Box Grip vs Knocking Knuckles

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Mar 13, 2015
202
18
Omaha, Ne
Simply, which is the correct grip? And what are pros cons each grip has?
I tried knocking knuckles and did not like it(as a player). DDs tried it and didn't like it. One isn't better than the other imo. All comfort. The problem coaches have is simply this...They don't know how to teach a kid how to grip a bat. Most that are trying/using a box grip place the handle on their palms and squeeze the crap out of it.

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May 12, 2016
4,338
113
Ahhh ... I know when I played I didn't line up the knockers, but I didn't do a lot of things correct. Been telling my DD for years line up the knockers because that's what her hitting coaches told her. But they told her a lot of wrong things as well
 
May 30, 2013
1,442
83
Binghamton, NY
we have been experimenting with this this week, so this post is timely.

for my DD, she was typically using a "box grip" but in experimentation with "knocking knuckles" she seems to be able to stay behind/inside the ball better, and bat path seems to stay in the hitting zone a bit longer. We aren't sold on it 100% yet, but it is an interesting experiment. Facing showcase live pitching this weekend should be the tell-all...
 
Apr 2, 2015
1,198
113
Woodstock, man
I cant believe in 2019, we are still having this discussion.

Ted Williams of all people likely started this nonsense in Life Magazine 9/1/1941 with some photo shoots for his cover essay.
hitting-grip-knuckles-ted-williams-life-mag-1941-0901.jpg


However, Ted, God bless him, just like every other pro to this day that says the same thing (ARod, Mattingly), never swung like this. Here is his game pic.

hitting-grip-knuckles-ted-williams-1-1266.jpg


This is the box grip. You can find random MLB players that use door knockers sometimes (Pujols, Ichiro, Tettleton), but 99%+ of them use a box grip just like Ted.

Keep your top wrist straight with no flex or slop (just like Ted's actual pic above). When you bring the elbow down, you want the bat head to come down in unison.
 
Last edited:
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
Knocking knuckles feels so uncomfortable to me UNLESS you are somebody like Molitor or Kent who didn't have back elbow up at toe touch.
 
May 1, 2018
659
63
I think a lot of it depends on how your back elbow is functioning. If you are "setting the table" back elbow up, box grip is really the only option. If you have a "A" frame elbow, knocking knuckles line up. Pujols vs Big Papi. Are either wrong....no. Do both work ...yes.
I'm a knocking knuckle guy cause that's how I hit. But however you get there, hand up /hand down at impact.
 

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