Hitting Mechanics Dilemma, Help

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Permalink Reply by Mike Hart on January 30, 2010 at 11:35am

Hi Ralph...One drill that I have used for this issue is to have the hitter stride upward into a slight incline(using the backside of mound for instance)...If done properly, when the stride foot lands to the slight incline of the mound the hands will separate from the stride and the hitter will feel a strong, balanced position...If there is no separation(hands traveling with stride), the stride leg collapses causing an unbalanced approach/feel that the hitter will definitely notice. Also, I have used the tee with success in some hand/stride separation issues(the tee forces the hitter to separate his hands from stride). After extended use of the tee drill..muscle memory should correct the problem....Hope this all makes sense to you!?...Mike Hart

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Permalink Reply by Ralph Dickenson on January 30, 2010 at 8:32pm

Thanks Mike - good to hear from you and I will give these ideas a shot

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Permalink Reply by Dave Kirilloff on January 30, 2010 at 11:21pm

Hello Ralph - Very difficult to gauge when you can't see the subject.. Most people - will give you mechanical answers to solve this issue. But deeper, below the superficial side of examining hitters that most hitting coaches overlook is the hitter's relationship with the pitcher .. And, how the hitter is managing his flow of energy, momentum, tempo, in relationship to the pitcher. #1 - Without seeing him, sounds like the hitter is trying to keep tempo, rhythm, with the pitcher with his feet/legs.. doesn't trust his upper body for rhythm..#2 - Inside the hitter - you describe, I would be almost certain, that he has already, predetermined to hit the ball.. well out in front of his body, before you throw it .. He wants to "get the ball" - before - "the ball gets him".. type of attitude... SOLUTION - #1, establish, the need of tempo with front toe and back knee, #2 - help the hitter manage the impact position with ball, next to his body, not in front - http://www.TheLanguageOfHitting.com

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Permalink Reply by Matt Antonelli on February 8, 2010 at 10:10pm

I would put him on video so he sees what he is doing. He might not even know how far his hands are traveling with his body, or he might not believe you when you tell him. He needs to think of the movement as "walking away from his hands". As he strides his hands need to reach back, or at least not move forward. A lot of young players are afraid to create too much length in the lead arm, but length is a good thing as long as it isn't completely locked. My guess, if none of this works is that he is taking his stride with his upper body getting out in front of his lower body. When he strides he needs to keep his head between his shoulders and in line with the middle of his body and make sure not to lunge with his upper body. If he does this he should be able to perform the correct movement.

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Permalink Reply by Pat Crofoot on February 11, 2010 at 10:19pm

I saw this video recently on You Tube. Jump to 1:20...

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