Connection Help

[BTHOtu]

I'm having HUGE connection problems right know and don't even know where to begin to fix it. I know of Epstein's fence drill, but are there any other drills for connection. I will try anything.

[rkbenn]

I'm having HUGE connection problems right know and don't even know where to begin to fix it. I know of Epstein's fence drill, but are there any other drills for connection. I will try anything.

if done incorrectly, the fence drill can make it worse. for young players can be very damaging.

[skipper5]

IMO, the best way to teach and reinforce connection is heavy bag training. A heavy bag is the same that the boxers use. I have one that is attached by bungee cords to an upright handtruck. I constructed a plywood box about 12" high that is duct-taped to the base/floor of the hand-truck, supporting the bag at a proper hgt. for a person.

Locate your stride foot even with the front of the heavy bag. Practice connected swings against the heavy bag, but don't let the bat bounce off the bag--hold it in contact with the bag for a moment so that you can get a freeze-frame "picture" of your properly connected swing-at-contact.

This is a low-tech way of getting multiple reps and a freeze-frame picture of your connected (or disconnected) swing at the contact point. You can also practice your "tilt" for various high/low locations. As an instructor (take with a grain of salt), I find the heavy bag essential. It's in the bed of my truck right now, having been used at a clinic for munchkins. I hope it doesn't rain tonight or it might be an even heavier bag.

[Ursa Major]

Need video. There are a number of causes and a zillion potential fixes.

One fix that can maybe get close to the source of the problem is to take your normal stance but, open the thumb and forefinger of your top hand off the bat, but keep them around the bat and use them to pinch a little fabric at the point of your shoulder.

Now, take some swings -- whether dry swings or wiffles or soft-toss -- and keep that cloth pinched until the forces of the swing force you to release it.

Also, make sure that you're continuing the rotation of the shoulders well past the point of contact. Often, the hands disconnect because the shoulders have slowed down and there's no place for them to go but forward. You might also look for premature straightening of the front arm.

[Jake Patterson]

I'm having HUGE connection problems right know and don't even know where to begin to fix it. I know of Epstein's fence drill, but are there any other drills for connection. I will try anything.
I've suggested this before for this issue.... I have had great success with solving this problem by using 1st using Jim Booth's grip stick, 2nd- Tilt and turn drills with a long PVC pipe, and 3rd turning on a tee while maintaining the box untill contact drills.

[AgentX]

if done incorrectly, the fence drill can make it worse. for young players can be very damaging.

How so?

One of the most common big problems I've seen with young swings is in casting. And it tends to compound itself when kids start facing live pitching from their peers. Early extension moves them off the plate to find the sweet spot, and then young fears of being plunked by a pitch keeps them there. Once they start facing pitchers who can locate outside, they are done.

What problems have you seen this create, so I know what to look for?

[Coach C]

Posture change is what I have seen.
Jim Booth's grip stick/j bat was "the" biggest aid in teaching connection with my son.

[halfguard]

Posture change is what I have seen.
Jim Booth's grip stick/j bat was "the" biggest aid in teaching connection with my son.


is ther a pic of these things

[Coach C]

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss342/coach_baseball/booth20gripstick.jpg

I made mine smaller for a younger player. I cant locate the vid Jim made perhaps he can repost. I have used it as he has demonstrated and have used it with the short end inside the lead arm hand and against the lead arm bicep to teach maintaining the box. If he does not keep it against the lead arm it taps him in the jaw. As Jim demonstrates the short piece is agaist the outside of the lead arm.

*Photo credit courtesy of Jim Booth

[rkbenn]

How so?

One of the most common big problems I've seen with young swings is in casting. And it tends to compound itself when kids start facing live pitching from their peers. Early extension moves them off the plate to find the sweet spot, and then young fears of being plunked by a pitch keeps them there. Once they start facing pitchers who can locate outside, they are done.

What problems have you seen this create, so I know what to look for?

I've see kids doing this drill and take the knob of the bat through (righty) to the left shoulder or middle of the chest as they are working through and not staying connected. Also, for some reason it screws up the whip action for some hitters.

[AgentX]

I've see kids doing this drill and take the knob of the bat through (righty) to the left shoulder or middle of the chest as they are working through and not staying connected. Also, for some reason it screws up the whip action for some hitters.

I've noticed that it does seem to encourage some bat drag. But I'd rather deal with that than players who set up way off the plate and then sweep. Like I mentioned, it becomes several problems then. And getting negative feedback from stinging hands is more likely to make them swing light or not swing at all.

When I put a player on the fence, I always show them how the hips make the bat miss the fence. It's mostly as a means of introducing the concept of a short stroke and where to make contact. It usually helps at least for a short time.

[HYP]

I've noticed that it does seem to encourage some bat drag. But I'd rather deal with that than players who set up way off the plate and then sweep. Like I mentioned, it becomes several problems then. And getting negative feedback from stinging hands is more likely to make them swing light or not swing at all.

When I put a player on the fence, I always show them how the hips make the bat miss the fence. It's mostly as a means of introducing the concept of a short stroke and where to make contact. It usually helps at least for a short time.

I like the fence drill but not to be over done. Hips clear, shoulders tilt, triangle rotates, hands will stay inside and you will stay connected. The biggest problem I see with this drill is kids move their hands independent of the rear shoulder, push/pull knob through.

I also, like for connection drill is lower effort swings and then gradually build up effort. If they can go about 50% on effort and not feel the bat drag or be forced through. If they can feel effortless, then gradually apply more effort, with the same feel, if it breaks down, go back to less effort. Front toss with this drill and they will see the ball jump off the bat with less effort, if the swing is connected. They will learn that the swing doesn't have to be muscled. It just has to flow.

[rkbenn]

I've noticed that it does seem to encourage some bat drag. But I'd rather deal with that than players who set up way off the plate and then sweep. Like I mentioned, it becomes several problems then. And getting negative feedback from stinging hands is more likely to make them swing light or not swing at all.

When I put a player on the fence, I always show them how the hips make the bat miss the fence. It's mostly as a means of introducing the concept of a short stroke and where to make contact. It usually helps at least for a short time.

It can be a good drill, but like I said, done INCORRECTLY, can be harmful to young hitters.

[Coach C]

click the link and go to post #11 there are some pic's of Jim and his stick in action.

http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?p=1011460&highlight=gripstick.jpg#post1011460

[Jay924]

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss342/coach_baseball/booth20gripstick.jpg

I made mine smaller for a younger player. I cant locate the vid Jim made perhaps he can repost. I have used it as he has demonstrated and have used it with the short end inside the lead arm hand and against the lead arm bicep to teach maintaining the box. If he does not keep it against the lead arm it taps him in the jaw. As Jim demonstrates the short piece is agaist the outside of the lead arm.[/

Coach C

What dimensions did you use to make it smaller for younger players?

[Coach C]

These are the approx. dimensions for 7/8 yo I used.

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss342/coach_baseball/youth_booth_gripstick.jpg

[Jay924]

These are the approx. dimensions for 7/8 yo I used.

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss342/coach_baseball/youth_booth_gripstick.jpg

Thanks Coach C