Posted by: Graylon (g_dunc@hotmail.com) on Mon Feb 25 13:56:58 2008

> > > My son is 12 and this season I have noticed that he is swinging late at everything. I think the issue is that he is beginning his stride too late and not getting his foot down in time. When should he begin his inward turn and stride? Should the stride begin as soon as the pitcher begins to release the ball or after the ball has been released. I am trying to determine the best way to teach him to develop rhythm..so he isn't late for the fastball and he is able to wait on the change / curve ball. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
> >
> > Hi john,
> >
> > In my experience, the easiest way to cover both the fastball and have enough left to stay back for offspeed has this type of rythm.
> >
> > Have him start with his weight close to equally balanced on both feet. A medium tempo type of rythm from his legs should start to shift his weight towards his back side just as the pitcher is breaking his hands as he begins his descent down the mound.
> >
> > A continuous fluent weight shift from the middle to the back side and then back to the middle should make his stride a natural and smooth action. As his weight is beginning to return to the middle this is about when the stride foot will softly be returning to the ground.
> >
> > The stride foot should softly land when the ball flight is about half way to the hitter. The whole loading action should flow fluently into the swing on a fastball, and there will be a natural slight adjustment to the rythm forward on offspeed pitches.
> >
> > I hope this helps. Any questions for me, feel free.
> >
> > Jimmy
>
> Thanks Jimmy. In your opinion how long should the stride be? So it sounds like the stride should begin as the pitcher breaks his hands and the stride is completed with foot landing when the ball is about half way home. This makes a lot of sense...and it is an approach you can apply to all pitching styles. Now when he begins the stride he should also begin completing the inward turn as well...correct?
>
> Thanks again.
>
> John


John,

Hi, I agree with Jimmy about the weight shifting back, although as to the timing is what is comfortable to you. Jimmy does give a pretty good guideline to start with.

In my swing, I don't like the weight to shift back to center as the pitch comes in, I like it to stay back. I like to load my weight in to my rear hip and as my stride foot reaches out I like to ride my back leg keeping my rear hip loaded. I feel this gives me the best oppurtunity to adjust to a variety of different speeds. I allow my hands to dictate when my weight shifts and I explode with my rear hip.

As to this question, "Now when he begins the stride he should also begin completing the inward turn as well...correct?" Yes, I do believe the inward turn is stopped, mostly because as the stride foot goes out it should be opening the lead hip which will not allow you to turn in anymore. Although the inward turn stops, the hands are moving back to the launch position.

Graylon