Shoulder angle at contact

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Feb 13, 2018
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Does anyone have examples of proper shoulder angle at contact vs. someone who is dropping their shoulder to much resulting in pop ups? Is it always in shoulders or is that just a result of something else going wrong in the swing sequence?
 
Dec 11, 2010
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6B077D5D-6D8C-4C09-AEB7-AAA16605A3AC.jpg924CDC67-9980-44E4-A433-364703A2AABA.jpg

https://twitter.com/gacki66/status/1105869002423836673?s=21

Click on the twitter link. Dude is snarky but 100% right.

In the simplest terms: Picture the path of the pitch. Then picture the barrel path of the bat in the photos.

Pop ups are caused by things like “swing down on the ball so you don’t pop it up” and “swing level” and in my opinion most of the time it’s from the hitter not being on time.

Don’t worry about hitters dropping their shoulders. Don’t worry about pop ups. Worry about ground balls. Pitch them balls, tell them to hit it as hard as they can over the center fielder. Next time, tell them great job, hit it harder. Then let the rest take care of itself.

In the mean time, check out coachjsoriano on Instagram. Read the hitting forums here. Enjoy the ride!
 
Last edited:

rdbass

It wasn't me.
Jun 5, 2010
9,131
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Not here.
someone who is dropping their shoulder to much resulting in pop ups?
It's not whether the hitter is dropping their back shoulder to much. It's more so when the back shoulder is dropping.
Good hitters drop the back shoulder.
Poor hitters drop the back shoulder.

What is the difference?

Good hitters' drop DRIVES their swing.
Poor hitters' drop then swing.

Good hitters' barrel speed is DURING THE DROP.
Poor hitters' barrel speed is AFTER THE DROP.

Good hitters drive DOWN to the ball....upon which their barrel turns up.
Poor hitters drop then drive UP THROUGH the ball.
 
Aug 20, 2017
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It's not whether the hitter is dropping their back shoulder to much. It's more so when the back shoulder is dropping.

Attack from under the ball. Hit it over the lake that is the infield dirt. Bring infielders in during BP and tell hitters to hit it over them
 
Jun 8, 2016
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As rdbass stated, if your kid is striding out with her back shoulder dropped already that is probably a/the problem. Make sure they are using their upper back correctly in their load to get into an attack position as they stride out (front shoulder slightly down and in).
 
Jun 10, 2010
554
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midwest
As rdbass stated, if your kid is striding out with her back shoulder dropped already that is probably a/the problem. Make sure they are using their upper back correctly in their load to get into an attack position as they stride out (front shoulder slightly down and in).

Could you elaborate on the bold? upper back correctly? TY
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
Could you elaborate on the bold? upper back correctly? TY

jkG7HqO.gif


Watch how as Trout is moving out it looks like is trying to elbow somebody behind him with his rear elbow. It is
sometimes call a pullback. Also sometimes a young hitter will get their shoulders turned upside down on their negative move
(front shoulder above back shoulder) and this puts them in a bad position to start their move out. Trout here starts with his shoulder
down and in and maintains that through his negative move.
 
Last edited:
Jun 10, 2010
554
28
midwest
jkG7HqO.gif


Watch how as Trout is moving out it looks like is trying to elbow somebody behind him with his rear elbow. It is
sometimes call a pullback. Also sometimes a young hitter will get their shoulders turned upside down on their negative move
(front shoulder above back shoulder) and this puts them in a bad position to start their move out. Trout here starts with his shoulder
down and in and maintains that through his negative move.

Meant to get back to this but..got busy.

TY Pattar...I see what your saying ...just wasn't sure with the usage of "back".

To OP (ambern11)...do you understand the role the torso plays in keeping the front shoulder down/rear up till launch?
 

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