- Oct 6, 2015
- 13
- 3
I’ve been coaching fastpitch for 10+ years at the Rec and B Travel levels, from 6’s through 16’s. My older daughters have grown with me as my coaching style has evolved, and they are well established and very successful in their hitting disciplines. One thing I’ve been consistent on is barrel position.
My younger daughter is 8U and I’ve been having some discussions with some of the younger dad coaches about bat position, specifically barrel straight up, or barrel down. I am a “barrel down” coach, they say “barrel up.” They don’t know why and can give reason other than “it’s what I did when I played ball.”
I teach bat on shoulder, lift hands up, knob to catcher. Most of my 16U’s who approach barrel up consistently swing under everything. My theory has always been, the more you have to move the barrel onto plain, the more likely for barrel drop on the back end, especially younger
I’m just wondering if there are any theories or explanations for a barrel up approach, advantages/disadvantages, etc. I’ve seen some higher level coaches go both ways, just never given an explanation. My younger 8U players who have a barrel up will always golf. My 8yo who I teach barrel down, always hits beautiful line drives.
Just something that’s been on my mind and thought I’d come here for some perspective and experience. Thanks all!
My younger daughter is 8U and I’ve been having some discussions with some of the younger dad coaches about bat position, specifically barrel straight up, or barrel down. I am a “barrel down” coach, they say “barrel up.” They don’t know why and can give reason other than “it’s what I did when I played ball.”
I teach bat on shoulder, lift hands up, knob to catcher. Most of my 16U’s who approach barrel up consistently swing under everything. My theory has always been, the more you have to move the barrel onto plain, the more likely for barrel drop on the back end, especially younger
I’m just wondering if there are any theories or explanations for a barrel up approach, advantages/disadvantages, etc. I’ve seen some higher level coaches go both ways, just never given an explanation. My younger 8U players who have a barrel up will always golf. My 8yo who I teach barrel down, always hits beautiful line drives.
Just something that’s been on my mind and thought I’d come here for some perspective and experience. Thanks all!
