Posted by: Coach C () on Wed Aug 27 17:37:37 2003

Jack I have seen on the message board that the swing is a slight upercut by the great hitters. I was always taught to focus on the top half of the ball. What do the great hitters focus on when rotating to the ball ? I hope you don't say I see the ball I hit the ball. 90% of the young hitters I have worked with when they swing and miss are under the ball, I have always told them to focus on the top half and it seems to resolve the problem. I guess I am struggling on what to tell those same kids that appear to be under it but yet they are suppose to be swinging up at it.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I will be in the minority here, but the first move for me is to start down to the ball then, as the the back shoulder begins to dip the bat will begin to level off and then upswing. From my experience most kids have trouble slotting the rear elbow and because of that the bat drops below forearm level at impact. Essentially they drag the bat. I think Gary Sheffield does a wonderful job of slotting the rear elbow, whil maintaining a flat swing. Yes he has a very slight upswing, but he is not trying to swing up.....he swings down.
> > > > I don't believe in trying to swing up, but that's what people see so they teach it. Pujols is another that starts down to the ball, but levels off at contact and finishes high.
> > > >
> > > > Respectfully,
> > > >
> > > > Coach C
> > >
> > > When does the swing start?
> >
> > Depends on who you ask? For me it's when the hands hitch down an inch or two and pull in to my rear shoulder. It's put's my swing in motion. I think Jack refers to it as top-hand torque or pulling the top hand back to the catcher. Never thought of it that way, but it's not inaccurate.
> >
> > Coach C
>
> Although I could be accused of spitting hairs, does the swing start anytime before the point from which you can't stop?
>
> Example: Check swings. Many of them have all the preswing movements completed including elbow slotting, shoulder dipped, top hand torqued (if it exists) and even some hip and shoulder rotation. Yet they were able to check their swings successfully.
>
> Therefore, I don't thing I agree with the swing starting with the bat lowering, elbow slotting etc etc. Therefore, I don't believe there is any downward bat movement in the swing.
>
> I've heard an "opening the jar" analogy before on a pitching web site. That being the sudden opening or exploding of the hips, shoulders, etc. To me, the swing doesn't start until the jar opens. Everything before is preswing, timing movements.

I think expolding movements are exactly what destroy a good swing. In fact the last thing I want to feel in my swing is that I'm quick. One could argue that preswing movements and timing is all that matters in a baseball swing. I once heard a laddy from Great Britain say (as it relates to golf), "There is no speed in the forward swing." This means we should not be trying to hit harder as we get nearer the ball. I believe this applies in baseball as well. My preswing movement and timing is the swing, the rest I can't control, due to lack of time. If I try to control it the hands will try to take over. Check swings in my mind are the hands putting the breaks on (regaining control)a forward swing that has not been controlled.

If expoding hips, exploding shoulders, exploding hands, expolding swings were the key then why doesn't everyone get it. The majority of people with swing issues need to experiment and try something different. There is no speed in the forward swing. It's an image I think more should have. Your thoughts?

Respectfully,

Coach C