Posted by: grc () on Mon Mar 11 11:43:41 2002

I have a suggested drill which if done properly will teach proper hand path and position to location of pitch. Keep in mind the objective of the hands is to get the bat level to the plane of the ball.
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> Now the drill:
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> Go to a batting cage or have a partner (with a protective screen and approx. 20 - 30 feet away) do short toss directly in front of the batter. Use a slow to medium speed only. Stand in the batters box with both feet pointed to the machine/pitcher. Kneel on your inside knee and place the bat on your back shoulder. Square your shoulders comfortably to the opposite batters box. From this position THROW the hands to each pitch location. Start by hitting to the middle of the field (tunnel). After you are comfortable with this drill work opposite field hitting and you will feel the difference in top hand dragging in the swing. Go to a pull hit drive and likewise you will feel top hand dominance. Remember to change locations and feel the difference in torque on the top or lower hand. Don't be tempted to open up early. Throw your hands to the ball location. At each contact you should have an increased sensitivity of hand/bat path and location. I recommend this drill along with your "T" work before batting practice. I realize these explainatons may leave much to interpretation so please feel free to email me for clarification. Hope this helps.
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> Coach G
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> > > "I want max batspeed! However, when I swing I am unsure whether to concentrate on BOTTOM hand pulling the bat through the zone or top and bottom hand working together to torque the bat before impact."
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> > Tends to be both but depending on location it may differ. The farther the ball is away from you (low and obviously outside) I find you must use your lead arm a bit more. In those locations your back side isn't in a strong position. On the low ball, if you allow the backside too much influence--you risk rolling over early. This is because the lead arm must take a lower route to the ball and the back arm can come over it (roll) easier.
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> > When the ball is closer, I think that you must use the back side more because the front side sometimes just needs to get out of the way--and because you can't always get the lead arm extended as well to allow the lead shoulder to pull.
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> > I think the more you swing at different locations, the more you understand that at different times, one side or the other is in a more advantaged position and may carry more of the load.
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> > I know some believe that the swing is the same from all locations. I don't. I believe the actions of the lower body are more or less the same--but the upper body (such as more or less tilt) and the actions of the arms and elbows are and must be dynamic.
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coach ....sometimes the reaction at this site to terms such as "throwing the hands" can be just short of violent.....i personally will try your drill when i get a chance....in the meantime i anxiously the feedback you may get from jack, major dan and mark h .....no disrespect intended to these fine gentlemen but i think "throwing the hands" is much too "linear" for their taste.....