"Connector" Devices

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Apr 17, 2012
806
18
Wi
Panther dad just posted a video of his 11 y/o dd using the bungee device Coach James is talking about. You have to look closely.
Mags090214 - YouTube
 
Sep 17, 2009
1,637
83
knight,
when teaching with this device what r the techniques to emphasize? What should I b careful with? Over use? What do u recommend to keep me out of trouble.
thanks!

Good question. The relationship of the elbows and how they move to contact can be taught using the connector device. So drills that "stop swing" at different (deep) contact points are great. IMO issues could arise taking the connected elbows past contact. At that point, the best swing thought is to throw the top hand past the bottom hand, which at that point changes the orientation of the elbows. The problem with full swings with a connector would be to create a swing around the body "chicken wing" action.

See Cano's elbows approaching contact (which look as they would in a connector) and then past contact, fyi

Cano_2011HRD.gif
 
Sep 19, 2013
420
0
Texas
I'm a fan of connectors. (We own the "perfect conextion") However, I don't like how it inhibits a full swing.
I bought a "reverse connector" (my terminology)
Its an elastic band connected to two straps around the batters bicep area. It forces you to stay spread and compact to contact without the mechanical bar holding you back while getting through the ball. It works by applying muscle memory into the equation. The elastic is trying to pull your arms together but you have to keep them spread with muscle. After a few dozen swings, its like magic. The arms automatically spread without even trying.
I found it on a site called baseball rebellion. The product is called the bat drag buster. I paid $30 for it but had I known how simple it was, I could have been made for under $10
It is IMO one of the best tools ever made for teaching a correct swing. We even use it in live BP with no issues at all.

Coach J, so u saw a great improvement in your DD after using the device. It seems like the elastic would pull their elbows in. Have u tried w/ other kids and seen improvement in them?

I went to website. 44.95 w/ $10 off not sure what shipping would b.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Coach J, so u saw a great improvement in your DD after using the device. It seems like the elastic would pull their elbows in. Have u tried w/ other kids and seen improvement in them?

I went to website. 44.95 w/ $10 off not sure what shipping would b.

I think the point is that is forces the hitter to intentionally apply muscular force to keep the elastic stretched. It's kind of a reverse concept to the spreader bar approach to connector devices. IMO, this is worth experimenting with.
 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
Coach J, so u saw a great improvement in your DD after using the device. It seems like the elastic would pull their elbows in. Have u tried w/ other kids and seen improvement in them?

I went to website. 44.95 w/ $10 off not sure what shipping would b.

I think the point is that is forces the hitter to intentionally apply muscular force to keep the elastic stretched. It's kind of a reverse concept to the spreader bar approach to connector devices. IMO, this is worth experimenting with.
Exactly!!!
I've used it on dozens of girls ranging between 8-18. Every one of them have made huge improvements. It was my secret weapon. I'll give you an example of a 30-45mim bp with me.
1. Complete warm up / stretch
2. Perfect connection slo mo swings to 9 regions
3. Perfect connection hard swings into heavy bag
4. Drag buster stop swings into ball on tee while using the pro hammer bat
5. Full cuts with the buster off a tee to 9 regions with the pro hammer bat
6. Side toss for vision training (call out spin)
7. Front toss with buster
8. Live pitch with buster
9. Hard live pitch with out buster
10. Same as 9 with 2 strikes hitting
11. Rapid fire balance drill.
12. Bunting
13. Bunting with suicide on.
That is an example of bp with me....
PS. You'd better bring your gloves!
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
Good question. The relationship of the elbows and how they move to contact can be taught using the connector device. So drills that "stop swing" at different (deep) contact points are great. IMO issues could arise taking the connected elbows past contact. At that point, the best swing thought is to throw the top hand past the bottom hand, which at that point changes the orientation of the elbows. The problem with full swings with a connector would be to create a swing around the body "chicken wing" action.

See Cano's elbows approaching contact (which look as they would in a connector) and then past contact, fyi

Cano_2011HRD.gif

Do you believe the elbow-to-elbow distance is remaining the same in the segment below? I don't.

2gwz88m.gif
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Do you believe the elbow-to-elbow distance is remaining the same in the segment below? I don't.

2gwz88m.gif

That's why the stretchy-gadget grabs my interest. It allows some tolerance of independent movement, but still encourages the hitter to operate within a certain range. The spreader-bar type device allows zero tolerance. I think this is something that I will look into a bit deeper because I see the potential for some benefit for my DDs.
 

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