the bat even thinks of getting in the strike zone. There is no way for him to do anything but continue to accelerate the bat into the first base dugout from that action.

Additionally and of importance here, is the subtle forward lunge of the upper body starting the swing. See how the upper body bends forward at the waist, but doesn't straighten out? This is more evidence of poorly setting up the hips, and poor hip action. It's a subtle clue as to the problems, and can be seen on the low pitch. Go to the first gif, and go to frame 17 at the lag position. That forward lean that late at that position and more importantly not explosively straightening and coming out of that position, is a good indicator of bad hip action. My guess is that he may have picked that up by learning that downward chop of the bat, and forcing that downward swing plane to contact just fit naturally with his poor hip action. At this point it doesn't really matter.

If he sets the hips up poorly against the hands and if he can't create torque through the hips, or can't create it at the right time there is really no good option but to rush with the shoulders. And thats what he's doing.

There is a lot more here as to why the follow through is the way it is, but it getting lengthy.

Anyways. Time to pull out the tee. First work on his set up. Don't have him set up as tall. Set him up a little lower because he needs to set up in a position that will allow his hips to work better. Second get him loading the hands as he strides out or transfers his weight out. Look up "stride separation" or "trigger stride" here and get his loading set up right. Third, set the tee up deep in the zone. Set the tee up off of front foot first, and then work deeper from there. Have him emphasize keeping the barrel inside the ball, and extending through it. Fourth, get him into a bit of a rearward lean early from that lag position to unlock his hips while getting him to keep his barrel through the ball while he continues to lean back.

If you do this, what you will see is a higher follow through and the ability to follow through high easier. He'll also get a barrel that accelerates deeper in the strike zone, and doesn't accelerate into the first base dugout. He'll get a swing that allows him to balance himself through his front leg on his follow through because his energy was directed toward and through the ball to start.

Best of luck

[hawkiirock]

a lot of that makes sense expect the part about the force being directed into the first base dugout. Can you please expand on this please


I have told him I thought he needed more of a load and to load the hands back as he steps forward..



So 2 things I will work on immediately is less head movement and more load. I could have him start more crouched as well???

[hawkiirock]

do you have any suggestions to add and help fix it as well? I am open to all suggestions so I can figure out how to get it fixed. He hits the heck out of the ball with this crap going on so if i can get it fixed he should really hammer it. ThanksWhat in the world is making him get his back nearly horizontal over the plate, and his head sideways?

The back should have some tilt, but it shouldn't bend like that, and the head should stay up, with eyes nearly level at all times.

[BoardMember]

do you have any suggestions to add and help fix it as well? I am open to all suggestions so I can figure out how to get it fixed. He hits the heck out of the ball with this crap going on so if i can get it fixed he should really hammer it. Thanks

Hawk, I received your PM.

IMO your sons problem begins with the stride. He steps away from plate (might be afraid of the ball).......This action requires him to disconnect and extend to maintain enough plate coverage for contact........

His posture is following his arms as he attempts to stay behind/through contact which is away from the direction of his stride. As his posture goes sideways, it becomes action/reaction to the unfolding sequence and results in the plane flattening to counter weight the severe dip. If the plane were finish up, he would certainly fall over the plate.

http://i44.tinypic.com/i2kpqf.gif

My guess is that it is now simply habit........

IF he were my kid, this is the approach I would take. In order to repair this type of flaw, I would "short circuit" the things that are causing the flaw.....

1.) Reverse the stride sequence to an action that starts open and steps into square relieving the need to reach and dip to maintain coverage.

2.) Work on finishing above the front shoulder. The will require a more upright posture through contact to stay balanced.

3.) I would throw wiffles and tennis balls inside until his posture is corrected.

4.) Begin to work the ball away with the corrected posture through contact.

Sorry I haven't read the replies to if any of this was already covered. My DD was in a severe roll over accident returning from college for spring break 2 weeks ago.

Somehow a sheep wondered into the fast lane at 9pm at night. She was beside a semi traveling at 70mph (the speed limit) when the car in front of her suddenly swerved to the slow lane ahead of the semi to avoid the sheep. Being next to the semi my DD had no where to go. She plowed the sheep, which we believe deployed the air bag, causing her to lose control and begin rolling at 70mph. She rolled several times and came to rest on the wheels in the center medium.

It was a devistating call from the girl friend she was following home who witnessed the accident in her rearview mirror, calling from the side of the freeway franticly crying and telling me she didn't know if my DD had survived the crash. My heart sunk, and I became overwhelmed with grief........

She was airlifted to a trama center with severe head trama, subdural hematoma, and several bone fractures in her face, collar bone, hands and foot......BUT.......she made it!.........She got a mulligan!........After several days in ICU, she's now home with us, and on the long road to recovery..........

Hug your kids EVERY NIGHT........Whether they have an MLB swing or not.........

Best Regards,

BoardMember........

[Mikjary]

BM,

My best wishes to your daughter, you and your family. Get well soon!

Mike
PS Missed your posts.

[Mark H]

Hard to know what to say. I'm so glad to hear you still have her and she is recovering. I have four of my own and I can't imagine what it would be to lose one.

[ssarge]

Somehow a sheep wondered into the fast lane at 9pm at night. She was beside a semi traveling at 70mph (the speed limit) when the car in front of her suddenly swerved to the slow lane ahead of the semi to avoid the sheep. Being next to the semi my DD had no where to go. She plowed the sheep, which we believe deployed the air bag, causing her to lose control and begin rolling at 70mph. She rolled several times and came to rest on the wheels in the center medium.

It was a devistating call from the girl friend she was following home who witnessed the accident in her rearview mirror, calling from the side of the freeway franticly crying and telling me she didn't know if my DD had survived the crash. My heart sunk, and I became overwhelmed with grief........

She was airlifted to a trama center with severe head trama, subdural hematoma, and several bone fractures in her face, collar bone, hands and foot......BUT.......she made it!.........She got a mulligan!........After several days in ICU, she's now home with us, and on the long road to recovery..........

Hug your kids EVERY NIGHT........Whether they have an MLB swing or not.........

Best Regards,

BoardMember........


John,

I am so sorry to hear this, but so glad to hear that she is on the mend.

She, you, and her family will be in our prayers.


And thank you for the reminder about the hug. . . . .

Absolute best regards,

Scott

[Slapper23]

Hang in there, John. I'm very glad to hear your daughter is recovering. Each day, we tend to take things for granted. Oftentimes we don't realize this and how fragile life really is until something happens. Enjoy each and every day, buddy! And all the best to you and yours, and I wish your daughter a full and speedy recovery.

Mike

[Jake Patterson]

John,
You are yours are in our prayers. I hope all turns out well. Having been in a similar situation there is nothing worse as a parent.
Jake

[hawkiirock]

Hawk, I received your PM.

IMO your sons problem begins with the stride. He steps away from plate (might be afraid of the ball).......This action requires him to disconnect and extend to maintain enough plate coverage for contact........

His posture is following his arms as he attempts to stay behind/through contact which is away from the direction of his stride. As his posture goes sideways, it becomes action/reaction to the unfolding sequence and results in the plane flattening to counter weight the severe dip. If the plane were finish up, he would certainly fall over the plate.

http://i44.tinypic.com/i2kpqf.gif

My guess is that it is now simply habit........

IF he were my kid, this is the approach I would take. In order to repair this type of flaw, I would "short circuit" the things that are causing the flaw.....

1.) Reverse the stride sequence to an action that starts open and steps into square relieving the need to reach and dip to maintain coverage.

2.) Work on finishing above the front shoulder. The will require a more upright posture through contact to stay balanced.

3.) I would throw wiffles and tennis balls inside until his posture is corrected.

4.) Begin to work the ball away with the corrected posture through contact.

Sorry I haven't read the replies to if any of this was already covered. My DD was in a severe roll over accident returning from college for spring break 2 weeks ago.

Somehow a sheep wondered into the fast lane at 9pm at night. She was beside a semi traveling at 70mph (the speed limit) when the car in front of her suddenly swerved to the slow lane ahead of the semi to avoid the sheep. Being next to the semi my DD had no where to go. She plowed the sheep, which we believe deployed the air bag, causing her to lose control and begin rolling at 70mph. She rolled several times and came to rest on the wheels in the center medium.

It was a devistating call from the girl friend she was following home who witnessed the accident in her rearview mirror, calling from the side of the freeway franticly crying and telling me she didn't know if my DD had survived the crash. My heart sunk, and I became overwhelmed with grief........

She was airlifted to a trama center with severe head trama, subdural hematoma, and several bone fractures in her face, collar bone, hands and foot......BUT.......she made it!.........She got a mulligan!........After several days in ICU, she's now home with us, and on the long road to recovery..........

Hug your kids EVERY NIGHT........Whether they have an MLB swing or not.........

Best Regards,

BoardMember........

OMG I am so sorry to hear this. Thankfully she is home with you now. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family BM.




Thanks so much for the feedback. That sure makes sense as well. I am also wondering if him letting go of the bat is effecting the lower follow through. I will start with opening his stance a bit

[DukeK]

BoardMember,

My family's thoughts and prayers are with you and your daughter as well.

Sure puts things like worrying about your kid's baseball swing in perspective. I'll be giving my kids a couple of extra hugs when I get home from work today.

Duke (John)

[TDS]

BM,

Thoughts and prayers for Your Daughter and family.

Tom

[jbooth]

Hawk, I received your PM.

IMO your sons problem begins with the stride. He steps away from plate (might be afraid of the ball).......This action requires him to disconnect and extend to maintain enough plate coverage for contact........

His posture is following his arms as he attempts to stay behind/through contact which is away from the direction of his stride. As his posture goes sideways, it becomes action/reaction to the unfolding sequence and results in the plane flattening to counter weight the severe dip. If the plane were finish up, he would certainly fall over the plate.

http://i44.tinypic.com/i2kpqf.gif

My guess is that it is now simply habit........

IF he were my kid, this is the approach I would take. In order to repair this type of flaw, I would "short circuit" the things that are causing the flaw.....

1.) Reverse the stride sequence to an action that starts open and steps into square relieving the need to reach and dip to maintain coverage.

2.) Work on finishing above the front shoulder. The will require a more upright posture through contact to stay balanced.

3.) I would throw wiffles and tennis balls inside until his posture is corrected.

4.) Begin to work the ball away with the corrected posture through contact.


I think those are good suggestions.

As is evident from many people's responses, the boy has several issues to correct.

Sorry I haven't read the replies to if any of this was already covered. My DD was in a severe roll over accident returning from college for spring break 2 weeks ago.

She was airlifted to a trama center with severe head trama, subdural hematoma, and several bone fractures in her face, collar bone, hands and foot......BUT.......she made it!.........She got a mulligan!........After several days in ICU, she's now home with us, and on the long road to recovery..........


I pray that she will heal quickly and not have any permanent injuries.

If she was wearing a seat belt and the airbag deployed, I'm surprised at the severity and number of injuries she sustained.

When I was 16 I got run off a mountain road at about 50 mph, and the car went airborne out over the mountainside, twisted in the air, landed on its side, rolled onto its top and it slid on its top for about 150 feet down the mountainside through manzanita bushes and came to a stop, upside down in the bushes.

I was wearing a simple seatbelt. Back in 1966 they didn't have airbags or shoulder straps. I unbuckled it and crawled out the window without any injuries whatsoever, not even a bruise or scratch.

I know what it's like to have a child hurt. Both of my daughters were in severe accidents when they were teenagers (separate incidents and one was not automobile related). Thankfully, they both survived and healed back to normal.

[soceric]

a lot of that makes sense expect the part about the force being directed into the first base dugout. Can you please expand on this please


I have told him I thought he needed more of a load and to load the hands back as he steps forward..



So 2 things I will work on immediately is less head movement and more load. I could have him start more crouched as well???

Hold a 50 pound dumbell in your right hand down at your side. What does your body do? It automatically balances you. You either widen your feet, or lean to the left or extend your left hand out to the side, or a combination of all 3. Now move athletically in whatever sport you choose, and your body does basically the same thing dynamically. Swinging a bat develops a lot of force, and the direction of that force is important. Accelerate the bat through the strike zone and stay through the ball, extend through the ball and the direction of that force is generally back through the ball toward the field. The body is in a good position to balance itself.

Think of the position your sons body would generally be in if you were having a tug of war with him. His feet would be inline with the rope, he'd be digging his right foot into the ground, he'd be leaned back with his hips square to you. His hips and glutes would be providing a huge amount of power and leverage. That tug of war position would be somewhat similar to a certain point in time of a swing. No hips and glutes, and the body would fold at the waist. Now, make your son keep that same position. Keep his feet in the same place, and move your end of the rope into the first base dugout. His body has to do something to balance. It will bend just like his swing. The thing is the big muscles of the hips are not really inline with that big sideways force and the feet aren't inline with it either, so the counter balance has to be created by the torso with the severe bend at the waist.

I like the idea of starting open, and stepping in. That will force him to learn to use the hips and not cheat from where he's at now. Also i'd try this. Instead of keeping the head still at this point, start him a little lower and crouched (pete rose style) and get him to raise his head up and back through the swing. The only way to do that is for the big muscles of the hips to straighten the body, and that is the hip action he's looking for. That will give him the feel of the hips, and from there he can move forward.

[hawkiirock]

we did hit some today and he liked the feel of the open stance. Head was still dropping. I will try posting a couple clips tomorrow. getting ready to get on plane for florida. Thanks everybody