15yo DD - Starting down the road...

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May 24, 2013
12,461
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So Cal
My 15yo DD (5'-3", 100-ish lbs) has returned to softball after more than a year of being away from it, and has joined her HS Varsity team. Her previous softball experience was filled with rec ball coaches who taught her how to "swing level" and "squish the bug". As we can see in her swing, these cues play out in a big way along with classic bat drag, out-front bat speed, poor coiling, and poor sequencing. Her swing needs to be re-built from the ground up, including proper use of her lower body and understanding of how to use her hands to turn the barrel.

Here's our starting point...


We have a lot of work to do, but she's a hard worker and tends to listen to me pretty well (much better than her 9yo sister - lol).

(If someone feels inclined to GIF the clip, I have no issue with it.)
 
Last edited:
Jun 18, 2010
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Becca1_zps7288c413.gif
 

rdbass

It wasn't me.
Jun 5, 2010
9,131
83
Not here.
Eric,
Working backwards. Your DD finishes nice.
Becca1_zps7288c413.gif

Yes your DD 'level swings' but, I don't see 'bug squishing'. Your DD's rear foot slips. Just need to firm up that rear leg/foot.
Your DD's in good hands with a dad who has as much knowledge as you. The great posters on the site will have her crushing the ball.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Eric,
Working backwards. Your DD finishes nice.
Yes your DD 'level swings' but, I don't see 'bug squishing'. Your DD's rear foot slips. Just need to firm up that rear leg/foot.
Your DD's in good hands with a dad who has as much knowledge as you. The great posters on the site will have her crushing the ball.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, RDB. I agree on her finish - one less thing to work on. Actually, her hands don't get too far disconnected with the rotation of her torso, she just drops them and drags the bat through.

I see the little slip, but the rear foot spins on the ball of the foot with her heel ending up behind where the outside edge of the foot started. Just because the heel is off the ground doesn't mean it's not a bug-squish. I think we can get this particular issue fixed pretty quickly.
 
Jan 25, 2011
2,282
38
I see 3 things, 1. Her upper body starts her swing, not by much, the hips lead, you know that. 2. Her elbow is ahead of her hands, a little bat drag. 3. I see her head dropping, it looks like she would of been able to get a good hit on that pitch, but her eye level changed and she missed the pitch. Just IMO
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
I see 3 things, 1. Her upper body starts her swing, not by much, the hips lead, you know that. 2. Her elbow is ahead of her hands, a little bat drag. 3. I see her head dropping, it looks like she would of been able to get a good hit on that pitch, but her eye level changed and she missed the pitch. Just IMO

Thanks, nano. You're on target with all of it.

BTW - This AB resulted in a K (foul, looking at one down the middle, unable to hold up on an outside pitch). We have mental approach work to do, also.
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
One thing I always look for is the angle of the bat at set-up. The knob of the bat never get pointed to the catcher during either the setup or the load. Right from the start she is losing power because she is in an inferior position. Even if you fix everything else she will not generate as much power as should is capable of from that setup. Just my .02.
 

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