15yo Maddie

[djcarter1966]

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So, here’s the important point...

There’s a lot of variation in top-level swings.

I’ve found the type of swing that works well for Maddie to produce power, quickness, and a bat path that most consistently creates the ball flight pattern we want. That swing includes pulling rearward over her rear hip, and creates a body position at contact with a rearward tilt, and the head behind the rear hip. This is movement and body position that I see confirmed by multiple elite hitters (as seen in the examples I have posted).

Are there counter-examples? Yep. There sure are. What that tells me is that there is more than one way to get the job done. Find what works for your player(s).

The purpose of this thread is to document Maddie‘s journey and share what we are learning along the way. One of the things we have learned is that she does well with a swing pattern that includes pulling back over the rear hip. I learned this with her multiple years ago. Her work with Mike has helped her reach a new level within that framework.

I am not proclaiming that this is the only way for everyone. This is the way for Maddie.

but is there really.....lots of style variations but if you look at toe touch, elbow slot and contact you will be looking at a lot of very similar pictures...I took Donaldson (high leg kick) and Chamberlain (no step) for comparison a while back, besides the fact Josh is hitting a high inside pitch and Lauren is hitting a outside pitch below her knee lots of similarities.

 

[Eric F]

Welp, just getting into this kind of late. Sucks to hear about the travel ball.

Glad I get to see you in those tight yoga shorts again!! CHAAAAOOWWWWW

I prefer looser clothing for yoga. Tight shorts are for the bike - WINNING ROCKS!!

That was a couple of years ago

 

[Eric F]

but is there really.....lots of style variations but if you look at toe touch, elbow slot and contact you will be looking at a lot of very similar pictures...I took Donaldson (high leg kick) and Chamberlain (no step) for comparison a while back, besides the fact Josh is hitting a high inside pitch and Lauren is hitting a outside pitch below her knee lots of similarities.View attachment 15982

As I've mentioned before, one of the check-points I look for at contact is for is the head behind the hip, and a line from rear knee-hip-shoulder is a straight line or a rearward bend at the hip. This is something I see in countless high level hitters, including these examples you posted. Under the hood, it largely relates to how they are using the muscles in their back.

Here's some others...

Maddie is a little extreme on this right now, especially with the tee swings posted previously (lots of exaggerations in those), and there are some adjustments to be made. What does not work for her is a position like this...

 

[Work=wins]

 

[Eric F]

First game of the HS season...


Full disclosure - The fields we were playing on didn't have HR fences. This hit ended up being a 210'+ triple. In their second game, she hit a laser line drive to RF that went for a HR. With a fence, it probably would have been a double.

She's frustrated with yet another injury (rotator cuff strain) that is keeping her from behind the plate. In their second game, after blasting their way to an early 13-1 lead, the coach gave some circle time to the #2 and #3 pitchers, and the lead was whittled away to 13-10. Additionally, the #2 catcher was really struggling to hang on to the ball, and it cost a few of those runs. In the final inning, with the bases loaded and 1 out, the coach decided to go back to the #1 P to close out the game, and Maddie asked to catch, even knowing she can't throw very hard. They worked one batter who dribbled a change up back to P. P flipped it to Maddie for the force at home, who then made one hard throw to turn the double play, and closed out the game to preserve the win. After, Maddie said the throw hurt, but she wasn't going to NOT make that play.

 

[djcarter1966]

Nice hit she is looking good....sorry abut the injury...I would baby that thing as much as possible, gotta thing long term.

 

[Nunthia1914]

The journey continues from this thread... https://www.discussfastpitch.com/threads/14yo-maddie.34935/

I don't think that the swings posted here are ideal, nor do they represent all of what I believe is included in an "elite" swing. There are still areas for improvement in her mechanics. That said, she is a consistent and powerful hitter who continues to prove herself against challenging competition. As much as anything, this series of threads is about documenting Maddie's progress, and hopefully it can help someone else in their own journey.

As I stated in the previous threads, I'm not necessarily looking for "help". I'm comfortable with the progress she's making, and the coaching she's currently getting. That said, I welcome input and comments about her swing, and things you're seeing - good or bad.

Here we go with 15yo Maddie - a few swings from last night's front-toss BP session...

 

[Nunthia1914]

The journey continues from this thread... https://www.discussfastpitch.com/threads/14yo-maddie.34935/

I don't think that the swings posted here are ideal, nor do they represent all of what I believe is included in an "elite" swing. There are still areas for improvement in her mechanics. That said, she is a consistent and powerful hitter who continues to prove herself against challenging competition. As much as anything, this series of threads is about documenting Maddie's progress, and hopefully it can help someone else in their own journey.

As I stated in the previous threads, I'm not necessarily looking for "help". I'm comfortable with the progress she's making, and the coaching she's currently getting. That said, I welcome input and comments about her swing, and things you're seeing - good or bad.

Here we go with 15yo Maddie - a few swings from last night's front-toss BP session...

 

[Nunthia1914]

I don't agree with Eric . Her swing is good

 

[Eric F]

Nice hit she is looking good....sorry abut the injury...I would baby that thing as much as possible, gotta thing long term.

Yep. She had an eval with a PT last week. One of the muscles in the rotator cuff is strained and irritated, but not torn. However, she was warned that if she didn't let it heal now, she's only going to make things worse. She's got a program for recovery and strength-building. After PGF Nats in July, it was almost 6 months before she was throwing hard on a regular basis again due to her fractured finger in Oct. When HS ball got active, she jumped in way too hard and fast, as is her style.