Posted by: Coach C () on Mon Jun 16 10:48:15 2003

What are the pros and cons of the door knocker grip (knuckles you knock on door lined up, prevalent in softball) vs. flat grip (opposite knuckles lined up), prevalent in baseball. I've been coaching softball for several years and the door knocker is what we have been using but I would like an analysis by the board as to what each does to the swing especially at ball contact.

In a rotational swing the knuckle position changes the time at which the hands begin there natural rolling action. Grip positions really just change the time of which the barrel begins to rotate ahead of the hands. In golf they call it releasing the club head, in baseball it's called releasing the barrel. When the barrel releases the swing is over. My advice is that they use what's comfortable, but they are releasing to early (pulling the ball too much), then flatten the grip some. The wrists should always be loose as well.



Respectfully

Coach C