Swinging with intent - increasing game bat speed

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Sep 1, 2014
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This is something I worked with my younger daughter on just a couple of weeks ago. Her coach measures bat speed and hers was low. Still hits the ball well but could really be driving it farther with a little more intent.

So, I had her work at being more sudden - explosive - with her swing. This is a variation of what Jeff Edwards taught me.

Basically had her swing (starting slowly) and then quickly pull the swing backwards and swing through a little faster then pull back faster and swing through a little faster then pull back fast and swing through even a little faster etc... for five swings.

My thought was to ingrain the fastest swing (the fifth iteration) while on deck so that she has shown her body (pre programmed it) what an explosive swing feels like with the intent that her game swing will be as explosive as the 5th iteration of the warmup swing.

She plays this weekend so I want to see how this works for her.
 
Sep 1, 2014
85
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The battle is often more mental than physical, for young players. The fear of striking out, and the primary intent to "just make contact", is a hurdle that must be crossed.

I know what you mean as I have seen that a lot. But I don’t think it is the issue I am trying to combat. She really doesn’t care if she strikes out and only swings if she likes a pitch. She had a good coach in 10U who was extra understanding if she struck out on a bad pitch and would compliment her for not swinging at the pitch because she didn’t want her ruining her swing swinging at junk (umpires can be pretty bad at the lower age groups). I think that mentality has stayed with her. I also know it’s not the issue because she does the same swinging off the tee.

However, my DD does employ a slow momentum load (starts when the pitcher is just about to release ball) with a leg kick but then tends to finish Slower than she is capable (kind of one speed - Start slow...finish slow).

With this on deck drill I want her to get the feel of finish fast when it is time to go and have that feel be the last thing in her head as she walks to the plate (last thing after figuring out the optimal time to start load based on the pitchers mechanics and speed that is). Groove the fast follow through to apply to her timed up swing.
 
Last edited:
Aug 20, 2017
1,474
113
The battle is often more mental than physical, for young players. The fear of striking out, and the primary intent to "just make contact", is a hurdle that must be crossed.
And the worry of parents yelling at them if they swing at a bad pitch! That kills young players. Makes them reactive, defensive and weak
 
Aug 20, 2017
1,474
113
I teach hitters to “Make the pitcher feel you!”

Also, taking strike 3 is a no-no in my book!

I gotcha on on slow load stuff. However, hitters need to be moving slowly while pitcher is moving and be onto their stride when ball hits hip and have heel plant occur when ball is 3/4 there
 
Sep 1, 2014
85
8
I teach hitters to “Make the pitcher feel you!”

Also, taking strike 3 is a no-no in my book!

I gotcha on on slow load stuff. However, hitters need to be moving slowly while pitcher is moving and be onto their stride when ball hits hip and have heel plant occur when ball is 3/4 there

Well, that all really depends on how fast the pitcher is throwing and her mechanics and that is all measured while on deck.
 
Sep 17, 2009
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So you want her to swing five times like a coach is speed-pitching at her from 6 feet away :)
 

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