No power in swing, help! 12U

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Apr 11, 2019
11
3
Thanks! She is a pitcher too.....soooo finding the time and good hitting coach that fits into her schedule is tough!
There are a few things IMO that she has issues with. I’d keep her weight on the inside of her knee. When she “loads” her weight shifts back and bends her knee. This is leaking a ton of power. Get something for her to stand on much like a baseball pitcher could use a rubber. Have her keep her weight in her hip and inside the knee. Should be little movement going back or “loading”. And then I would take her hands out of her swing. The hands need to be an accuracy tool and she needs to learn to swing with her body. To do that she needs to learn turn her barrel. And last, she needs to finish her swing. Notice as she swings her torso stops and her hands just barely put a dent on the ball. Her back should be facing home plate when she finishes her swing.
 
Jan 6, 2009
6,591
113
Chehalis, Wa
I'm curious, can you explain why you think there is no reason for a load? Especially considering all upper level batters have a negative move or load. If by meaning load you mean a gather or negative move.

The load happens or starts before the ball is released. Josh Donaldson called it as having rhythm in the swing.

Definitely don't want to start from dead stopped position, as the poster above claiming it's wasted movement.
 
Nov 16, 2017
406
63
The load happens or starts before the ball is released. Josh Donaldson called it as having rhythm in the swing.

Definitely don't want to start from dead stopped position, as the poster above claiming it's wasted movement.

I agree with you fully, just trying to understand what the poster above is saying.
 
Jul 29, 2013
1,199
63
Looks like she struggles with timing. The last thing she needs to be doing at the plate is thinking about mechanics. Her brain can only concentrate on one thing, and it should be hitting the ball. Why fix mechanics if the problem is timing?
The fix is more BP with the pitcher throwing from game distance.
She needs to spend her time prior to at bats in the dugout and on deck timing the pitcher. From those vantage points she's going to be able to see better how long the ball takes to get to the plate and she can develop a rhythm to the pitcher's movements that coordinate with the time the ball will take to get to the plate.
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
One focus. ... hitting the ball when(if) it gets to the hitting zone.
Throw slow bp with her on deck in timing mode and then move her to the plate. Then start over with faster pitching, on deck first and then to the plate.
Make bp as close to game situation as possible.
 
Jan 28, 2020
58
8
There are a few things IMO that she has issues with. I’d keep her weight on the inside of her knee. When she “loads” her weight shifts back and bends her knee. This is leaking a ton of power. Get something for her to stand on much like a baseball pitcher could use a rubber. Have her keep her weight in her hip and inside the knee. Should be little movement going back or “loading”. And then I would take her hands out of her swing. The hands need to be an accuracy tool and she needs to learn to swing with her body. To do that she needs to learn turn her barrel. And last, she needs to finish her swing. Notice as she swings her torso stops and her hands just barely put a dent on the ball. Her back should be facing home plate when she finishes her swing.
Thanks! Yes she has been told she doesn't follow through in her swing....she is working on that.

Also, are you stating she stands with both feet on something (what?) to keep her weight in her hip?
 
Jan 28, 2020
58
8
Looks like she struggles with timing. The last thing she needs to be doing at the plate is thinking about mechanics. Her brain can only concentrate on one thing, and it should be hitting the ball. Why fix mechanics if the problem is timing?
The fix is more BP with the pitcher throwing from game distance.
She needs to spend her time prior to at bats in the dugout and on deck timing the pitcher. From those vantage points she's going to be able to see better how long the ball takes to get to the plate and she can develop a rhythm to the pitcher's movements that coordinate with the time the ball will take to get to the plate.
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
One focus. ... hitting the ball when(if) it gets to the hitting zone.
Throw slow bp with her on deck in timing mode and then move her to the plate. Then start over with faster pitching, on deck first and then to the plate.
Make bp as close to game situation as possible.
Thanks, yes her timing was off in that video but not always. When she makes contact, she only gets it in the outfield maybe 10% of the time, due to lack of power. I agree she needs more practice and doesn't need to think so much at the plate.
 
Jul 29, 2013
1,199
63
Thanks, yes her timing was off in that video but not always. When she makes contact, she only gets it in the outfield maybe 10% of the time, due to lack of power. I agree she needs more practice and doesn't need to think so much at the plate.
In that case, the best fix is early bat speed. I suggest "Tip and rip" as probably the least disruptive power producer.
After that, a bigger stride, and then a weight lifting plan.
 
Last edited:
Nov 16, 2017
406
63
Thanks, yes her timing was off in that video but not always. When she makes contact, she only gets it in the outfield maybe 10% of the time, due to lack of power. I agree she needs more practice and doesn't need to think so much at the plate.

What I am telling you is due to her load that goes into the knee she is running up hill to the ball instead of creating down hill momentum. Fix that and you will see a big difference.
 

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