Just some discussion: What are your top 3 absolutes that you try to teach all hitters

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May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Got it ... you recommend "creating tension" and being "connected" ... and you were intentionally vague.

Appreciate the 'red' ... adding descriptions helps many folks.

I didn't recommend anything to anyone. I stated things I believe in. Whether or not anyone else believes in the same things is up to them. I'm not a guru, or an experienced hitting instructor.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Areas that I frequently have hitters focus on ...
1) Rhythm
2) Sequence (inclusive of ‘early and slow’, core loading, balance, preparing to use the torso/core)
3) Torso-engine (inclusive of lower rear back becoming arched, rear shoulder becoming semi-retracted, top hand coming up and assisting with the lead arm seeking plane [short hands])
4) Top hand path (inclusive of rear forearm loop action and being short)
5) Direction
6) Mentality of a hitter

Good stuff here ^^^, IMO. Mentality is a HUGE thing!
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
I didn't recommend anything to anyone. I stated things I believe in. Whether or not anyone else believes in the same things is up to them. I'm not a guru, or an experienced hitting instructor.

Excellent ... so you are capable of adding clarity ... you simply desire not to add clarity on your #2 belief of "creating tension" and being "connected".

Combine those two ... "tension" and "connection" .... and I think you've been around the game long enough to realize what some kids would do with that instruction ... it isn't pretty ... and we both probably see it frequently.
 
Last edited:
Oct 13, 2014
5,471
113
South Cali
Well, I'll keep with the EricF theme of not adding detail :).

Areas that I frequently have hitters focus on ...
1) Rhythm
2) Sequence (inclusive of ‘early and slow’, core loading, balance, preparing to use the torso/core)
3) Torso-engine (inclusive of lower rear back becoming arched, rear shoulder becoming semi-retracted, top hand coming up and assisting with the lead arm seeking plane [short hands])
4) Top hand path (inclusive of rear forearm loop action and being short)
5) Direction
6) Mentality of a hitter

As always good stuff 5. I appreciate your thorough yet not so thorough description. If I were to simplify this :

1. Load or prep rhythmically in balance
2. Core
3. Hands
4. Don’t look at strike 3 :)

Probably incorrect. But I wanted to try.
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
As always good stuff 5. I appreciate your thorough yet not so thorough description. If I were to simplify this :

1. Load or prep rhythmically in balance
2. Core
3. Hands
4. Don’t look at strike 3 :)

Probably incorrect. But I wanted to try.

Now that made me laugh.

The order I gave is the order of importance I tend to use during general instruction.

One head coach that is sometimes in the cages when I am there will shake their head when I teach that the torso-engine is the third most important part of the swing ... because they believe it to be #1 ... and while I respect that, my answer is always the same ... a hitter needs rhythm to time the pitcher, and they need to be in sequence if they are going to use their torso-engine efficiently.

That said, when working with kids I'll jump ahead to #3 if they are struggling with #2, and then revert back to #2. It can help to know how the torso engine works so that you can do a better job preparing to use the torso engine.

I laughed again at the "Don’t look at strike 3" comment. With two-strikes I want my hitters in "battle mode" ... prior to two strikes I want them in "predator mode".
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Combine those two ... "tension" and "connection" .... and I think you've been around the game long enough to realize what some kids would do with that instruction ... it isn't pretty ... and we both probably see it frequently.

The instruction that goes with the words is the important part. More important than the words themselves, IMO.
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
The instruction that goes with the words is the important part. More important than the words themselves, IMO.

The reason that instruction is helpful is because it adds clarity to the words. Lacking video instruction, clarity can be improved with more descriptive words.

You are not interested. I get that. I'll let it drop.
 
Oct 4, 2018
4,611
113
Good addition. I ask my girls to head to the plate with the mentality of "I'm going to crush the ball". I want them thinking positive, trusting themselves, etc.

On every pitch, you have a "YES!" attitude. In the stance, "YES I WILL CRUSH IT!" In the load, "YES I WILL CRUSH IT!" In the step, "YES I WILL CRUSH IT!" Only when you decide not to swing is the thought changed.
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
Good addition. I ask my girls to head to the plate with the mentality of "I'm going to crush the ball". I want them thinking positive, trusting themselves, etc.

On every pitch, you have a "YES!" attitude. In the stance, "YES I WILL CRUSH IT!" In the load, "YES I WILL CRUSH IT!" In the step, "YES I WILL CRUSH IT!" Only when you decide not to swing is the thought changed.

I hear you ... you want the ladies to have a positive approach.

Another mental perspective I personally advocate is ... Don’t swing out of your shoes. Have the discipline to stop swinging as hard as you can.

For some hitters, I tell them to replace the mentality of hitting the ball hard, with the mentality of swinging "short". Many young hitters push the hands/bat-handle forward when they think of hitting the ball hard. Instead I want what I refer to as being 'short'. When they grasp swinging 'short' their barrel speed picks up and they hit the ball hard ... but the focus is more on being 'short' than on hitting the ball hard. Hitting 'short' is also more of a 'barreling up'/'getting behind the ball' mentality.
 
Aug 20, 2017
1,474
113
Hey 5, when I talk sequence I’m referring to working from the ground up (tension in legs at foot plant, front hip begin to work rearward, back knee pinches forward, all while upper body is still resisting). Is this what you consider good sequence ?
 

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