Dipping Shoulder

[Tricko]

Daughter is a solid hitter, but has a bad habit of dipping her shoulder in game conditions. During cage hitting or drills she's fantastic, but when she's keyed up in a game the shoulder drops.

Are there any drills that specifically address the shoulder? .. Training Aids?

Thanks.

 

[Chris O'Leary]

Daughter is a solid hitter, but has a bad habit of dipping her shoulder in game conditions. During cage hitting or drills she's fantastic, but when she's keyed up in a game the shoulder drops.

Are there any drills that specifically address the shoulder? .. Training Aids?

Why do you think this is bad?

In most cases, this is how you adjust to hit pitches down in the strike zone.

It sounds like she isn't seeing low pitches off of the tee or in the cage, which is why you don't see this then.

Also, how is she hitting in games?

 

[lhowser]

Take a look again at her swing in games if you have it on tape. Are you certain it is the shoulder that is the problem?

Watch the back elbow...is it tucking in past perpendicular to the ground. This can create a barrel dump and the appearence of a back shoulder problem. It will also create bat drag.

She winds up under the ball with the barrel and a little late. Is this at all what is happening?

 

[Tricko]

Good Point

Why do you think this is bad?

In most cases, this is how you adjust to hit pitches down in the strike zone.

It sounds like she isn't seeing low pitches off of the tee or in the cage, which is why you don't see this then.

Also, how is she hitting in games?

Good point on the cage and tee, we're not working specifically on the bottom of the zone. She's hitting .385, but probably half the hits are "miss-hits" that are dropping. I'm concerned because the bats coming off plane towards the end of the swing. She's hit some 260' bombs, but she's also popping up to the outfield on many of the outs.

 

[Tricko]

You hit it right on the head as far as the results. So you're saying as she's starting her swing the back elbow is coming forward to quickly?

A little off topic, but is there a site that has videos of great swings?

 

[cshilt]

A little off topic, but is there a site that has videos of great swings?

You don't need to go far. There is a thread here with a lot of swing clips:

http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-hitting-technical/2785-model-swings.html

 

[softballphreak]

Sounds like she's swinging for the fence. Not a bad thing. I would have her swing off a high tee (about arm pit level) to help eliminate the uppercut effect. A good indicator if she's uppercutting will be having difficulty hitting line drives off the high tee. It's even better when using high tee for her to hit long tee outfield rather than into a net. Lots of swings!

 

[lhowser]

A little off topic, but is there a site that has videos of great swings?

The Model Swings Thread is perfect.

Then Check out Chris O Leary's explanation of bat drag from his website. Doubtful that your daughters is this bad but try it yourself and watch the barrel as your rear elbow sucks in. I haven't seen her but this is a possibility.

 

[Wellphyt]

Daughter is a solid hitter, but has a bad habit of dipping her shoulder in game conditions. During cage hitting or drills she's fantastic, but when she's keyed up in a game the shoulder drops.

Are there any drills that specifically address the shoulder? .. Training Aids?

Thanks.

Are you sure it's the shoulder? A swing flaw that I am seeing more and more of are players who tilt their shoulders to get on plane, plus they drop their hands at swing initiation. Basically they are getting on plane twice; once with their hands and once with their shoulders. The combination makes for a very steep swing plane.

I am working with one girl now who is doing this. I have her hitting off a high tee. Plus I've told her to "raise her sights" (to borrow a phrase from Ted) and to start her swing with the thought of the pitch being at the letters.

 

[ifubuildit]

Sounds like she's swinging for the fence. Not a bad thing. I would have her swing off a high tee (about arm pit level) to help eliminate the uppercut effect. A good indicator if she's uppercutting will be having difficulty hitting line drives off the high tee. It's even better when using high tee for her to hit long tee outfield rather than into a net. Lots of swings!

What would you hope to accomplish with this method of instruction? If she is popping the ball up because of a swing flaw with the back elbow you can do this till your blue in the face and she will still pop the ball up. If your teaching someone to hit a rise ball I might agree.