swing,
long: A
term used to describe a swing in which the bat must travel a longer
distance from the loaded position at the top to contact. This type of
swing normally has a long radius from the longitudinal axis of the body.
Although more bat speed can be developed with a longer arc, unfortunately,
the ball does not sit on a tee and wait for us. Hitters with long swings
must start their swing early to hit the fastball. They
are often fooled by offspeed pitches, that disrupt their timing causing
them to get out on their front side too early. Once a hitter's weight
has shifted to their frontside, most of their ability to drive the ball
has been lost. Once hitters get out
on their frontside, most of their ability to drive the ball has been
lost. Factors that contribute to swing length include, a poor grip,
improper hand position, outside-in swing path, wrapping at the top,
a barred arm, casting the hands, dropping the barrel to name a few.
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to Correct a Long Swing
swing,
short: A
term used to describe a swing path in which the bat head travels a shorter
distance from its loaded position to contact. Hitters with short swings
have a shorter radius which allows the bat head to travel a shorter
distance to contact. Being able to deliver the bat head to contact in
less time allows a hitter a split second longer to see the pitch and
make a swing descision. Consequently, hitters are less likely to be
fooled and chase bad pitches. By using proper mechanical techniques,
a hitter needs to develop the maximum bat head velocity over the shortest
distance. A short swing is a must, to be an effective hitter at the
higher levels.
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swing,
looping: A
swing path in which the barrel drops below the hands. See swing, uppercut.
swing,
inside-out: A
swing path that starts with the radius formed from the longitudinal
axis to the bat head short, and progressively lengthens through contact.
This swing path mirrors the action of the hands moving straight from
the launch position near the back shoulder, away from the body to contact.
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to Develop an Inside-Out Swing
swing,
outside-in: A
swing path in which the hands start away from the body, which lengthens
the radius formed from the longitudial axis of the body to the bat head.
From this position, the hands can only pull across the ball, resulting
in a swing path that moves from outside, to inside.
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swing,
sweeping: A
swing path characterized by premature
extension or barring out of the lead arm. This results in the hands
casting, which drives the front shoulder open. Consequently, the bat
head is forced to move in a long, sweeping path to the ball. This style
of swing is naturally developed by the majority of hitters who begin
at an early age without proper coaching.
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swing,
round: See
swing, sweeping.
swing,
uppercut: A
swing path characterized by the bat moving abruptly upward through the
contact zone, resulting in the ball being lifted into the air. The barrel
drops below the hands and an upward trajectory is created. This can
be caused by gripping the bat in the palms, a high front side, a high
back elbow, low hands, or collapsing on the back side.
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to Correct Uppercutting
swing,
wood chopper: A
swing path characterized by the bat moving abruptly downward through
contact, resulting in the ball driven downward. This can be caused by overcoaching
“swinging down on the ball” or by using the top hand too early in the
swing. Starting the top hand action too early results in the barrel raising as
it comes over the top, driving the ball downward. Too much emphasis
of developing the top hand can cause this problem. Remember, not all
kids have the same problems, so not all kids need to be prescribed the
same drills. What is medicine to one may be poison to another. Sometimes
giving a kid a thought of finishing high can flatten him out through
contact and help this problem. Picture a plane coming into an aircraft
carrier for a landing. It does not come in straight down, crashing
and burning. It comes in from high to low, leveling off, able ti hit the carrier and take
off again. Remember, ideal contact is a line drive, not a ground ball!
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take:
A
term used to instruct a hitter not to swing at the pitch.
take
a strike: A
phrase used to instruct a hitter not to swing at a pitch until the umpire
has called a strike on him.
time,
movement: The
time elapsed from the beginning of a movement until the movement is
complete.
time,
reaction: The
time elapsed from the presentation of a stimulus until the movement
begins.
time,
response: The
time elapsed from the beginning of a stimulus until the movement is
complete. Reaction Time + Movement Time = Response Time
timing:
A
characteristic of rhythm. In hitting we use timing in conjunction with
hand-eye coordination. A pitcher attempts to disrupt a hitters timing
by changing speed and location.
top
hand: The
hand that is located nearer the barrel when taking a grip. The top hand
is considered by many to finish what the bottoms hand has started. It
controls the barrel of the bat during the swing.
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to Develop the Top Hand
top
hand, hanging: A
term that describes a type of hand load in which the top hand moves
closer to the pitcher. This action causes the bat head to load at the
top.
top
hand push: The
action of the top hand during the swing. Once the bottom hand pulls
or drives the knob straight to the inside of the ball, clearing the
front side of the body, the top hand begins to rapidly push the barrel
through contact. Some have characterized this action as “trying to turn
the knob around to point toward your belly button as fast as possible”.
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top
hand release: This
terms describes an action of the top hand releasing just after contact
in order for the barrel to continue moving through contact, ensuring
that complete extension occurs. This maneuver is more popular in the linear
transfer method of hitting. The purpose is to keep a hitter from pulling
off the ball, leaving the chest and head
down over the plate. Kids see a high, one-hand finish from some professional
hitters and are under the impression they are hitting primarily with
the bottom hand. Without slow motion, most people don’t see contact,
only the finish. Many young hitters don’t use the top hand enough to
control the barrel, accelerating it through impact. Consequently, they
are destined to be opposite field hitters with little power.
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