Posted by: John W. () on Mon Feb 25 18:11:06 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,
>
> Yes the weight shift back should begin as the pitcher breaks his hands. This will allow the timing of the front foot to land about when the pitch is half way to the plate. The slight inward turn of the front shoulder should naturally happen as the weight begins to shift forward to the middle from the back.
>
> So I guess it would go like this...
>
> Start balanced...Shift weight back (should generally happen when pitcher breaks his hands)...Fluently bring weight back to the middle (this is when the front foot softly lands and the very slight inward turn should happen without forcing it!)...This all flows into his swing without any large pauses.
>
> Slow controllable rythm and momentum equals build up of quality, usable batspeed through the hitting zone as well as being controlled enough to take balls out of the zone.
>
> Does this answer your questions?
>
> Good luck.
>
> Jimmy


Yes....I appreciate all of your help. We actually went to the cage tonight and experimented with the approach and it has really helped him with his timing. We have worked on his hitting for so many years but the one component we never really worked on was his rhythm...now that he is getting older and he understands the concept I am going to make sure we practice this as well. I really appreciate all of your help. Any drills that you recommend in or just batting practice?

Thanks again.