Posted by: Teacherman () on Tue Nov 18 11:53:39 2003

While coaching both younger and older players I have found one hitting problem that is very difficult to correct. Pulling off the ball with the front side while swinging seems to plague players of all abilities. I have had some sucess at having the players wait and go to the opposite field or up the middle but they have real dificulty when trying to pull middle-in pitches.It doesn't seem to matter if the players are rotation or linear hitters.Anyone have any advise? Thanks
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> Ron

This topic is of particular interest to me. I've suffered from it most of my life. One newly discovered thing in MY swing that helps is to get the weight back prior to rotation. I discovered the idea while watching Jim Edmonds swings in details. He is a no-strider. He has a front knee and hip cock that is accomplished as he shifts weight back. Then, as he launches the swing there is better separation between the lower and upper halves. The lack of separation, IMHO, is one of the causes of pulling off. When the hips and shoulders rotate together from the beginning of launch, the pulling off problem is automatic.