Posted by: Coach C () on Mon Dec 15 20:09:50 2003

> http://www.youthbaseballcoaching.com/swings.html
> > > >
> > > > Jack,
> > > >
> > > > Do you see this swing differently than I? I see the entire foot coming down together. I do not see emphasis on the ball of the foot at all. His hip rotation is explosive because the lead hip-socket has locked at foot plant. Do you agree? Look it how at finish he's on the heel.
> > > >
> > > > Thing of beauty isn't it.
> > > >
> > > > Coach C
> > >
> > > Yes. And I also see the toe coming down first in Bonds #2. And, I have other clips of Bonds where the toe comes down first. So what does it all mean?
> > >
> > > Is it a timing mechanism? Did he realize he didn't have time for toe touch then heel drop so he dropped the entire foot down?
> >
> > It means teaching ball of foot is not helping the hitter, when the sole purpose of the lead foot is to control balance. For every toe first guy you see, I'll show you one with the heel and toe down together. That's the point being made.
> >
> > Dropping the heel is not a timing mechanism...pitch recognition is. There is no time for anything else, the swing is always on auto-pilot, never mechanical. Get the upper half right, see the ball correctly and BAM,,you get Bonds clip#4.
> >
> > Coach C
>
> The drop from toe to heel is absolutely involved in timing. Especially on offspeed recognition.

You sway then! No power and weak on outside/inside pitches. See it all the time at the Jr. College and High School level. I'm working the kinks out right now with a triple AAA player for the Phillies, who came to me seeking more power.....he sways also and saves his hips by landing on the the lead toe. Your eye's are deceiving you.

Best swing I ever saw from a kid comes from a kid that hits on his heels, if you can believe that. He gets more power from that small frame then you can imagine. 12 years old, Weighs about 110 lbs and hits the ball over the 280 fence for fun at batting practice.

Believe what you want.....I do!

Coach C