Posted by: Ryan (ryan_havill@hotmail.com) on Wed Sep 15 07:30:19 2010

> > Jack,
> >
> > There so much detail to the art of swing mechanics. I've coach 5-8 year old t-ball and baseball boys and also 7-13 year olds in girl's softball (i just follow my kids up as they get older).
> >
> > First I would like to state I am more than sold on your teaching methods. I played rec softball and added amazing power to my own swing from watching your DVD videos.
> >
> > My question is what MAJOR specific fundamentals should be taught and drilled into these youngsters and embedded as involuntary movements? When we only practice 2 or 3 times a week for 2 hours at a time and have 15 kids on a team, it doesn't leave much time for all of the detail. I've found when I try and teach too much detail to these youngsters it is often information overload and nothing is retained.
> >
> > Thanks in advance
> Well as far as drills, go have him swing a bat at a telephone pole (or heavy bag) and let him know that his hands should be square and unbroken at impact. Have him think about hitting the ball inside out. What does that mean exactly? Tris Speaker used to say that "be natural" is the most important thing. So, if one looks at their hands or feet notice that you can only hold something in the hands or the ground on one side of it. This is the inside part. This is also the natural part to use. Think about it...Now have them swing inside out (the other side of the hand-opposite of what you can utilize is the outside part) This knowledge is a good starting point- knowing which side is the inside and which is the outside. This should save you some time.

Thank you very much for your response. I am still having trouble understanding the concept of hitting the ball inside out. Is there a different way of explaining it? I apologize for not being able to grasp it on your first explanation.