Posted by: Doug () on Sat Mar 8 17:27:58 2003

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> NOTE: Cause of the "uppercut swing".
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> Dipping of the back shoulder as the front rises is part of the mechanics of a swing with too much of an uppercut. In order to help a player rid himself of these bad habits and swing with the shoulders and arms on a more productive plain, we must first have a good understanding of what is occurring in his swing that is causing the back shoulder to dip. The looping or uppercut swing is most common when the hitter "loads up his swing" in order to hit with more power.
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> With many players, the top hand is by far the most dominant hand and he feels more powerful when the hand is lowered so that the forearm is in a more horizontal position for driving. Weaker hitters lower the forearm to horizontal much earlier in the swing than do better hitters. In the process of lowering the arm to horizontal, the whole backside drops as he positions his body to turn and extend the arms. The opening of the front side is also more of a body-positioning move rather than to generate body rotation.
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> In the process of lowering the hands to the loaded position, the palm of top hand will rotate from vertical to a horizontal (palm up) position. It is that early rolling hand action that accelerates the bat head in too much of a downward direction causing the dreaded looping or uppercut swing. --- It is also the inclination of a batter to get his body into a position to extend the top hand that promotes the tendency for the front toe to turn toward the pitcher and the hips to prematurely open.
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> I now understand what I am doing. How can I correct it? Any helpful drills/cues?
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> My coach has recommended I do a drill that reminds me of the fence drill. Sitting (or standing) with the wall behind me, I must swing forward without the back of the bat hitting the wall. To me, this sounds like the right idea in not letting my hand go horizontal too soon. Any opinions?

Henry, If you are popping up too much, you are probably lunging with your upper body. Without seeing a film of you, I can't be sure, but if you have good rotational mechanics, I doubt that you are popping up due to the back shoulder lowering too much and having a so called uppercut. I would guess that your shoulders are actually too level, which lets your head drift out front and makes you lunge and reach for the ball, which will cause a pop up almost every time on a pitch away and a jamb shot on a pitch in.
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