Posted by: Alan () on Wed Sep 10 11:07:56 2003

I open my shoulders and hips too soon when I swing. I try to concentrate on keeping them closed but my body wont cooperate. Because of this flaw, I have trouble hitting offspeed and outside pitches. Could someone please offer me some drills or strategies to correct my swing?

Before doing anything drastic, you may want to make sure that what your hips/shoulders are doing is indeed the problem. Start by reading Jack's article about "keeping your shoulders in there" (http://www.batspeed.com/tf01.html). Then video tape your swing. If you see your hips and shoulders getting to an open position well ahead of contact, then yes, maintaining "connection" among your hips/shoulders/arms is something you will need to work on.

Alan