Swing Plane and upright position at contact

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

May 12, 2016
4,338
113
Hi Everybody,

I would like some advice on a couple of things with my daughters swing;

1. Swing plane: Something not right, bat path seems way too low after contact. I am wondering if it's because she opening her shoulders too much
2. She transitions from a low athletic position to a more upright position as her backside gains ground on her front side. It looks to me like she's not maintaining a firm front side. Her front leg his firm, but looks like her upper body get's over that front hip.

Please let's not make this a stride vs no stride discussion... :).

She generates power and a lot of bat speed, however I don't think she's getting full extension and with her head not being on a level plain through out the swing I know she's not seeing the ball as well as she could.

Any drills anybody knows to address this would be helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwDt0RisdiU

Cheers
 

ian

Jun 11, 2015
1,175
48
Looks strong and athletic. Like RDB said she is swinging down on the ball, not getting behind the ball and driving it. The bat doesn't stay in the zone for very long.

How are her long throws from the outfield? If she can make long accurate throws without the ball tailing away, have her incorporate those movements/that feeling into her swing. If not work on throwing for a while, might be able to improve two aspects of her game. Throw the barrel through the trajectory of the pitch.
 
May 12, 2016
4,338
113
Thanks to both of you for replying..

Just to clarify so I understand...

*Her upper body (shoulders included) are advancing forward as her hands lag a little bit, ins't this a good thing?

I am not sure I understand the downward path to the ball.. please see sequence below;

1. Elbow starts to slot, barrel starts to turn
1.jpg

2. Barrel still turning, getting in that classic position with end of barrel angling toward the catcher
2.jpg

3. End of Barrel facing catcher
3.jpg

4. Barrel on plane with the ball well before contact
4.jpg

I could be wrong and most likely am, but in order to understand I need to explain my perspective. To me she looks like she is turning the barrel and getting on path early. I see the issue after contact or maybe just before because the bat does not start it's upward path. Also her results at the plate indicate this as well, a lot of hard line drives, but not much loft. I know I shouldn't complain about line drives, but I see more potential with shots in the gaps.
 
May 12, 2016
4,338
113
Absolutely, thx again for your help
5.jpg

Sorry closest frame I could get.. at this point everything looks too flat to me. she levels off the frame before, but there is no upward path. Do thinks it's because that her upper body is getting too forward? If her upper body was more aligned with her hip she might get more loft.. also her back leg begins to straighten out maybe she's lunging a little?
 
Last edited:
May 12, 2016
4,338
113
The tee looks more forward than it is... I'm taking the video a little behind her which distorts the angle a little
 
May 12, 2016
4,338
113
Np at all, thanks again
5.jpg

btw she hit this ball solid, you can see there is a little upward trajectory. I am thinking if the hit it solid the path was downward, wouldn't the ball also be trajecting downward? Unless she clipped of course, which she didn't. I agree with you about hitting the ball in the air more, she has power I would to see more air and gappers
 
Last edited:
May 12, 2016
4,338
113
Her front foot is level with the tee.. the angle is just bad. That's where I like the tee placed when she's hitting up the middle. I move it back on the outside pitch and she does clip the bottom of the ball sometimes,, that to me indicates downward, but then she lines it hard sometimes as well...
 
Dec 4, 2013
865
18
Swing_zpsbjc4rrgg.gif
Braun%20Demo_zpscbe4tsxl.gif


Her upper half is quickly out racing her lower. The barrel is being turned out in front of her body......Her weight is getting to her front side then she is swinging............Look at the depth of her barrel compared to this hitter.....Watch the hitter's bat on the right immediately begin to blur....
 
Last edited:
Aug 1, 2008
2,314
63
ohio
Casey verses Reading this one went over the fence.jpgaaron-hill.jpg

This is my daughter in highschool, junior I believe...This ball was all ready hit. See how close her lead arm is to her chest. At impact you want your lead arm and bat to be somewhat straight in line.
Arm and bat have a slight curve but almost straight at impact
The pro has a slight radius from shoulder to end of bat, fairly tight to the chest

see the difference? your dd lead arm goes out and makes a 45 degree turn to go down the forearm and bat.
In your stills your daughter pulled the knob to far before release. her upper body gets ahead of rotation in video

On rotation you don't want the hands to get past the stripe of your rear pants
leg too early.


Straightleg
 
Last edited:
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
In terms of drills one thing which might help is to have her get into her loaded hitting position and then give her the command to hit right from that position by turning the barrel.
 

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,468
Members
21,443
Latest member
sstop28
Top