Posted by: Joe A. (Mgt@AOL.com) on Thu Sep 7 17:41:01 2000

I'm a little confused about the stride.
> > > > >
> > > > > Does the knee and shoulders rotate inward first and THEN stride and bring the hands back, or is it all in one movement?
> > > >
> > > > To who ever you are,
> > > >
> > > > I will assume you are talking about some fast pitch game, baseball or fastpitch softball.
> > > >
> > > > You will find different theorys about the stride. Some want it to be separate from the swing. They recomend you do it just before or as the pitcher releases the ball. After the stride there is a short pause and the batter starts what ever cocking motion he uses. Pushing the bat back, a small turn away from the pitcher, then the hips start the move toward the ball. It varies.
> > > >
> > > > Others teach that the stride is the first part of the swing. The stride happens first followed immedately by the cocking motion. Its part of the swing. They teach this because they see many pros do it.
> > > >
> > > > If you are teaching younger kids, under 18, don't teach it this way.
> > > > The pros do it because they are stong and quick enough to do it. Most kids are not. So, teach the stride with a pause before the cocking motion.
> > > >
> > > > Make the stride short. Its only a timing mechinisim for those us use it. Actually it can do more harm then good. It adds nothing to the swing but it can cause a movement that is harmfull to good hitting. But, some kids get in the habit of doing it and its hard to break. So, if you can't keep them from doing it, limit it a minimum. Try having them pick it up and putting it back in the same place.
> > > >
> > > > Joe A.
> > > >
> > > Joe,
> > > i agree that the stride is a timing mechanism. however, it is also used to develop rhythm and tempo in the swing. Yes, there is a SLIGHT pause before rotation after the lead foot makes contact with the ground - achieving a sense of "land and go." But, i think the stride, or move to the ball, is a critical element of the swing. as i mentioned, the stride develops timing and rhythm. in addition, it allows the hitter to provide more of a collision at contact as long as the foot lands squarely with the plate and the hitter's chin stays behind the lead heel.
> > >
> > > some coaches eliminate the stride because hitters tend to either land open, drift over the front foot, etc. Instead of eliminating the stride, one may want to examine the timing of the trigger, or initiation of the weight transfer back before striding. If the hitter has a late trigger, as what we see when the hitter waits till release point, the feet speed up, tempo and rhythm are lost, and the hitter has the tendency to open up.
> > >
> > > in my honest opinion, the lead foot may be the second most important aspect of the swing - behind the importance of the hands. spend more time with hitters on staying inside the feet, landing square with the plate, and developing slow, smooth feet in the stride. chances are, they will see results.
> > >
> > > as for your opinion on what big leaguers do as opposed to amateurs, where do you draw the line on what is reserved for those in mlb. obviously they are doing something right that enables them to succeed at the highest level. wouldn't one want to emulate some of the common characteristics of the traditional big league swing? go watch a good college baseball game, or the college world series. go see a high school game where some pro and college prospects play. i guarantee the vast majority incorporate a stride.
> > >
> > > respectfully,
> > > tjs
> >
> > TJS,
> > You are correct, but at the big leg leavel, the stride is used for timing, and to get into a balanced position to hit, but is no way associated with power. Just a thought.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > BHL
> > Knight1285@aol.com
>
> BHL,
>
> thanks for the thought. i have always enjoyed them. but, i did not intend for anyone to believe that i consider the stride to be associated with "power." i do however think that it allows/helps the hitter to create a "collision" at contact. as the hitter makes a move to the ball, or stride, the lead foot stabilizes the front side and acts as resistance for the backside to work into the front. this simple explanation may be vague but i think you know what i mean. i look forward to reading your future posts.
>
> respectfully,
> tjs

tjs,

I am going to tell you something that I wouldn't normally let out on this site. You did not give an email address. Usually I send my best advice to somone who needs in via email.

You are correct that the pros move their front foot. But, they do not "stride" in the sense that they move the foot. Some dont stride, Some pick the foot up and place it back in the same place. others move the foot only an inch or two. Some keep their front foot out side and bring it back to start their swing but they do not move it foward There are exceptions, but very few. When you see somone make a big stride (six inches or more) its usually when they are badly fooled.

I draw the line between the pros/college and lower level players at the movements that requrie speed and strength. I will tell you that most pros would not teach any one what they do other then the basics for example the stride. The stride is not a strenght or speed its fundemental to a good swing. A large stride causes a an fundemental error that you will see no good hitters do at any level. What the baseball highlights and watch the batters front foot, they dont move it toward the pitcher at all

Joe A.