12yo Maddie

EricF,

Something to try for learning how to better load the pelvic is to start with an open stance, do a toe tap back, or a knee tuck or knee lift. Just make sure that the movement is initiated in the back hip and then the toe tap take place for example. It doesn't mean she has to switch her swing to an open stance for example, just do it as drill for learning how to better load the hips. That is part of the problem with the hips being late, she doesn't start with the hips in the load.

To me the body is the rythym for the hands. The legs/hips are the handle of the whip. So they lead the sequence starting with the load. The negative move is the old movement back to go forward, or movement back to deliver a blow. When I first started it was the hands talked about as the precursor in the negative move. It's the back hip/leg that starts.

Shawn said:

There's no bashing IMO. Even if you can see where improvements can be made, doesn't mean those changes can be achieved. This might be the best she can do. It doesn't mean she can't hit with her current swing. Hitting is more than just mechanics.

I don't look at these threads as bashing anyone. Just giving some food for thought.

Shawn

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Maddie is hitting the ball really well right now, and it's just getting better as she grows. That said, she and I both know there's areas that she can improve in her mechanics to squeeze even more power out of her.

One of the things she does best is her mental approach in the box - attitude, pitch selection, and focus. IMO, this is as big a contributor to her current success as anything else.

Eric F said:

Maddie is hitting the ball really well right now, and it's just getting better as she grows. That said, she and I both know there's areas that she can improve in her mechanics to squeeze even more power out of her.

One of the things she does best is her mental approach in the box - attitude, pitch selection, and focus. IMO, this is as big a contributor to her current success as anything else.

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So true! My DW and I can tell you how our DD will do at an at bat by watching her body language while on deck. Sometimes she has "The Eye Of The Tiger" and sometimes she doesn't but you can bet your last dollar when she is feeling it, she is going to hit the ball hard somewhere even with her improper mechanics .

This is a discussion forum about hitting that's why I discuss hitting. We all know and have seen 'improper' hitting mechanics in college & pro swings that have been very successful. We also have seen 'proper' hitting mechanics that have been very successful. 'We all are trying to reach the 'Holy Grail' of the HL swing. Just because I comment with possible improvements doesn't mean that player won't be successful with their current swing mechanics. It's a hitting discussion board about hitting and I am discussing hitting.
I also believe my DD's swing has improper swing mechanics......just ask her what dad thinks. DD is sooooo excited that she is home from college(not), so dad can work on those 'improper' swing mechanics. Wait until 'your' DD's go away to college and you're not getting to work with them every day on hitting. It sucks.

rdbass said:

This is a discussion forum about hitting that's why I discuss hitting. We all know and have seen 'improper' hitting mechanics in college & pro swings that have been very successful. We also have seen 'proper' hitting mechanics that have been very successful. 'We all are trying to reach the 'Holy Grail' of the HL swing. Just because I comment with possible improvements doesn't mean that player won't be successful with their current swing mechanics. It's a hitting discussion board about hitting and I am discussing hitting.
I also believe my DD's swing has improper swing mechanics......just ask her what dad thinks. DD is sooooo excited that she is home from college(not), so dad can work on those 'improper' swing mechanics. Wait until 'your' DD's go away to college and you're not getting to work with them every day on hitting. It sucks.

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I feel your pain RDB like I have told you in the past, I work away from home so I will not be with my kids over 50% of the short time that we will have together. So when I get home after doing research on this board, I 'm amped up to work on some stuff . I know that it aggravates the hell out of DD and DW that almost every time I get home from work, I tell them that I think I have it figured out now I feel like the boy that cried wolf to many times. lf t wasn't for all you guys on this forum I would be losing out on a lot of quality time with DD and even though it gets a little heated at times I hope when she gets older and may be has kids of her own she will then understand a parents fight to help their children achieve their dreams.

rdbass said:

This is a discussion forum about hitting that's why I discuss hitting. We all know and have seen 'improper' hitting mechanics in college & pro swings that have been very successful. We also have seen 'proper' hitting mechanics that have been very successful. 'We all are trying to reach the 'Holy Grail' of the HL swing. Just because I comment with possible improvements doesn't mean that player won't be successful with their current swing mechanics. It's a hitting discussion board about hitting and I am discussing hitting.
I also believe my DD's swing has improper swing mechanics......just ask her what dad thinks. DD is sooooo excited that she is home from college(not), so dad can work on those 'improper' swing mechanics. Wait until 'your' DD's go away to college and you're not getting to work with them every day on hitting. It sucks.

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OK so I posted I was done and the RD has to post this. (Bold Above) RD, I really feel for you. You are going through exactly what I went through in many ways. BB didn't mind hitting with me and in fact she wanted to. However, I missed the every night hitting, then she came home for Christmas and we hit. Then, she went back to school. It was even harder knowing that the season would soon begin and I was sitting at home not working with her. Good luck!

Someday they will call for no reason and tell you how much the appreciate all the time you spent with them and tell you they love you. Not even my daughter, but my niece, feels like my daughter. Now I get to start working with her kids which are 7, 7 (twins) and 6. We will be starting next year.

So I'll be posting videos soon and asking what I might be missing.

Eric F said:

Maddie is hitting the ball really well right now, and it's just getting better as she grows. That said, she and I both know there's areas that she can improve in her mechanics to squeeze even more power out of her.

One of the things she does best is her mental approach in the box - attitude, pitch selection, and focus. IMO, this is as big a contributor to her current success as anything else.

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These are all excellent points and things that are often overlooked during hitting practice.

My journey has just begun.........

It's off to kind of a rocky start.........

FP26 said:

These are all excellent points and things that are often overlooked during hitting practice.

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These are regular topics of discussion with our team. Some are getting better at it, some not so much. It's a process.