Posted by: The Hitting Guru () on Sat Jan 6 12:54:53 2007

> Hi guys,
>
> I wanted to throw this out there since there are so many discussions going on with the use of game-film. I am a huge fan of using film of hitters and the hitter that I am teaching to help aid the process of improvement, but I do think it needs to be used cautiously.
>
> Why is it that if you look at any Major League clip of a hitter many points of the swing can be analized as being "rotational", but the majority of all Major League hitters work very hard, every day, on trying to be as "linear" as possible in certain areas of the swing. If every hitter that we see on film is demonstrating what "rotational" coaches see as strictly "rotational", than wouldn't that mean that every hitter tries to execute a strictly "rotational" approach?
>
> I believe that what we teach as hitting coaches should correspond more toward "feel" in the swing and how that "feel" can get our hitters to produce results. Just because we can debate over a frame here and a frame there in a clip of a swing, doesn't mean that that
> specific hitter believes in or even practices that certain approach.
>
> I wonder if Rose always had to try to feel like he was hitting the inside half of the ball in order to hit it square? I wonder if Albert Pujols has to always try to feel like he is swinging
> straight down on top of the ball in order to have his swing plane match the flight of the pitch (then hit it nine miles)?
>
> If you watch many hitters on deck in the Big Leagues, you'll see some funky looking swings. This is because the hitter has to remind himself of a certain feel that he personally needs in order to produce the result that he wants at the plate.
>
> I've told one hitter to try to feel one sensation then another hitter to feel something totally opposite to get the same result. Each hitter feels things in his/her swing slightly differently than another. If something shows up in one frame of a certain clip on a certain pitch doesn't mean that that one specific detail needs to be taught to a hitter to try to feel. Sometimes that is the case but it depends on the hitter.
>
> Jimmy

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Jimmy. You have a point regarding the use of video, but the real caution is thinking that there is only one way to be successful. The primary function of the coach is to get results. And in getting results, the most important thing for the player is likely maintaining a positive approach and the feel (as you alluded to) a good swing. Once the hitter has the basic framework, he and the coach can make positive adjustments when necessary. Many hitters especially older ones have to make adjustments/take shortcuts in an effort to duplicate production because of a decrease in strength, quickness, better pitching, or to combat injuries.

This is not to say that one can't benefit from the best techniques. But many hitters have gotten by on physical skills and athletic ability up the point of reaching the major leagues. And at the major league level, some are just learning the best technique. As such many such players are products of quick fixes in an effort to "put food on the table".