12U DD hitting with the new Mizuno F19 PowerCarbon

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Jun 8, 2016
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So, Why do we often say to Parent, Coach etc. That has a young player that they need to turn the barrel etc.? I'm not arguing that turning the barrel is not correct etc. by the way, but at the younger ages do you think that learning "Short to" builds a better foundation first to then build upon and add turn the barrel etc.?

I believe the short to FFS is referring to isn't the same as just pushing the hands to the ball but more of a "short hands" approach such as this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzaX7bSqya4

At the end of the day, most MLB'ers probably got to the point where they are through tons of reps and they were good enough athletes such
that they were able to best utilize the feedback from these reps. There are also some who made it with pretty lousy swings, perhaps due to lousy
instruction, but were such phenomenal athletes that they could get away with it..until they couldn't e.g. at the major league level. JD Martinez is
a prime example of this.
 
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rdbass

It wasn't me.
Jun 5, 2010
9,131
83
Not here.
I'm not arguing that turning the barrel is not correct
Then why not teach/learn the correct way from the 'get go'. Not saying that teaching 'short to' is incorrect but, is part of 'turn the barrel'.
Short to:
tumblr_otxcx245wv1usf292o1_500.gif
 
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Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
I believe the short to FFS is referring to isn't the same as just pushing the hands to the ball but more of a "short hands" approach such as this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzaX7bSqya4

I recommend thinking of "short to" as retaining a Vee orientation in the rear arm as the shoulders become rotated towards the ball. The distance that is "short" in this case is the distance between the top-hand and the rear-shoulder. That distance remains "short" as one goes "towards" the ball ... "short to". In a sense this has the MOI reduced and leads to a faster swing. It also improves barrel control due to the integrity of the 'Vee'.
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
So, Why do we often say to Parent, Coach etc. That has a young player that they need to turn the barrel etc.? I'm not arguing that turning the barrel is not correct etc. by the way, but at the younger ages do you think that learning "Short to" builds a better foundation first to then build upon and add turn the barrel etc.?

I'd say about 50% of my hitters never need to hear the words "turn the barrel". The other 50% I tend to need to explain how the barrel is "worked" ... which is essentially "turning the barrel".
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
I recommend thinking of "short to" as retaining a Vee orientation in the rear arm as the shoulders become rotated towards the ball. The distance that is "short" in this case is the distance between the top-hand and the rear-shoulder. That distance remains "short" as one goes "towards" the ball ... "short to". In a sense this has the MOI reduced and leads to a faster swing. It also improves barrel control due to the integrity of the 'Vee'.

Right so you are not just pushing your hands forward without any torquing of the handle which is how short to is most often taught...
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
Then why not teach/learn the correct way from the 'get go'. Not saying that teaching 'short to' is incorrect but, is part of 'turn the barrel'.
Short to:
tumblr_otxcx245wv1usf292o1_500.gif

This is a good example of "short to". Notice how the rear forearm remains in a Vee orientation as the shoulders become turned towards the pitcher. The distance between the top-hand and rear-shoulder remains 'short'.

When I initially made this clip it was meant to help describe a notion of 'around' and 'along' ... where this was the 'around' portion. Here the barrel is essentially turned 'around' the rear forearm ... i.e., "turning the barrel".
 
Oct 2, 2017
2,283
113
Then why not teach/learn the correct way from the 'get go'. Not saying that teaching 'short to' is incorrect but, is part of 'turn the barrel'.
Short to:
tumblr_otxcx245wv1usf292o1_500.gif

I don't have experience working hands on with any of the older girls (12/14 and up) other than watching hitting videos people post, just my daughter who is 8. It seems to me that most cant even control the bat very well to begin with. Even seen that with the older girls. If you start trying to tell them to now turn the barrel. You are adding a movement that has to be controlled, not only with the hands but also the torso etc. If they start with short to they can in my opinion build a better feel of bat control. which will allow them to then control a barrel turn.
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
I don't have experience working hands on with any of the older girls (12/14 and up) other than watching hitting videos people post, just my daughter who is 8. It seems to me that most cant even control the bat very well to begin with. Even seen that with the older girls. If you start trying to tell them to now turn the barrel. You are adding a movement that has to be controlled, not only with the hands but also the torso etc. If they start with short to they can in my opinion build a better feel of bat control. which will allow them to then control a barrel turn.

What is your concept of "short to". Would you consider what the OP's DD is doing "short to"?

Edit: Also, you probably know that I am not big on instruction at your DD's (or mine) age anyway. However
if you are going to give instruction, then you might as well try to instruct what you think you want them to be
doing when they are 14 rather than what you think they can do now only to have to change it as they get older...
IMO of course and since you have seen my DD's swing you probably should take my advice with a grain of salt ;)
 
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