Posted by: Pro_Hitter (andygreen29@hotmail.com) on Mon Nov 3 10:08:00 2003

Coach C,

I just wanted to tell you that I was thoroughly impressed with your son's swing (your's as well, I guess :)) He has a great shoulder angle at contact which means his elbow is dropping into the slot with relative ease. Just wanted to commend him and tell him to keep up the good work. You keep swinging it too!

andy

Well, with the help of Nick, I've been able to put some of my swings on the site. I've included some of my 11 year old son's swings as well.
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> > > The 11-02-03 clip was done with the intent on taking my head down to the ball, meaning I had to use my legs to get down....this helps me stay behing the ball better and feel more connected with the ground (you'll notice the rear heal just turns up).
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> > > The L 10-29 clip is me from the left side, with what I term as "lazy legs", meaning there is no attempt for me to get my head on plane with the ball, so the rear heal and weight shift is more pronounced. It is my belief that most of us are more comfortable this way, and just like everyone else...sometimes I just want to take swings with very little stress on the lower half (Too much work).
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> > > The R 10-16 clip is again done with "lazy legs", but from the right side. I've included the clip to point out the amount of rear foot lift when I don't get my head down to the ball.....as opposed to the 11-02-03 clip.
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> > > These are just cage swings, but I wanted to post something.
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> > > My Son is doing very well for his age and although he still needs to get stronger in certain areas, Dad is allowing him to move at his own pace. Some key terminology that he has responded to is "feel the ball deep in your swing" and "don't try for extension". He hits the ball to all fields and rarely strike's out. His biggest problem is not allowing himself to come out of his comfort zone at the plate. Thus the idea of swinging and missing really bothers him. He plays travel ball a year young, so he's normally the smallest player on the field. He's definity better than Dad was at that age, so I don't push him too much.
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> > > I do not think my swing is perfect, not do I feel that my Son's is, but we both love to hit and making square contact is our motivation.
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> > > Here is the website...... http://webpages.charter.net/nickkio/Coach/
> > >
> > > Thanks Nick!!!!!
> >
> > I hit the post button too soon. I'd like to ask you to add your verbal description to the video we can now see. Example frames 1 -5 I see this. 10-15 this. 16-20 I'm making sure this. Etc etc.
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> > >
>
> Thanks Teacherman....I'll try and give a break down on my own swing as I get time. As for my Son, I think we are different in many respects. First off....his upswing is more pronounced. Second....his top hand is much more passive then mine. Third...he his much lighter on his front foot at foot landing, thus he has a tighter hip turn (almost spinning at times). We currently are addressing the idea of getting the head down with the ball, to have him feel his legs more, but I think he understands that we don't have to go get balls, they come to us. In fact he may be better at that then me, but I'm much more agressive by nature (part of the problem). As for THT, I'm not sure either me or my Son portray it and it's something we don't talk about. However, maybe someday we both will....I still don't understand it fully.....it makes me feel long in my swing and my internal timing is drastically thrown off when I try to incorporate it. The best description I can give you on my swing at this time is this. My lower body positions itself for an upperbody swing. Pointed toe at foot landing, back knee turn, rear heel rise, all are caused by the torso turn. Thus I've rarely taken a swing out of balance. I know this sounds crazy, but balance is all I've ever considered critical in the baseball swing. This may explain why I didn't drive the ball in high school and college, but I will tell you...........I was punch an judy back then, so today I believe things would be different. I'll address your request when I get more time.
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> Thanks,
>
> coach C