Proper Stretch and Fire

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Feb 24, 2013
32
8
Just starting to get into using this drill for my team as I like how it puts a direct emphasis on the back leg power. But I watched a youtube video (see below) and he emphasizes using all hip rotation and letting the hands just go along for the ride. This does not sound right to me as we want the hands to be independent and get long in the zone towards the pitcher correct?

[video]https://youtu.be/C3mG_ykmo2U[/video]
 
May 3, 2014
2,149
83
You cannot coil around your hip. The hip is a joint. You coil around the top of the rear leg. You use your lower back to pull the pelvis around the rear leg (which tightens your hip joint) as the rear leg fights to turn forward. The hands then snap the barrel rearward to release the lower back resistance against the rear leg. The rear leg pulls. The barrel should go back as the rear leg turns it forward.

Actually I wouldn't say the lower back releases. The rear leg turns it forward with continued lower back resistance.
 
Last edited:
Feb 24, 2013
32
8
What's funny is I teach high school Calculus and what you just described is harder for me to understand than the Calculus. I appreciate the response but I am trying to keep it simple. The coach in the video shows everything turning in unison: hips, shoulders, hands. What I am asking is shouldn't the hands be independent and be thrown forward to the pitcher (long in the zone)?
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
Independents hands is a logical next step to incorporate into this drill. FWIW, I prefer the terms turn the barrel and throw/launch the barrel over throwing the hands forward to the pitcher. IMO the only way to try and keep it simple is to swing the bat yourself so you can feel it and understand it well enough to be able to explain it to others in terms that they can grasp and implement. Much like teaching calculus to HS students I might think!
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
The guy in that YouTube video, SB, is one of the guys who helped develop the drill.
 
May 3, 2014
2,149
83
What's funny is I teach high school Calculus and what you just described is harder for me to understand than the Calculus. I appreciate the response but I am trying to keep it simple. The coach in the video shows everything turning in unison: hips, shoulders, hands. What I am asking is shouldn't the hands be independent and be thrown forward to the pitcher (long in the zone)?

It's even harder to understand than calculus because you have a preconceived idea about how the swing should happen and what your body is capable of. You go into calculus with a blank slate.
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
It's even harder to understand than calculus because you have a preconceived idea about how the swing should happen and what your body is capable of. You go into calculus with a blank slate.

Buttermaker, when I go into calculus, I think, ok so I know, I'm in the wrong room! LOL
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
What's funny is I teach high school Calculus and what you just described is harder for me to understand than the Calculus. I appreciate the response but I am trying to keep it simple. The coach in the video shows everything turning in unison: hips, shoulders, hands. What I am asking is shouldn't the hands be independent and be thrown forward to the pitcher (long in the zone)?

In contrast, I understood exactly what Butter said, but my understanding of Calculus is pretty close to zero.

You're seeing everything turning in unison, but that's not what it feels like inside the body. How it feels is the important part. Try these things for yourself and pay close attention to the resistance/tension that is created in different parts of your body, and how they contribute to the swing.
 
Apr 5, 2013
2,130
83
Back on the dirt...
I am a little concerned about the non use of the hands but i do understand its a drill. I wouldn't do too many reps of this unless there is understanding of why they are not using the hands.
 
May 3, 2014
2,149
83
I am a little concerned about the non use of the hands but i do understand its a drill. I wouldn't do too many reps of this unless there is understanding of why they are not using the hands.

Agree - have to use the hands/wrists to get the barrel moving.
 

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