Long story short - this thread is a perfect example of why we don't have a hitting thread similar to the I/R sticky. My head hurts from reading this.
Building a hitter from scratch
- Thread starter CoachJD
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- Dec 11, 2010
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I like some of the posts very much and agree the video on the first page is a great drill.
I don't know if this is a "first thing you do" or even a second.....how about the Helicopter Drill. Stand in the batters box, get in hitting position and fling the bat over the pitchers mound. (I usually explain it so they are throwing it slightly opposite field.). The bat spins like a helicopter rotor as it flies over the mound. For some kids it seems like it helps them get the feel pretty quickly of a ground up swing. I have 5-6 junk bats I use just for this. Really like wood bats for this. Gloves are required. In order to throw it well, the form has to be pretty decent. The young kids really seem to like this and even timid kids can be encouraged to throw it as far as they can after a few tries.
I don't know if this is a "first thing you do" or even a second.....how about the Helicopter Drill. Stand in the batters box, get in hitting position and fling the bat over the pitchers mound. (I usually explain it so they are throwing it slightly opposite field.). The bat spins like a helicopter rotor as it flies over the mound. For some kids it seems like it helps them get the feel pretty quickly of a ground up swing. I have 5-6 junk bats I use just for this. Really like wood bats for this. Gloves are required. In order to throw it well, the form has to be pretty decent. The young kids really seem to like this and even timid kids can be encouraged to throw it as far as they can after a few tries.
Cannonball
Ex "Expert"
- Feb 25, 2009
- 4,880
- 113
OK, so one more post and then I'm out. CoachJD, I wanted to put up a couple of swings from a couple of young ladies that might have had a future in the game. If you look at these swings, hopefully you can see some resemblance to what my kid was doing in some of the video I sent you.
Edited since I just realized I have two different player's swings.
Edited since I just realized I have two different player's swings.
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...I wanted to put up a couple of swings from a young lady that might have had a future in the game.
Doubt it... Stance is too wide, hands dip and she swings at everything!
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- Dec 11, 2010
- 4,723
- 113
Doubt it... Stance is too wide, hands dip and she swings at everything!
My God that's beautiful. Who was that?
just a Baseball/football announcer... JM
Unfortunately, I agree... In my opinion, there are several posters in the hitting threads (past and present) that can equal anyone from the pitching threads, but the threads often break down and become difficult to follow unless you really dig deep. I have learned a great deal from several of them, so I am thankful for that.
CoachJD -- I understand your challenge. The other night at our JV/V practice, a new team member stepped in the box. She has never played before in her life. She proceeded to step on home plate and then shift her feet around to insure that no part of her shoes was outside of home plate. We literally needed to start with grip, stance, etc. Another player last year... She showed up for one practice, at which she hit pretty well. Terrible mechanics but great hand/eye coordination. The next day we had a scrimmage. During the JV portion she swung at three consecutive pitches; the first two bounced and the third was easily a foot over her head. At hitting practice the next day, I asked her if she could explain the strike zone. Her response was "huh?". So my point is --- Never make any assumptions...
I was speaking with the varsity head coach last night and suggested a plan to her. At the next group hitting practice, I suggested that her and the other coach work with the experienced players and leave the 4 new players work with me for the duration of the practice. That way I can explain things to a smaller group from "Step 1" without interfering with the rest of the group. Hopefully this will be beneficial to all the players. I wish you the best of luck in your journey!
