For those hitters whose back foot skips forward

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May 12, 2016
4,338
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For example
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye18rV5chnY

I've seen some hitting instructors say that the player is driving their back knee towards their front leg/ankle ect. I'm not sure anymore? Initially the hitter might make this movement. But I believe once the front foot is planted, the force of the back hip rotating causes the back foot to come forward by pulling it. Thoughts?

Reason why I ask this is because I believe in my DD's swing she is overemphasizing this push and not focusing on rotating her hips/core enough. This causes her hips to slide when they should be rotating ... power leakage IMO.
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
For example
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye18rV5chnY

I've seen some hitting instructors say that the player is driving their back knee towards their front leg/ankle ect. I'm not sure anymore? Initially the hitter might make this movement. But I believe once the front foot is planted, the force of the back hip rotating causes the back foot to come forward by pulling it. Thoughts?

Reason why I ask this is because I believe in my DD's swing she is overemphasizing this push and not focusing on rotating her hips/core enough. This causes her hips to slide when they should be rotating ... power leakage IMO.

Pujols foot is sliding forward after he launches. Frank Thomas' foot use to come off the ground completely, but it was after launch too. If the foot is sliding forward before launch it is likely going to be an issue.
 
May 12, 2016
4,338
113
Pujols foot is sliding forward after he launches. Frank Thomas' foot use to come off the ground completely, but it was after launch too. If the foot is sliding forward before launch it is likely going to be an issue.

My title may be a little misleading... what I want to dig in more to here.. is whether the foot skips because the back knee is driven towards the front knee/ankle/foot... or is pulled by back hip rotation. You can see this more on hitters whose back foot skips.
 
Last edited:

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
For example
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye18rV5chnY

I've seen some hitting instructors say that the player is driving their back knee towards their front leg/ankle ect. I'm not sure anymore? Initially the hitter might make this movement. But I believe once the front foot is planted, the force of the back hip rotating causes the back foot to come forward by pulling it. Thoughts?

Reason why I ask this is because I believe in my DD's swing she is overemphasizing this push and not focusing on rotating her hips/core enough. This causes her hips to slide when they should be rotating ... power leakage IMO.

I use that cue. However, what you show in the Pujol video is along the lines of what I teach. The cue is like any other cue where you have to have it demonstrated. If a hitter over does it, they would fall down. So, the cue and action are to a degree and not overdone.
 
Nov 18, 2015
1,585
113
My title may be a little misleading... what I want to dig in more to here.. is whether the foot skips because the back knee is driven towards the front knee/ankle/foot... or is pulled by back hip rotation. You can see this more on hitters whose back foot skips.

I see, and feel, the skip as a pulling action.

If I drive my back knee towards the front foot, the only way I was able to do that without dragging or skipping my back foot is to spin (squish the bug).


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I know I will get assaulted for saying this. I think he is planting on front foot and pulling his hips around while swinging using more upper body strength. I have studied sprinting videos and pitching videos to develop more power for my dd pitching mechanics in lower body. Pushback drill for example never says push off the side of your foot for maximum power. So when I’m videoing dd swing I’m seeing very similar to Pujols swing in video. I have been trying to incorporate more drive off ball of back foot pushing hips through rather than focusing on turning hips. Which in slow mo videos appears to be pulling from front planted foot as back foot appears to drag forward at contact. I don’t think that is optimal. I have been looking for a twist on ball of the foot as weight is transferred forward through hip to front side resistance. I focus more on pushing through back leg less focus on hips turning because if you push through. The hips will turn from the ground force being applied.
 
May 12, 2016
4,338
113
I use that cue. However, what you show in the Pujol video is along the lines of what I teach. The cue is like any other cue where you have to have it demonstrated. If a hitter over does it, they would fall down. So, the cue and action are to a degree and not overdone.

Thanks CB. Actually my DD overdoes it and it causes here to stand up more at contact. Feet become closer together which makes the batter taller. I believe initially the back knee is driven towards the front foot.. just for just an instant.. then the back hip takes over and pulls the foot forward
 
Jan 6, 2009
6,587
113
Chehalis, Wa
I think the issue is if the hitter is hitting against the front leg. If they float forward the dragging of the back foot is exaggerated.

I get a feeling that the front leg (quad) contracts rapidly. Stabilizing quickly which lead to a popping of the hips and back foot. The back foot can move forward some or leave the ground slightly as a result.
 
May 12, 2016
4,338
113
I think the issue is if the hitter is hitting against the front leg. If they float forward the dragging of the back foot is exaggerated.

I get a feeling that the front leg (quad) contracts rapidly. Stabilizing quickly which lead to a popping of the hips and back foot. The back foot can move forward some or leave the ground slightly as a result.

That's my DD's issue IMO.. of course she has other issues as well, but this one I really want to get rid of. As I said many times before, having a hard time of it. I believe it was you who said after looking at my DD's swing, her hips are slipping
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
Take note that the back foot doesn't just move forward, but inward as well.

ACraig_1_Bview_rearleg_footdragx.gif



Puig_061913_front_rearfootdrag.gif



pujols_rear_footx.gif



Carlos_Gomez_Rear_Foot_Inward_Drag.gif
 

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