Pre swing pattern and sequence

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Jan 6, 2009
6,591
113
Chehalis, Wa
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I thought this was an interesting clip showing a no stride hitter starting at the same time as someone with a knee lift. Is there such a thing as starting to early? Even though Sweeney was a no stride hitter he starts very early.
 
Mar 13, 2015
202
18
Omaha, Ne
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I thought this was an interesting clip showing a no stride hitter starting at the same time as someone with a knee lift. Is there such a thing as starting to early? Even though Sweeney was a no stride hitter he starts very early.
Everyone has their own way of timing. The only thing that matters is being on plane and on time.

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Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
Shawn, my personal opinion is that with the hitters many of us work with, yes you can start too early. If you want a hitter to coil and hold that coil as they resist, they can't do that too long before they start leaking.
 
Jan 6, 2009
6,591
113
Chehalis, Wa
Shawn, my personal opinion is that with the hitters many of us work with, yes you can start too early. If you want a hitter to coil and hold that coil as they resist, they can't do that too long before they start leaking.

Yes, I think there is such a thing as to early. Interesting that some no stride hitters start as early as they do, Edmonds started pretty early as well. In the clip Sweeney starts early although there is still a rhythm to it.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
It is possible to be too early, but I think youth hitters tend to be either late or rushed. Rhythm is definitely an important factor. I like the thought of being "slow and early" and that is the first thing that comes to mind watching Sweeney. The link is a clip of Jose Bautista talking about that concept.

https://youtu.be/z0AlTsey6MI
 
Dec 4, 2013
865
18
It is possible to be too early, but I think youth hitters tend to be either late or rushed. Rhythm is definitely an important factor. I like the thought of being "slow and early" and that is the first thing that comes to mind watching Sweeney. The link is a clip of Jose Bautista talking about that concept.

https://youtu.be/z0AlTsey6MI

I couldn't agree more that a huge number of youth hitters are late/rushed. Many don't even begin the loading process until the ball is half way home. "Get to the command drill position on time" and "slow and early" have been coming out of my mouth a lot as of late......
 
Jan 6, 2009
6,591
113
Chehalis, Wa
I couldn't agree more that a huge number of youth hitters are late/rushed. Many don't even begin the loading process until the ball is half way home. "Get to the command drill position on time" and "slow and early" have been coming out of my mouth a lot as of late......

Yes fastpitch players are terrible at starting early. There are so many that do the late "jab step" , quick jab step. It's completely rushed, going from fast to faster for the rhythm. Instead of going from relaxed to quicker.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Yes fastpitch players are terrible at starting early. There are so many that do the late "jab step" , quick jab step. It's completely rushed, going from fast to faster for the rhythm. Instead of going from relaxed to quicker.

Yep. I see it frequently with the players I work with. They simply aren't giving themselves enough time to execute a good swing process on time. Quite a few have improved their hitting dramatically just with an adjustment to when they start moving.
 
Sep 17, 2009
1,637
83
Slow and early is one of our priorities, and this is with a pretty decent 18U team. Their issue is though they can hit some haven't seen the raw speed or quality pitching they are seeing now. Maybe they are big hitters in high school against average pitching. Or they are moving to us from a "B" program that wasn't as challenged. I use the exact same language as above, but I also explain to them that they are the subject of an "optical illusion." In the past, they could wait until they'd see the ball to start their swing. Their mind fools them that they can STILL do that. Some coaches/parents will tell them they are swinging over/under but the truth is they are almost 100% *late*. Their mind thinks they can execute in time still but their body is failing them -- and there is NO other choice but to start earlier. They likely CAN'T get "quicker" (well maybe a little) but slow and early is a much better option. Get a *timing window*!! We try to help them understand that the load is also for "reading" the pitch and deciding as late as possible to finish swing or abort. Don't swing downward to one point (what if the ball moves! and it will!) but launch rearward and have live hands that can find the ball. It's the same for stride or no-stride, they have to start moving/reading earlier than in the past and have good hands that can help square the ball.
 

rdbass

It wasn't me.
Jun 5, 2010
9,131
83
Not here.
giphy.gif


I thought this was an interesting clip showing a no stride hitter starting at the same time as someone with a knee lift. Is there such a thing as starting to early? Even though Sweeney was a no stride hitter he starts very early.

No offense but, if I can't see the pitcher on the left. How do I know both hitters started at the same time. Just because the 2 gifs 'seemed' sync together doesn't mean the 2 pitchers were in prefect sync in their delivered/delivering motion.
 
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