Latest swings from long time DFP member

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

Jan 6, 2009
6,587
113
Chehalis, Wa
I don't like the front toe down and drifting of the hip/body forward after toe touch. There are some good hitters who do that controlled drifting, I just don't like it.
 
Jan 6, 2009
6,587
113
Chehalis, Wa
She seems to shift back and forth, sometimes she gets the front foot/toe down early and others just a normal swing/timing.

There is something consistent I believe. She seems to shift her weight/hips forward during the initiation and during the swing. The weight shift should happen prior to toe touch, part of the recoil or coiling against the back side.

Just thinking about it from a different point of view. Weight shift isn't a simple action.
 
Sep 29, 2008
1,401
63
Northeast Ohio
I don't like the front toe down and drifting of the hip/body forward after toe touch. There are some good hitters who do that controlled drifting, I just don't like it.
Good observations That is something that is clear that we are talking about. That move also can effect the swing path creating a down and across if she drifts to far
 
Oct 13, 2014
5,471
113
South Cali
Good observations That is something that is clear that we are talking about. That move also can effect the swing path creating a down and across if she drifts to far


Ihowser,

First off your DD looks like a solid athlete. Solid swing imo. I believe her load is throwing her off. She gathers well. But over does it a bit. Which makes her come out of her legs on the launch of the swing.
Which in turn makes her abandon her original load and recruit ‘drifting’ as a source for power. Just notice the head come up and out at launch. It should kinda stay level or go down a bit.



I would concentrate on getting into the legs first. Which can be achieved by creating minimal balanced flexion in the knees, basically activating the glutes. Then just asking her to maintain this flexion until launch. Or learning what being in your legs feels like. I think this will keep her power source intact. As well as shorten her move to the ball so to speak.

The key to being in the legs is glute activation. Feeling this alone can help her feel her legs as well. You could attack it from a feel standpoint or a physical standpoint. Jmo.
 
Sep 17, 2009
1,637
83
She looks good, congrats on her college success. If I recall (correct me if I'm wrong) she had a bit of a chicken wing issue back in the day. Don't see that at all.

These swings seem about 75% effort, which makes sense because this is obviously not game speed. That can account for some of the 'look' I describe below...

I would concentrate on that head popping up. It's a result of being 'too tall', pushing out to rotating around the front vs. the rear leg and over-emphasizing the lead leg block and pushback to enable rotation. See the difference:

1486814869
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
She seems to shift back and forth, sometimes she gets the front foot/toe down early and others just a normal swing/timing.

There is something consistent I believe. She seems to shift her weight/hips forward during the initiation and during the swing. The weight shift should happen prior to toe touch, part of the recoil or coiling against the back side.

Just thinking about it from a different point of view. Weight shift isn't a simple action.
Agree on this point although the good thing is she is actually still reaching back while she is sliding forward (at the point between toe touch and heel drop lots of great hitters have this little move) now the bad part is I think this drift is what is causing her to be too far over her front foot at contact, I'm going do frame by frame on her...and oh yeah doing SOOOO much right here we are working on the edges the foundation is definitely there!!!
 
Jan 6, 2009
6,587
113
Chehalis, Wa
Agree on this point although the good thing is she is actually still reaching back while she is sliding forward (at the point between toe touch and heel drop lots of great hitters have this little move) now the bad part is I think this drift is what is causing her to be too far over her front foot at contact, I'm going do frame by frame on her...and oh yeah doing SOOOO much right here we are working on the edges the foundation is definitely there!!!

Oh no doubt she has a nice swing. There just might be some adjusting that makes her even better.
 
Sep 29, 2008
1,401
63
Northeast Ohio
Ihowser,

First off your DD looks like a solid athlete. Solid swing imo. I believe her load is throwing her off. She gathers well. But over does it a bit. Which makes her come out of her legs on the launch of the swing.
Which in turn makes her abandon her original load and recruit ‘drifting’ as a source for power. Just notice the head come up and out at launch. It should kinda stay level or go down a bit.



I would concentrate on getting into the legs first. Which can be achieved by creating minimal balanced flexion in the knees, basically activating the glutes. Then just asking her to maintain this flexion until launch. Or learning what being in your legs feels like. I think this will keep her power source intact. As well as shorten her move to the ball so to speak.

The key to being in the legs is glute activation. Feeling this alone can help her feel her legs as well. You could attack it from a feel standpoint or a physical standpoint. Jmo.

Great post. We will see if we can feel what you are talking about and use your post as a reference as we look at her video.
Agree on this point although the good thing is she is actually still reaching back while she is sliding forward (at the point between toe touch and heel drop lots of great hitters have this little move) now the bad part is I think this drift is what is causing her to be too far over her front foot at contact, I'm going do frame by frame on her...and oh yeah doing SOOOO much right here we are working on the edges the foundation is definitely there!!!
I love this guys. I agree with your observations. That slide/drift is a power stealer for sure. It does affect the bat path sometimes as well. Doesn't strike out hardly ever (6th hardest D2 Freshman to strikeout in the country this past year). But too many pop-ups.
 
Last edited:
May 30, 2013
1,442
83
Binghamton, NY
maybe experiment with a bit longer stride? and also get the swing started just after toe touch?
also, sometimes a bit wider starting stance, with knees in slight bend, can help hitters from riding so far forward, and feel a bit of resistance with the front side?

to me, her stride foot is down early, and she absolutely is rocking (or drifting) her whole torso forward as her power source.
 

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,468
Members
21,443
Latest member
sstop28
Top