Rotation, Weight Shift, but...

[rkbenn]

Hands and adjustments (feel) are key to successful hitting

[songtitle]

This one should get a few comments. For me, the hands are along for the ride. As an experiment, take a swing and just try to hold the bat back - can't do it.

[rkbenn]

There is only so much you can teach.. Hands back, weight shift, swing plane, loading, sep, etc. When it comes down to it you can easily teach this, but if you want to be successful, the hands and feel are the key too any successful hitter.

[HYP]

This one should get a few comments. For me, the hands are along for the ride. As an experiment, take a swing and just try to hold the bat back - can't do it.

Try swinging by just turning hard, without the hands making adjustments. You can do it but it won't be affective.

[NewbieBBDad]

Hands can help bring the bat head around and torque for added punch. I was convinced after looking at Albert Pujols after contact pics and the fact my son needed to focus on his hands to get his bat head around. And I am sure it did add a few feet to his hits too.

Another added thing to look for is back tilt. Low pitch tilt down, high pitch tilt up. Not many people think about this but they do mention how important it is to maintain a 90 degree angle of body to pitch. And in all honesty I don't think MLB batters think about this at all since most adjustments should be small. My son is short but loves to hit high pitches and in order to have a level swing to those pitches he quickly straightens out his back (untilts). No loss of power if done correctly.

[Drill]

Teach proper set up of the hands. Don't disconnect your arms from your shoulders and don't take your hands back past you rear shoulder. Than you can go on to loading etc. timing with lower and upper body.


IMHO,

drill

[rkbenn]

if the hands are not making proper adjustment IMO you are not going to be a successful hitter, especially with the off speed stuff, including the breaking balls.