Lafayette ... any comments on their hitter's mechanics?

I'm not the most qualified to analyze the mechanics, but I absolutely admire coaches who are willing to go against the grain and try things that make sense to them. Also like how this player ''practices'' rolling the barrel, or at least that's what I assume she's doing. That suggests a hitter who has an idea of what she's trying to do. You can tell a lot about travel ball hitters by watching their practice swings. As for Lafayette coach, it's easy to do what everybody else does. Good for him or her. I'd like to hear the story behind it. One question would be how these batters handle outside pitches. I saw them pull two singles and one HR to left field in just the brief time that I watched.

Lotief was a HI member at one time.

The unique things he comes up with, I bet he swings a bat.

CoogansBluff said:

I'm not the most qualified to analyze the mechanics, but I absolutely admire coaches who are willing to go against the grain and try things that make sense to them. Also like how this player ''practices'' rolling the barrel, or at least that's what I assume she's doing. That suggests a hitter who has an idea of what she's trying to do. You can tell a lot about travel ball hitters by watching their practice swings. As for Lafayette coach, it's easy to do what everybody else does. Good for him or her. I'd like to hear the story behind it. One question would be how these batters handle outside pitches. I saw them pull two singles and one HR to left field in just the brief time that I watched.

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Swinging "one legged", that open front foot will not prevent reaching the outside pitch.

I knew this would wake you up. You 'Rage'n Cajun'. Yep, SNF teaches you to swing out from your body not around. Hit on the other side of the wall.

redhotcoach said:

Lotief was a HI member at one time.

The unique things he comes up with, I bet he swings a bat.

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I believe Lotief and Tom Guerry are somewhat friendly with each other. Hopefully, Tom can post to confirm or refute this.

FiveFrameSwing said:

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The interesting thing I noted in several of the clips above and especially this one...
The batters hands are not touching each other and the knuckles are not lined up in a typical fashion.
I presume the intent of this is to generate a stronger point of contact (using more human leverage) as opposed to generating more bat speed and sacrificing some leverage.

Split grip.
Not new Ty Cobb:

I love it. It's literally like smashing a topspin forehand in tennis. in my opinion, the thing this format has going for it is that it eliminates a lot of the complexities of a traditional swing that many girls have trouble with.

I started gravitating towards it in my own trials and tribulations, then abandoned it - thinking it was so unorthodox, there must be a flaw that I haven't found. I can honestly pound the bejeezus out of the ball doing this - but opted to go the more traditional route with my kids.

You can't push with this set-up because you cant hit the ball out front. Your weight distribution has to be correct or you have a hard time reaching the ball. It's very easy to grasp the sensation of turning the barrel to the ball. otherwise you cut the heck out of the ball or yank it foul in a very pronounced fashion.

It is so hard to explain to young girls (at least for me) the top hand action that the black girl is doing in the video above. This set-up essentially forces them into it without any explanation, just a little swinging and figuring.