Cabrera Launch Position

[FP26]

Just so we are clear, I am in no way saying full extension before contact, what had been suggested to me is that you want to attempt to hit the ball as long as possible on the same plane of the pitched ball. Maybe my definition of extension is not the same as yours but when I look at clips of say Cabreras, his hands are closer to his body before POC but when he hits the ball and right after he sure looks as though he has some extension. Maybe it is the degree of extension that we disagree?

Extension depends on a number of variables, including the person's definition of extension. I look at "extension" and "full extension" as two different things. "Full extension" is what people used to refer to as the power v. In my opinion, this does not happen until a few frames after contact. I have heard/read that some people believe this should occur at contact, or as close to contact as possible. You stated clearly that you do not believe in this, so we are at least on the same page there.

I also view "extension" as the distance between the hands and the body. I believe this is used to adjust to pitch location. The gif of Crystl Bustos shows that her hands are more "extended" from her body when working on the outside pitch drill. But she is not at full extension.

One gif that I have been watching repeatedly was that of RDBass in post #12. I have watched this clip at least 100 times and I am still trying to figure out exactly what is going on. But I am not an expert. As best as I can tell, he was fooled on this particular pitch. At least a little. It looks to me like he is out in front of the ball and it appears that contact occurs close to the end of the bat. I believe he is more fully extended at contact on this particular swing than he intends to be, but that is because of being fooled a little. I don't think this particular gif represents one of Cabrera's better POCs.

In summary, I do not believe that full extension at contact is a good thing. I believe this occurs well after contact. But, I do believe that as part of "adjustability", the hands can and should be closer to or further away from the body depending on pitch location.

Edit - If I would have taken the time to read Crankermo's post #11 I could have avoided watching the gif in post #12 100+ times Sorry for repeating something that was already said. On the bright side, I am glad that my conclusion was not in opposition to Crankermo's. Lesson learned on my part...

 

[FP26]

It's based on what he feels. If he feels as though it was solid contact, he lets go. If not, he holds on.

This shows what it takes to be a truly elite hitter. The thought of making that type of decision that quickly blows my mind!

 

[Howe]

Check out the great extension at impact and the way he maintains this extension, so he doesn't lose bat speed. Classic rotational mechanics.

So many are getting bent out of shape over this statement?

In regards to this swing?

Great hitters are always looking to get extended. They don't stop to make contact... Sheesh!

 

[crankermo]

Howe,

It's not the statement that people are in a uproar about, it's how he manipulates the actions this particular gif to prove his extremely FLAWED theory is in fact right. I stated from the start that this is a timing issue that Miggy does what what great hitters do, keep the barrel in the zone as long as possible.

Petricca is trying to sell a bill of false goods and is doing serious damage to any kid or parents that believes his crap. Go read his PATHETIC blog yourself

 

[FiveFrameSwing]

Question, can't the act of trying to get extension a full extension help with good mechanics BEFORE point of contac especially considering that the action from just before POC, at POC, and right after POC happens in milliseconds? I know of at least one D1 program that encourages a full extension after contact.

With my DD, she has a tendency to pull her front shoulder early and pulls a lot of pitches. Her hitting coach has tried to have her get some more extension to help her fix his flaw in her swing mechanics.

The answer to your question is ..... 'yes'.

 

[rdbass]

Sorry not Cabrera but, Pujols:

 

[rdbass]

Question, can't the act of trying to get extension a full extension help with good mechanics BEFORE point of contac especially considering that the action from just before POC, at POC, and right after POC happens in milliseconds? I know of at least one D1 program that encourages a full extension after contact.

With my DD, she has a tendency to pull her front shoulder early and pulls a lot of pitches. Her hitting coach has tried to have her get some more extension to help her fix his flaw in her swing mechanics.

FFS gif shows the hitter swinging 'out from' his body 'not around'.

 

[FiveFrameSwing]

FFS gif shows the hitter swinging 'out from' his body 'not around'.

Exactly ... there is a linear like firing/release taking place against a resistance.

 

[Doug Romrell]

Sorry not Cabrera but, Pujols:

Sorry, but I think the angle this clip was taken makes the path of the pitch (and thus the swing) steeper than it actually is/was. Can someone attempt to straighten it out a bit so there's a less sharp upward swing (a bit less downward pitch)???

 

[FiveFrameSwing]

Just so we are clear, I am in no way saying full extension before contact, what had been suggested to me is that you want to attempt to hit the ball as long as possible on the same plane of the pitched ball. Maybe my definition of extension is not the same as yours but when I look at clips of say Cabreras, his hands are closer to his body before POC but when he hits the ball and right after he sure looks as though he has some extension. Maybe it is the degree of extension that we disagree?

I believe what you are suggesting is that the 'act' of extending fires/releases the wrists ... does that sound correct?