Building a hitter from scratch

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Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
Not sure if this belongs in Technical or Practical, so my apologies if I put it in the wrong spot.

I've been working with a few girls (12-13 years old) who are new to the sport, and some of them have never even swung a bat before.

On one hand, this can be good because I can teach them how to swing from the ground up. On the other, many of them do so many things wrong that it's difficult for me to know where to start.

Are there any "Do this first" drills for teaching someone how to hit? Any good video series I should check out? What's the very first thing you tell someone who is about to hit for the first time? The second thing?

What I've done so far is I show them the very basics (where/how to stand, how to hold the bat, etc.) and then let them swing away a few times so I can watch and try to identify what needs to be fixed. I'm not sure this is right, but I find it easier (maybe not better) to see what's wrong and then fix it instead of trying to create a swing out of thin air.

tl;dr version: The pitching section has the wonderful Sticky threads on I/R with basic drills for a girl just starting to pitch. I want that type of thing, but with hitting.
 
Oct 30, 2014
292
18
Seattle
tl;dr version: The pitching section has the wonderful Sticky threads on I/R with basic drills for a girl just starting to pitch. I want that type of thing, but with hitting.

There is a lot less agreement on the hitting threads than the pitching ones, sometimes it gets weirdly hostile. That being said bless anyone willing to take a shot at this.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
A lot of people have found this to be a good place to start with a lot of issues, especially with hitters in need of sorting out a decent swing sequence...

 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
There is a lot less agreement on the hitting threads than the pitching ones, sometimes it gets weirdly hostile. That being said bless anyone willing to take a shot at this.

Haha, I figured that was the reason!

I can understand that with high-level hitters, there can be argument over precise mechanical issues. Still, my hope is that there are a few absolutes/basics. Are there any generally agreed upon principles? Any drills for Day One of Learning How to Hit that we can all agree are going to help?

EDIT: Eric, thanks for the video. I had posted this before seeing your response. I'll check it out.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
...chose rotational or lineal for each player based on size, athletic ability.
This ^^^ is not good advice. A high-level swing has both rotational and linear components.

Try to match up one of our model swings...
This ^^^ is good advice. If you can take video of the players (get parent permission first!), comparing the swings with what the best are doing is a valuable tool.
 
Last edited:

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
Thx, but I think it is.... From ground up... I use linear to teach feet, Rotational to teach hands... Not a stone fan :{))

Not sure if he gives good or bad advice, but I feel its not that good :cool: I thanked you for it, because I'm not sure if CoachJD knows the difference... You got a video to get the ball rolling. Video is key.... to me anyhow... JMHO

PC - you've been accused of many things on this forum, but conventional thinking isn't one of them! Great if this approach works for STK, but my mileage varies significantly! Good thing you have the disclaimer in your e-sig! :rolleyes:
 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
Thx, but I think it is.... From ground up... I use linear to teach feet, Rotational to teach hands... Not a stone fan :{))

Not sure if he gives good or bad advice, but I feel its not that good :cool: I thanked you for it, because I'm not sure if CoachJD knows the difference... You got a video to get the ball rolling. Video is key.... to me anyhow... JMHO

Difference between what? Linear/Rotational or a Good/bad instructional video? I don't follow your train of thought here.

I'm all for video, btw, and I have used it a little bit in the past. I intend to incorporate it even more going forward.
 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
I've read a fair amount on linear/rotational, but I don't really know the answer to the question. I guess my answer is: I want them to be able to hit as well as they possibly can. But, also, these are not my daughters and I will not be working with them daily, so I also need them to hit adequately as quickly as possible. I understand those are possibly mutually exclusive goals.

When I see linear/rotational broken down, I tend to agree with Eric when he says elements of both are used in hitting, but I have a hard time watching a live action swing (or even a slow motion version) and really seeing some of what's illustrated. My hope is just that it's because I've never really broken down hitting like this before and it'll take some time.

What do all the best hitters do? Or at least, what do *most* of the best hitters use?
 
Jan 7, 2014
972
0
Western New York
I've been working with a few girls (12-13 years old) who are new to the sport, and some of them have never even swung a bat before.

On one hand, this can be good because I can teach them how to swing from the ground up. On the other, many of them do so many things wrong that it's difficult for me to know where to start.

How about "just let them hit?"

Lots of front toss and tee work with the tee in various spots...lots self toss too...

My take on this is simple: You start throwing drills at these kids now and you could easily coach some athleticism right out of them...

Just let them hit and then see what each of them needs to work on...

Cookie cutters are great for cookies...not so great for young hitters IMO...CP
 

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