Posted by: Bart () on Thu Sep 5 19:00:01 2002

Can someone tell me why it is that the fence drill does not get any attention at this site? It would seem like a drill that is so compatible with rotational mechanics would get a lot of attention. Just wondering.
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> > > > > Bill,
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> > > > > The fence drill is a poor drill. To do it you have to pull the bat through the hitting area rather then push it.
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> > > > > F. J.
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> > > > Sorry, Frank, but the fence drill, used properly prevents casting and promotes rotational mechanics.
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> > >
> > >
> > > Frank, I would have to agree with Bill. There is a right way to do the fence drill that will promote rotational mechanics ( and you will PUSH the bat ). There is a wrong way of doing the fence drill that will promote linear mechanics ( you will PULL the bat).
> >
> > What do you mean by 'PULL the bat' vs 'PUSH the bat' ?
> > Exactly how do you do the fence drill correctly? I always hit the fence with my bat when my shoulders rotate into the 'pitch'. What am I doing wrong?
>
> Dilbert I have to run but the quick answer is don't get close enough to the fence that it impedes your swing.

Dilbert,many coaches instruct the hitter to have one bat length of distance between the hitter's stomach and the fence. This is definetly the wrong way. This encourages what I think Frank was alluding to: the only way to get the bat around without hitting the fence is to draw the hands in and literally thrust the hands and trailing bathead in a straight line. The bat starts arcing out way too late,and besides a poor bat angle at contact, only hands are providing any power. And I guess to some people would have the feel of this being a pulling action, not a pushing action.

The correct way to do the fence drill is to start with the one bat length of distance, plus another 10 or 12 inches or so. This way the bat can come near the fence but without restricting the bat from arcing out from the very beginning of the swing. I like the hitters to get the feel of the tip of the bat getting close to the fence & early on in the swing, because if done correctly this can help evaluate/promote the circular hand path, elbow in the slot, etc.And, I think to many hitters this will have the feel of pushing the bat. As a matter of fact, I like to use the drill in conjunction with a tire, heavy bag, etc.

By the way, I think it's important to not confuse terms like "pushing" and "pulling" with Jack's concept of initiating the swing by pulling with the bottom hand. That's an altogether different concept.

I went back to some old posts of Tom Gerry regarding the fence drill. It seems like he might not be around anymore, but I think his posts on the subject could be enlightening.