Posted by: Major Dan (markj89@charter.net) on Wed Sep 26 15:13:42 2001

>>> ARE THEIR ANY METHODS TO KEEP MY SON FROM PULLING HIS HEAD OFF THE BALL WHEN HITTIN. HE HAS A GOOD SWING AND A VERY QUICK BAT BUT PULLING HIS HEAD MAKES FOR ;ESS THAN DESIREABLE RESULTS, THANKS <<<
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> > Hi Ron
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> > Welcome to the site. – I would suggest that before you have your son change his mechanics, videotape his swing from the direction of the pitcher’s mound and make sure he is indeed pulling his head out before contact. --- Read the article, "You're Pulling Your Head Off The Ball". It may add a different perspective for you to consider.
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> > Jack Mankin
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> Ron,
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> The idea of pulling your head out is a common mistake coaches make. This comes from the perception that during the follow through the batter is facing the general directon of the pitcher.
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> It is almost impossible for a batter to "pull his head out." Remember the batter starts out facing the pitcher or "out." As he tracks the ball to the hitting area he turns his head "in." To pull his head out the batter must turn his head toward the plate then back to the pitcher before the bat gets to the contact area. Does the term "whiplash" mean anything to you?
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> This is an error of perception. This causes the coach to tell the hitter "keep your head in." This may not be good advice. But often if one mistates the problem they will develope the wrong solution.
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> Too often the batter does not follow the ball all the way to the hitting area and does not turn his head "in." If this is true, the problem is not that he is pulling his head out. His head was never in.
> Telling a batter to keep his head in will not be a solution.
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> Try this, stand behing the pitcher. It must live pitching because too many hitters swing different against live pitching then they do against a machine. When your hitter is in his stance you can see his full face. If he turns his head to follow the ball you will not see his full face. If you can see his full face all through the swing then you have it.
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> Or, try this. Place a piece of tape vertically down the center of the back of his helmet. Any brighlty colored tape will do. But it should be about 1/2 inch wide and around three inches long. From behind watch that peices of tape. If he turns his head it should move two or three inches. If not, then he is not turning his head.
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> In most cases the head was never in, it stayed out.
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> I think it is more likely that he is not pulling his head out. It was never "in."
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> Joe A.
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Often what is called 'pulling the head out' is really a recognition and misdiagnosis of the shoulders opening too early. Seeing a hitter miss an outside pitch as the bat swings toward third base (right handed) and the head ends up looking somewhere above and foul of the foul pole, can lead one to think the head has pulled out early.
In fact the entire upper body is well ahead of itself. Thus the 'keep the front shoulder in' cue.
And that is really a sequencing error - shoulders ahead of hips.
This may apply in this particular case, maybe not.