Turning the barrel

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Jan 6, 2009
6,591
113
Chehalis, Wa
Is this turning the barrel? Is it good bat lag or separation?

zwx24j.jpg


Recently someone said the the barrel is being turned from the start. Is the little barrel movement shown actually turning the barrel from the start?

I would say that it looks like the pitch is inside in the clip. So that might make a difference.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Great clip!!

In my understanding...This is just before the hands become active to turn the barrel to contact.

This is a part of the swing that I see in a lot of elite hitters, where the hands and rear shoulder are moving together as a "connected" unit. Some people also see this a component of a "fly off the merry-go-round" type swing (Stanton, for example). I'm a little unclear on - and trying to gain a better understanding of - where the defining line is between an "elite" duration of connection and a "merry-go-round" duration of connection.
 
Jul 23, 2014
195
16
When you isolate the upper body, to me that is slotting the elbow. That is right before you turn the barrel with the hands.
 

rdbass

It wasn't me.
Jun 5, 2010
9,131
83
Not here.
Is this turning the barrel? Is it good bat lag or separation?

zwx24j.jpg


Recently someone said the the barrel is being turned from the start. Is the little barrel movement shown actually turning the barrel from the start?

I would say that it looks like the pitch is inside in the clip. So that might make a difference.

Maybe this will help....maybe only add to the confusion.....
The Float
float.gif

The "float" refers to the early moving of the barrel backward. Above you can see Barry Bonds "floating" the barrel backward which he quickly turns around at the "go" decision. However, it is important to understand the he turns it around by continuing in the same arc as the float. He does not stop the barrel and redirect it. He does not stop it and push or pull his hands forward. The pulling back with his scap and back, with a grip that allows the barrel to fall, creates the float and then he accelerates the swivel at "go". The barrel begins to fall down the slope then is accelerated at the "go" decision. It continues in the same arc at a faster speed.

This "float" is what DMac has coined a "running start". It is a running start but no commitment has been made to swing. He can swing or he can check the swing. The importance is, the bat has early bat speed that can easily be accelerated when needed. At "go".
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
My understanding is much less than than the rest of you here, but I have a question. ... In attempting to rid my DD's swing of some traces of DBSF, I've had her do the command drill.

Well, when is 'go' in this gif? With this hitter, the first moves I see are the elbow beginning to slow and the barrel taking a very slight move/adjustment toward flat before going rearward.

When I have DD do the command drill, I've eliminated both of these movements, as I thought they were deemed to be ''slop.''

What do I need to understand better?

OK< just now reading the 'float' explanation. But how do I incorporate that into the command drill? Is some float allowed, or no?
 
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TDS

Mar 11, 2010
2,926
113
My understanding is much less than than the rest of you here, but I have a question. ... In attempting to rid my DD's swing of some traces of DBSF, I've had her do the command drill.

Well, when is 'go' in this gif? With this hitter, the first moves I see are the elbow beginning to slow and the barrel taking a very slight move/adjustment toward flat before going rearward.

When I have DD do the command drill, I've eliminated both of these movements, as I thought they were deemed to be ''slop.''

What do I need to understand better?

OK< just now reading the 'float' explanation. But how do I incorporate that into the command drill? Is some float allowed, or no?

Big no,no.. 2 moves ;) The float (another made up term) is part of the swing.
 
Jul 26, 2016
108
18
Big no,no.. 2 moves ;) The float (another made up term) is part of the swing.

albeit not everyone has it. Donaldson does it a lot while for example trout seems to turn more or less directly from max tip. and edmonds even completely starts from a flat bat.

I'm not sure there even is an elite load and release pattern of the upper Body and Hands although some are better than others.
 
Feb 16, 2015
933
43
South East
My understanding is much less than than the rest of you here, but I have a question. ... In attempting to rid my DD's swing of some traces of DBSF, I've had her do the command drill.

Well, when is 'go' in this gif? With this hitter, the first moves I see are the elbow beginning to slow and the barrel taking a very slight move/adjustment toward flat before going rearward.

When I have DD do the command drill, I've eliminated both of these movements, as I thought they were deemed to be ''slop.''

What do I need to understand better?

OK< just now reading the 'float' explanation. But how do I incorporate that into the command drill? Is some float allowed, or no?


when is 'go' in this gif
My understanding is that go would be at the end of the gif.

But how do I incorporate that into the command drill? Is some float allowed, or no
My understanding of the command drill does not allow any float. Notice how during the "float" he is stretching his body by the way he is using his hands and his arms. He is creating separation during the clip. I believe in the command drill you preset this stretch and fire from there upon command. The command drill is just a drill to feel where the swing should be launched from. If my understanding is correct if Bonds were performing the command drill he would set up to the position he is in at the end of the gif and wait for the command to be given. Now with that being said if he was actually doing the command drill I do not think the stretch would be as extreme because there isn't any dynamic loading involved only static stretch which I believe should limit the amount of stretch you will be able to achieve.
 
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Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
when is 'go' in this gif
My understanding is that go would be at the end of the gif.

That would mean you start the command drill w/ the elbow essentially slotted, right? That's where the batter is at the end of the gif.

Also, this is not the point at which the hitter is fully stretched. So yeah, I'm confused. :)
 
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rdbass

It wasn't me.
Jun 5, 2010
9,131
83
Not here.
The Command Drill:
CommandDrill1.gif

CommandDrill2.gif

What do you see? Well you see JUST the launch of the swing
NOTE: I said they had to 'hold' their load.

I have taken the Command Drill further. I will have my DD 'load' as in going through her hitting sequence (off tee)
To execute a high level swing, you have to learn to continually pull back with your back, against your leg, creating a torsion spring-like load, and continue to wind it even though the range of motion has already been reached. You must have continual loading that includes no movement. And it is this continual loading without movement that leads to the seamless overlap. It leads to the ability to turn the load into the swing. This is the best stretch, the final stretch, which most never achieve. Most reach range of motion limit and stop stretching.

Like this. Take note of the pause, which after pause is GO:
CabreraColabelloRearCommand.gif

I will then give the 'Command' of Gooooo.

That would mean you start the command drill w/ the elbow essentially slotted, right?
For my DD the elbow is not slotted. DD's swing 'slots' the elbow. Your DD's elbow may not be 'slotted' by her swing.
 
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