The Approach:
Putting it All Together
Putting it All Together
| Introduction This page focuses primarily on the role of the hands during the swing. What the hands do will determine whether or not the hitter is in control of the bat or if the bat is controlling him. It was mentioned in the "Approach Part One" page that the hands should work together with the back hip when approaching the baseball. This was to assure the hitter that his hands weren't getting ahead of the hips too soon. When this occurs, the hitter will never get squared up to the ball. It also makes it difficult to stay inside of the ball, which is discussed in the next section. |
Staying inside the ball
I mentioned before how it is important for the hitter to be in control of his bat
(specifically the barrel), on his approach to the ball. Many elements can either aid or
prohibit this bat control. The first element is where the hitters hands are going on the
initial approach. They should be targeted toward the inside part of the baseball. When
the back hip has cleared and the hitter is now squared up to the ball, the top hand will
now deliver the barrel. The barrel will now end up behind the ball with the hands
and arms in a powerful position. This is known as being squared-up to the ball. If
the top hand delivers the push action too soon, the barrel will cast away from the body
resulting in limited bat speed and power. ( See image to the right)
From this point, the hitter should try to keep this powerful position throughout the
remainder of the swing. This position is then vacated when the hitter runs out of back
arm extension. We can now roll our wrists and finish our swing above the front
shoulder.
The image to the right shows a good way to teach your hitters to set the
ball on the tee. Notice, the two seams are running up/down. Tell your
hitters to focus on the inside seam when approaching the baseball.
I mentioned before how it is important for the hitter to be in control of his bat
(specifically the barrel), on his approach to the ball. Many elements can either aid or
prohibit this bat control. The first element is where the hitters hands are going on the
initial approach. They should be targeted toward the inside part of the baseball. When
the back hip has cleared and the hitter is now squared up to the ball, the top hand will
now deliver the barrel. The barrel will now end up behind the ball with the hands
and arms in a powerful position. This is known as being squared-up to the ball. If
the top hand delivers the push action too soon, the barrel will cast away from the body
resulting in limited bat speed and power. ( See image to the right)
From this point, the hitter should try to keep this powerful position throughout the
remainder of the swing. This position is then vacated when the hitter runs out of back
arm extension. We can now roll our wrists and finish our swing above the front
shoulder.
The image to the right shows a good way to teach your hitters to set the
ball on the tee. Notice, the two seams are running up/down. Tell your
hitters to focus on the inside seam when approaching the baseball.
Swing Path
To go along with staying inside the ball, the hitter wants to make sure that his top
hand remains in the picture while the bat is on its way to the ball. The best way to be
assured is to make sure that your swing path is working down and then through the
baseball. This will allow the top hand to remain on top during the approach. This will
also help aid in taking the shortest and quickest approach to the ball. When the hips
clear and the hitter is squared up to the ball, now the top hand can push the barrel
through the zone.
If the top hand is on the bottom when the time comes to deliver the barrel, the pushing
action is eliminated. Your bottom hand is now in control and the bat will be pulled
through the zone instead. A pulling motion is slow and weak. Your top hand is your
power hand and its the one that you want distributing the barrel.
There is a good drill that I use to allow hitters to develop muscle memory in both top
and bottom hands independently. I call it the top hand/bottom hand throw drill. When
doing this drill, be sure your hitters are not using an overhand throwing motion.
Instead, they should mimicking a short/inside approach and then extending through
after the ball is released. See the video clip to the right
Visit the HITTING STORE for some great training aides to assist with reinforcing
proper approach mechanics.
To go along with staying inside the ball, the hitter wants to make sure that his top
hand remains in the picture while the bat is on its way to the ball. The best way to be
assured is to make sure that your swing path is working down and then through the
baseball. This will allow the top hand to remain on top during the approach. This will
also help aid in taking the shortest and quickest approach to the ball. When the hips
clear and the hitter is squared up to the ball, now the top hand can push the barrel
through the zone.
If the top hand is on the bottom when the time comes to deliver the barrel, the pushing
action is eliminated. Your bottom hand is now in control and the bat will be pulled
through the zone instead. A pulling motion is slow and weak. Your top hand is your
power hand and its the one that you want distributing the barrel.
There is a good drill that I use to allow hitters to develop muscle memory in both top
and bottom hands independently. I call it the top hand/bottom hand throw drill. When
doing this drill, be sure your hitters are not using an overhand throwing motion.
Instead, they should mimicking a short/inside approach and then extending through
after the ball is released. See the video clip to the right
Visit the HITTING STORE for some great training aides to assist with reinforcing
proper approach mechanics.
Hand Position at Contact
The most powerful position that your hands can be in at contact is
Palm-up/Palm-down. This means that the palm of your top hand is facing upward
(supinated), and that of your bottom hand is facing downward (pronated). This is the
hand position that you should try to keep as you extend through the ball. Do not allow
your wrists to begin rolling over until you've extended as far as you can with your top
hand.
The most powerful position that your hands can be in at contact is
Palm-up/Palm-down. This means that the palm of your top hand is facing upward
(supinated), and that of your bottom hand is facing downward (pronated). This is the
hand position that you should try to keep as you extend through the ball. Do not allow
your wrists to begin rolling over until you've extended as far as you can with your top
hand.
I had mentioned before on another page that one flaw can lead to multiple flaws. I have dedicated an entire page on this site to discuss some common flaws found in hitters. This page can be found by clicking the link below. COMMON FLAWS |
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INSIDE APPROACH
CASTING THE HANDS
BALL PLACEMENT ON TEE
| Video Clip |
