Posted by: Jack Mankin (Batspeed@verizon.net) on Mon Jan 7 12:37:28 2013

In this "Fastpitch Softball Hitting" post, we will address the linear batting drills that promote "Pop Your Hips" but, "Keep your shoulder in-there."
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Hi All

I think we all agree that hitting drills that promote 'hip rotation' is an essential element of teaching good swing mechanics. Hip rotation imitates and adds power to the swing. But what about 'shoulder rotation'?

How many coaches have you heard portray shoulder rotation as 'essential'? Probably few if any, most batting authorities portrayed it in mostly negative terms. - Most coaches contend that shoulder rotation leads to the batter "pulling off" or "hitting around" the ball to name a few concerns.

These negative connotations associated with the rotation of the shoulders has led coaches to teach the theory that the batter should "hit with the hips" -- but, should "keep the shoulder in-there."

This thinking led to the "X-Factor" seperation concept. This concept contends that, the greater the 'separation' between hip rotation and the opening of the shoulders, the greater the bat speed produced. Some coaches promote drills that have the batter's hips fully rotated open before the shoulders open. -- I would like to explain why I consider these drills have a negative impact on bat speed generation.

The Key to overcoming the bat's inertia and accelerating it to its maximum angular velocity, is to 'stay connected' to the large muscle groups of the legs, hips and torso. -- But note that the bat's linkage (arms, wrist and hands) to these large muscles is connected at the shoulders - not down at the hips.

So yes, hip rotation drills are very important. Hip rotation can help produce a powerful shoulder rotation. However, if the batter just pops the hips open but does not engage the muscles of the torso. In other words "keep their shoulder in-there" -- there is no way for the energy generated from hip rotation to be transferred up and out to the bat.

With that in mind, let us take a look at some of the better F/P hitters and see -- how much separation they have between their initiation of hip and shoulder rotation.

Shoulder Rotation of 4 Good Hitters

To stay connected to the large muscle groups, the batter must initiate the swing with shoulder rotation and continue its rotation all the way to contact.

An important point to take from these videos is; - The rotation of the body is the engine that supplies power for the swing - but of what use is a 1000 hp engine - if the transmission slips? How much of the body's rotational energy is transferred into bat speed depends on the efficiency of the batter's transfer mechanics.

In our instructional video, "The Final Arc ll" we explain the forces acting on the bat that induces its' acceleration around the swing plane. Then, we show the swing mechanics and drills that most efficiently supply those forces.

Note: Below are links to the “Linear - Do's & Don'ts" hitting concepts we address in this “Fastpitch Hitting Series.”
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Linear "Do's & Don'ts"

* Introduction – Why This Fastpitch Series?

* "Weight Shift" -- Don't "Spin"

* "Pop Your Hips" - but - "Keep Your Shoulder In-There"
* High Back Elbow – Good or Bad?

* "Don't Cast" -- "Keep Your Hands In-side The Ball"

* ”Get Your Arms Extended”

* "Swing Down" -- "Keep The Bat-Head Above The Ball"

* "Rise Ball" "Don't Hit Around The Ball" "Swing Through The Ball"
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I will make the links above live as soon as they are available

Jack Mankin
Batspeed.com