Swing looks....wrong. Any suggestions?

Djubs said:

Here is an updated video. After we recorded, I had her try a few things that was mentioned here and having her turn so the pitcher could see her back left pocket did appear like she hit the ball a lot harder. Would this change the timing of her swing? I imagine it would since she is starting at a different stance when the pitch is thrown. Or is this just a drill done outside of a game? Thanks again for all the info.


https://youtu.be/QZMOIPMi6zE

Click to expand...

My impression is what some call a gated swing. She doesn't seem to get separation between the hips and the shoulders the X stretch. Causing her not to use the bigger muscles of the body and just swings with her arms and not using her core very well. The front hip seems to stay closed until the launch. I am not sure but she maybe a candidate for some type of heavy bat training which may cause her to learn how to leverage her big muscles to help power her swing. With all that being said I may be off base with my conclusion. I am sure more experienced posters will chime in. Thanks for sharing her video. What age is she?


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When I read the OP it seemed familiar to me. I felt the same way about one of my DDs swings...several people looked at it but had trouble identifying the issue. I would say that she has a few issues. All the other issues identified may well be true, but to me...the thing you are having trouble pinpointing is a problem with her swing path. She takes a short (good), quick path to contact...but she never turns the barrel. She goes directly to the ball...and ends up with a flat swing at contact, that is kind of heading down..and also this can cause the wrists to roll right at the contact point. Look at the pic posted in this thread (for a different reason)...look at the hand position at contact...this is where she needs to get. To me, the key is the top (right) hand...as she begins to launch her swing forward the top hand should be turning the barrel. This puts the bat on (or closer to) the right path that gets her to contact with the hands above the barrel and not following through with the barrel continuing down. She never gets the bat on the right swing path because she doesn't turn the barrel at the top. Search on here about turning the barrel. Practice using her right hand correctly, focus on what she looks like at the point of contact.

One of the things that jumps out at me is how the upper arms are pulled against her torso into and through contact. This is leaving no option but a shortened swing around the spine. Getting the lead elbow working up and away from the torso into contact will allow for the hands to work out-from the rear shoulder.

Start here, OP:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS5CzgXRwf4

So Cal Seth said:

Start here, OP:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS5CzgXRwf4

Click to expand...

I second that suggestion. Good drill.

High Level with hip socket separation on the left; Amateur with none on the right.




I would try this first before going crazy with drills and see what DD's swing looks like. Get the bat into the vertical position and launch swing/go right to the ball with out dropping/pinning the bat to the side of the shoulder. JMHO.

Thank you for all the feedback. It truly amazes me how much you guys can tell from just her swing. I really like the video that was posted by So Cal and since it was raining out today we worked on that in the garage. I took the video below on my phone, does this swing look better, worse or about the same? To me, it looks like she is getting more power to the ball.

Also rdbass, if you see this would you mind letting me know if this also resolved the bat path issue or if it still looks the same to you? I feel like this drill is actually helping what I think you are pointing out.


https://youtu.be/RsJGSklyTiI

P.S. I am working overnights at the moment which is why I post updates so late. I do check this forum as soon as I wake up for any updated info/help. Thanks again to all that took the time to reply.

Djubs....the latest video shows she (and you) are starting a journey. She's trying to feel things in her body she hasn't felt before. Up to now, her mental image of "swing" -- and thus her actions -- were a hitter "swings" their arms around their body. Now she's starting to understand -- and you too, based on your initial post and where you are now -- that there's more to it. Body parts work in opposite directions. She can start to feel a coil and a stretch and a separation. She can do it in slow motion and start to feel pieces of it and then try to work it into her swing. She can see it in your videos and feel it in her body. There is no single drill or simple answer. Keep reading and learning, you've gotten good advice and links to good info here. Go in deep...her latest video isn't the "after" quite yet It won't come for you or her in a day. A lot of it is counter-intuitive. Expect when she learns one movement on the tee it will fall apart in soft-toss....that's ok. Congrats, she's starting!

Djubs IMO her separation does look better. Regarding the bat path issue that was pointed out if you look at the link that Buttermaker posted compare his bat path and where his barrel is at launch with your DD. Your DD is hammering at the ball with the bat and the young man is swiveling the bat to the ball. I have seen a gif posted before by Spartans that shows the difference maybe someone else has it. IMO to better achieve the desired bat path she will have to change her arm positioning like Eric has mentioned and possibly her grip. In other words get the upper arm away from her body and maintain a more vertical barrel. As she evolves overtime she can start to play around with the arm movement. Some use a hitch for this and some do not. I would suggest to keep improving your knowledge on the sequence as it needs to continually improve as she ages. The Justin Stone video is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the sequence. Everything said is just MHO from one dad to another with a DD that is or has struggled with the same things your DD is struggling with.