Posted by: The Hitting Guru () on Wed Oct 11 17:16:06 2006

> > > > > When I was watching the Yankee game verse the Tigers on Saturday, when Craig Monroe hit a home run in the 2nd inning, the commentators were talking about Monroe's back foot when he hit the Home Run. They were saying how it came off the ground when he hit it. They were also saying that that was something the Detroit Tigers hitting coaches taught. How do you teach how to get that back foot off the ground?? I have been trying to get this for a long time now. And as I have always said, I think that makes the difference between a good hitter and a great hitter.
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> > > > For the most part, getting the back foot off the ground is a by product of taking a long stride.
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> > > Hitting Guru
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> > > Getting the back foot off the ground is not because of a long stride. Chipper Jones takes a short stride and still gets his back foot off the ground.
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> > > Getting the back foot off the ground is directly related to the amount of hip drive that you generate in the swing. It also allows the hips to turn faster and when done correctly the hips do not 'spin out'.
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> > > A drill to help you achieve this is to put your back foot on a small step 3-5 inches high. Take your swing and get your foot off the step before you hit the ball. Your back foot should stay on a straight line parallel to the batters box while the heel points to the sky. If the back foot goes closer to the plate then your hips are spinning out. If you have questions please email me.
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> > > Dave P
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> > Dave P. No offense, but I choose to disagree. Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Gary Sheffield, and Frank Thomas are examples of hitters whose back foot comes of the ground. I would also add that each player takes somewhat of a long stride. I will say that each hitter has a significant forward shift of the weight and uses additional linear movement to finish off the swing.
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> Guru
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> I was watching Pujlos on video the other day and noticed that his back foot is also off the ground when he hits the ball and he takes no stride. But I am confused on what you disagree with in my past post? Please enlighten me.
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> Dave P

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Dave P. After having time to digest your post, I would conclude this way. What you say with regard to the amount of hip thrust plays a part in the foot coming off the ground. But I feel that the back foot coming of the ground has more to do with the batter being either slightly fooled by the pitch, over shifting his weight forward due to an extremely hard swing and or a long stride. In addition a player trying to reach a pitch and or swing at a low pitch in other instances plays a part in the back foot coming off the ground. Hitters who maintain better balance throughout the swing are less likely to have the back foot come off the ground.