Posted by: The Hitting Guru () on Mon Jan 22 21:03:37 2007

> Jack or anyone else.
>
> Here are two clips of my 7 year old son's swing. I posted them on another hitting website and wanted to get this forum's opinion on what we need to work with.
>
> We have the final arc and have been working on rotational swinging for about a year now. I also coach an 8u baseball team and have been working basically with everyone on our team.
>
> My personal opinion on my son's swing is that his stride is too long and he may open up a little too soon which causes his lead arm to straighten and maybe lag behind slightly. So far what I have been told is based on these clips, that he starts hip rotation prior to foot plant and that his back arm slots too soon.
>
> Your comments are greatly appreciated. Please let me know if the clips do not show up on the links.
>
> http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1253986421432818346
>
> http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5835668345156023458
>
> Thanks,
>
> Coach Steven

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Coach Steven. In looking at your son's swing I noticed the following.

1. I like his aggresive swing in that he tries to attack the baseball.

2. He appears to have a quick swing.

3. He is stepping in the bucket (bailing out) to the pull side which is taking his contact point away from the ball and causing him to fly off the pitch.

4. His hands do not get to the point of top hand torque in the launch position.

5. He appears to use more of a weight shift approach rather than rotational turn of the upper body.

As a solution, I would have him start with his hands in more of a cocked position (Alfonso Soriano). Next I would have him start with his front knee/foot pointed slightly inward to facilitate a knee turn rather than just the leg lift. Specifically focus on him making a positive step toward the pitcher rather than bailing out. Lastly, have him practice keeping both hands on the bat. This will help him concentrate on rotating rather than casting the hands at the ball.

It may also aid him to bend slightly at the waist and actually widen his stance a bit more to facilitate a shorter stride. The shorter stride will help him contact the ball closer to the end of his swing rather than having the ball already on top of him.