How to drive your hip?

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Jan 6, 2009
6,591
113
Chehalis, Wa
In many cases there is hip restriction in swings. The hips are part of using your body, but I'm reluctant to use the word drive.
 

obbay

Banned
Aug 21, 2008
2,199
0
Boston, MA
If you are "all arms", take a look at the "hand pivot point" thread on this page.
I don't know what your coach is talking about when he talks about hip drive (he might not know either), but you do need to drive your lower body when yo swing, the same way you should be doing when you throw. This is more pronounced in a throw from the outfield.

Good luck!
 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
My coach says I'm all arms when I hit, I understand what driving my hip is.. I just need a little help doing it. Any advice?
Without knowing what your definition of hips is, I can only assume that your not getting your front foot down and stable at the point the hands are getting fully loaded back. It's at this point that the front leg is pushing the front hip BACK into its socket and forcing the back hip to rotate around the front hip like a pivot or axis.
Based on your screen name your most likley a HS freshman or sophomore....
You must realize that as a female your body's main muscle mass is in your lower half. (This is why women typically have larger legs, hips and butts, while men have larger shoulders, chests, and backs.) As a female it's especially imperative that you use your lower half to initiate the rotation. This is because you don't have the same amount of muscle in your upper half that the typical guy does.
Get us a short video clip of your swing off a tee, from the side. (I recommend you leave your face out of the frame) In order to give you specific information on how to improve your game.
Good luck, James
 

redhotcoach

Out on good behavior
May 8, 2009
4,706
38
lexieulllaunch1_zps6c1ca5b3.gif

Can you see how Lexie Elkins rear leg is turning forward and pulling rear hip forward as her hands are tight to her rear shoulder and the top of the bat is going backwards? She gets separation and stretch between her rear shoulder and upper torso that is resisting going forward and her (some call) "hip drive" that is driving forward. So in simple talk: hands are back, hips driving.

You are, like a majority of young hitters, are probably swinging at the ball with you arms. Your arms are going forward and your hips are staying back.

The finish of Lexie: can you see how the "hip drive" is pulling/launching her hands and bat through the ball? Her strong leg muscles are turning forward and her strong core/back muscles are pulling back so when released the swing is sling shot by the "hip drive" your coach is talking about.
lexiehippulled_zps90b45981.gif

^her hands are coming from behind the rear hip.


We do some pre set drills to help kids feel what it is like.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
lexieulllaunch1_zps6c1ca5b3.gif

Can you see how Lexie Elkins rear leg is turning forward and pulling rear hip forward as her hands are tight to her rear shoulder and the top of the bat is going backwards? She gets separation and stretch between her rear shoulder and upper torso that is resisting going forward and her (some call) "hip drive" that is driving forward. So in simple talk: hands are back, hips driving.

You are, like a majority of young hitters, are probably swinging at the ball with you arms. Your arms are going forward and your hips are staying back.

The finish of Lexie: can you see how the "hip drive" is pulling/launching her hands and bat through the ball? Her strong leg muscles are turning forward and her strong core/back muscles are pulling back so when released the swing is sling shot by the "hip drive" your coach is talking about.
lexiehippulled_zps90b45981.gif

^her hands are coming from behind the rear hip.


We do some pre set drills to help kids feel what it is like.

Excellent post RHC! If I could hit "thanks" more than once, I would.
 
Sep 17, 2009
1,637
83
lexieulllaunch1_zps6c1ca5b3.gif

We do some pre set drills to help kids feel what it is like.

Very nice and hopefully this young hitter is helped by this.

RHC, maybe you can help her get into the pre-set position and drill you describe. Would love for you to do part 2 of your post on that topic :)
 

redhotcoach

Out on good behavior
May 8, 2009
4,706
38
Only have a second...but real quick, the basis of the drills are like RDB said they do. Do some tee, side toss, and front toss with lower half turn forward and hands/shoulder area back. Feel stretch in the rear hip. Turn the barrel back from there and feel the rear hip sling shot the swing.
I just googled Lexie and front this photo. Wish it was full body, but you can see how her rear leg and lower is turning toward the pitcher and her hands are back. Get in a preset spot matching her photo (an open front leg stance helps) get stretched back around and fire.
lexie-elkins-630x387.jpg
 

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