Posted by: Lou Campos () on Tue May 7 09:00:47 2002

I went to a clinic and they suggested that a common fault with kids (my kids are 11-12 year olds)is having a long swing. We were told that the kids should develop a compact swing and that a fence drill would accomplish this. They showed us how to teach this drill, but before I invest a lot of time in this drill I was hoping for some opinions as to how effective the drill is in overcoming the long swing. Also, any other hints as to how to develop a short swing? I don't believe everything I hear at these clinics, but this one was conducted by an ex-AAA minor leaguer, so I'm sure he's right in emphasizing a short swing.
> >
> > Thanking you in advance, Coach Rob
> Hey Rob
> Guess what, I received instructions from an ex triple AAA player also, he taught me to squash the bug and told me to do the fence drill. So I guess you know what most minor leaguers are being taught, but whatever cues work the best I say go for it. I know most people on this board will tell you how horrible the fence drill is because it straightens your hand path, but I think it has a purpose. If you do it correctly I think it results in a tighter circular hand path. It can be helpful mainly for inside pitches. IMO the fence drill prevents you from snapping your wrists too early which can cause a Jam-shot on the inside pitches. The fence drill teaches a delayed bathead release which is necessary to hit inside pitches effectively(hence bonds). Well the bottom line is that, if your kids are getting jammed up consistenly then you might want to have them work on the fence drill, if there not then just leave them alone.
> The Hitman

This is interesting. Do what ever works. Good advice, if you don't know what you are talking about.

If you want to change a mechanic it takes a lot of practice before you get results. I have read that if you want to develop a new "habit" you have to do the new thing 1,500 times the correct way.

So the suggestion is that you go through all this work teaching the kid a new movement. This may take months, if the kid is co-operative and wants to do it. So aftr months of practice and drilling you find out that that thing does not work or it was not the problem.

I can't think of a better way to destory a kids hitting and a coaches credibility. I think this is one reason some kids don't pay attention to coaches. They are "trying stuff out to see if it works."

L. Campos