Bat Speed -- Baseball Hitting Forum

Posted by: Dylan (legendarywiffler@aol.com) on Mon May 8 10:02:10 2006

> Jack et al:
>
> I am a year-long advocate of rotational swinging since we bought "The Final Arc II" and have praised both to many Little League parents.
>
> Here's something I'd like opinions on:
>
> John Elliot states in the DVD that it's crucial to rotate the front foot during the swing, to facilitate hip rotation. If the foot doesn't rotate on its ball, the hips can't fully open and you either lose batspeed or (I think) may even go linear at the end of the swing.
>
> That makes sense to me, no question. If I swing the bat with closed front foot, it feels awkward compared to the flow of front foot rotation.
>
> However, my son received instruction at a well-known national baseball training facility, and they've instructed him to keep the front foot closed. I asked the instructor about this, and he said rotating the front foot bled off power at the last instant, which I'm not too sure I'm buying, right now.
>
> This philosophy is shared by another popular online hitting website, where they seem to encourage a non-rotated front foot.
>
> So: WHY would you want to keep the front foot closed vs rotated? Does rotating the front foot really reduce hitting energy at end of swing? Jack, what was your experience in batspeed & front foot rotation vs stationary positioning?
>
> My only other comment is that the foot rotation idea doesn't extend to golf, as you keep the front foot closed during the swing. Not that my own golf game is indicative of anything concerning superior clubhead speed or driving results, haha.
>
> Comments, rebuttals, homespun advice and personal experiences are all welcome!
>
> Thanks,
>
> - sjd -
> (email is above username at cogeco.ca website)

Yeah, thats what the local college where I live teaches too. While I have shown them many pictures of many major league players with their foot open.

Check it out at youthbaseballcoaching.com/swings. All of them clearly rotate on their front foot. One of Bonds' swings have him just spinning on the front heel.

If rotating on the front foot is wrong, then why do the MLB players do it?

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> > Jack et al:
> > 
> > I am a year-long advocate of rotational swinging since we bought "The Final Arc II" and have praised both to many Little League parents.
> > 
> > Here's something I'd like opinions on:
> > 
> > John Elliot states in the DVD that it's crucial to rotate the front foot during the swing, to facilitate hip rotation. If the foot doesn't rotate on its ball, the hips can't fully open and you either lose batspeed or (I think) may even go linear at the end of the swing.
> > 
> > That makes sense to me, no question. If I swing the bat with closed front foot, it feels awkward compared to the flow of front foot rotation.
> > 
> > However, my son received instruction at a well-known national baseball training facility, and they've instructed him to keep the front foot closed. I asked the instructor about this, and he said rotating the front foot bled off power at the last instant, which I'm not too sure I'm buying, right now.
> > 
> > This philosophy is shared by another popular online hitting website, where they seem to encourage a non-rotated front foot.
> > 
> > So:  WHY would you want to keep the front foot closed vs rotated? Does rotating the front foot really reduce hitting energy at end of swing? Jack, what was your experience in batspeed & front foot rotation vs stationary positioning?
> > 
> > My only other comment is that the foot rotation idea doesn't extend to golf, as you keep the front foot closed during the swing. Not that my own golf game is indicative of anything concerning superior clubhead speed or driving results, haha.
> > 
> > Comments, rebuttals, homespun advice and personal experiences are all welcome!
> > 
> > Thanks,
> > 
> > - sjd - 
> > (email is above username at cogeco.ca website)
> 
> 
> Yeah, thats what the local college where I live teaches too.  While I have shown them many pictures of many major league players with their foot open. 
> 
> Check it out at youthbaseballcoaching.com/swings.  All of them clearly rotate on their front foot.  One of Bonds' swings have him just spinning on the front heel.  
> 
> If rotating on the front foot is wrong, then why do the MLB players do it?

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