Working on a issue. Hand separation scap loading, thoughts.

Gambler Bob said:

She can hit off a tee well with pretty good mechanics, especially for being as young as she is. She hits front toss well and can hit off a pitching machine well also. The issue is when she is hitting of a coach or player that is using a full windmill motion everything goes to crap. Not sure if it a timing issue or it is a fear of getting hit by the ball.

I try to keep things relatively simple for this age level for hitting. What I try to teach is a 4 step process.

Step 1 - Load
Step 2 - Stride/Toe Tap and Separation of Hands ( This is where the issue is )
Step 3 - Swing
Step 4 - Good finish

What happens against the full windmill is her hands start moving forward at the same time as the stride and toe tap portion is happening. There is no hand separation happening at all, actually the exact opposite of separation is happening. Since her hands move forward during step 2 she looses all of her power and bat speed. Not sure how to work on this with her since this does not happen when we work of a tee, front toss, or a machine.

Anyone got a drill that they think will transfer over into a more game like situation that we can work on? On one hand I don't want her to swing like I described above but on the other hand she needs to see live pitching. One idea I have was trying the one leg drill, where you balance on one leg and go into your stride from there to force her to keep her hands back.

This is a 9 year old.

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So Cal Seth said:

Drill: For this issue, I like Justin Stone's feet together drill. Have her line up with her back foot in normal spot compared to tee, and her front foot right next to her back foot, touching. Have her hands and bat lined up vertically (so her hands would be near belly button and bat standing up in to middle of her face. Then have her stride forward while having her hands going back to create that stretch and scap load. Do this several times w/o swinging until she's doing it well. It's key to make sure that when she gets in to launch position her legs are in an athletic position (balanced so that she can jump from her position). I did this last night with a former player of mine, 7 y/o, who needed some help. The leg instruction helped. Once she starts doing this consistently, have her swing from that feet-touching, bat in middle of body position.

Any questions or clarifications let me know.

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So Cal Seth said:

Or just watch this, as he'll explain it much better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLbpAoG_dgQ

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DRDRODD said:

GB,

You stated step 1 to be a load....... can you describe this action?

Edited

Can you also elaborate on step 2 separation of hands?


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Gambler Bob said:

Step 1- Would be shifting a little more weight on to your back foot. I try to get her to start off with her weight 50/50% and then get to more of a 65/%35 with more weight on the back foot. I also want her weight to be off her heels at this point and good balance. Her shoulders move a little but I don't want her hands to move much at all at this point, if her hands are moving it is because of loading.

Step 2- After the load I have her taking a relatively small stride to get to toe tap, her front foot probably only gains a couple inches. It is not a big stride or high leg kick at all like you would see a Josh Donaldson do. As she is striding I want her to bring her hands back slightly causing some separation. This is where the issue is, her hands are doing the opposite, only vs live pitching. Her front foot after stride finishes slightly open pointing towards the shortstop area (she is a lefty).

Not sure she is old enough to understand scap loading, I would say she is doing more of a hand separation more than an actual scap load. Her swing looks kinda like what Justin Stone is doing at about the 1:02 mark of this video. What I really need to do is get some video of her tee, front toss swing vs her live pitching swing so you guys can get a better visual. I am a retard when it come to technology and posting videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6K2ekB10zg

Click to expand...

Gambler Bob said:

Step 1- Would be shifting a little more weight on to your back foot. I try to get her to start off with her weight 50/50% and then get to more of a 65/%35 with more weight on the back foot. I also want her weight to be off her heels at this point and good balance. Her shoulders move a little but I don't want her hands to move much at all at this point, if her hands are moving it is because of loading.

Step 2- After the load I have her taking a relatively small stride to get to toe tap, her front foot probably only gains a couple inches. It is not a big stride or high leg kick at all like you would see a Josh Donaldson do. As she is striding I want her to bring her hands back slightly causing some separation. This is where the issue is, her hands are doing the opposite, only vs live pitching. Her front foot after stride finishes slightly open pointing towards the shortstop area (she is a lefty).

Not sure she is old enough to understand scap loading, I would say she is doing more of a hand separation more than an actual scap load. Her swing looks kinda like what Justin Stone is doing at about the 1:02 mark of this video. What I really need to do is get some video of her tee, front toss swing vs her live pitching swing so you guys can get a better visual. I am a retard when it come to technology and posting videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6K2ekB10zg

Click to expand...