Hitting and Hitters Discussion Hitting help...

default

Member

• May 11, 2010

• #1

Was hoping some fellow OFC'ers could offer some hitting help for my son. He is 17 and has always been a strong hitter. For some reason he has picked up a habit where instead of stepping into the ball when hitting, he is taking a step back with his left leg (right handed batter). In case I am not making sense, when he starts to swing, he steps with his left foot back like he is going to step out of the box to look at the 3rd base coach. It's driving me and him crazy. He knows he is doing it, but cannot seem to find a way to fix it. We have done some tee drills to no avail. Any drills or any devices we can use to get him back into swinging like he should? I know some folks here have to have some good ideas. Thanks!

 

default

Member

• May 11, 2010

• #2

I have seen hitters step back early, then step out when the pitch comes.

I made a angled piece of wood. 1/4 inch to 1 inch say 45 degree angle on a board.

Slide the angle under the back foot at set up. When they load the inside of the back leg and pick up the front they fall forwards.

THey have no choice. Might try something like that just for the feeling it gives the hitter.



Straightleg

 

default

Member

• May 11, 2010

• #3

According to the old timers, he is "stepping in the bucket"

 

default

Member

• May 11, 2010

• #4

straightleg said:

I have seen hitters step back early, then step out when the pitch comes.

I made a angled piece of wood. 1/4 inch to 1 inch say 45 degree angle on a board.

Slide the angle under the back foot at set up. When they load the inside of the back leg and pick up the front they fall forwards.

THey have no choice. Might try something like that just for the feeling it gives the hitter.



Straightleg

Click to expand...

Are you talking about placing the wedge under the heel, or on the outside edge (pinky toe side) of the back foot?

 

default

Member

• May 11, 2010

• #5

try the stike zone with carlos rodrigez in canal winchester he is the best and is miniutes gets to the point quick with no wasted money:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:

 

default

Member

• May 11, 2010

• #6

One method of helping this to eliminate the stepping into the ball. Put him into his stance where he is already in his stride position. As the pitcher starts his motion and your son loads have him lift his heel. As he starts his actual swing he is now in the normal toe touch position that he would have been if he was stepping. The swing starts, the heel comes down, knee stiffens, etc. and the swing happens like normal.

The reason I'm suggesting that is to eliminate the step, which leads to him stepping into the bucket. The step doesn't promote the stepping out, but since HE is doing it, I would take one session and work with him on it to see how it works out.

The whole entire theory of this is that at one point with a step or not a step (or maybe a smaller one, or just a small pick up and put down with the foot) is you are at the same point either way when toe touch occurs. It isn't entirely true because other factors are involved but the resulting energy can be the same if you know what to do.

So..... since he has this problem you have to decide if you can do a quick fix or if a more drastic measure, like I mentioned above, are warranted.

 

default

Member

• May 11, 2010

• #7

OK let's assume you don't want to take away the step, what now?

One method is to put a 5 gallon bucket an inch or two behind his front heel so he hits it when he steps out. At first he will be so conscious of it that he won't even be able to swing properly. Move an L-Screen to about 10 feet away (for you) and give him soft-toss from the front to get him used to it being there. In time he won't step back. Now you move back a few feet and do more toss from the front. Maybe you can only get back 25 feet the first day. Go back again the next day or a few hours later. Over and over until muscle memory takes over.

 

default

Member

• May 11, 2010

• #8

Another suggestion:

I'm not a fan a piece of 2x8 to create balance as some like, but it is a useful tool to troubleshoot.

So... get a piece of 2x8 or 2x10 depending on how big his feet are. Elevate the piece of wood with 2x4 at a 90 degree angle at the end and maybe in the middle. Again give him soft toss from the front. Initially it will ruin his swing because he is trying to not fall off. Go slow and easy and make him work his mechanics on it. Do 10-15 swings then get off the beam and take cuts on the ground. At first inclination he is wanting to step out get him back up on the beam.

 

default

Member

• May 11, 2010

• #9

Or as playmaker suggested find a hitting instructor that isn't dad and let him go to work. That instructor should have a bag of tricks that he can pull out depending on what he/she sees in your son.

 

default

Member

• May 11, 2010

• #10

LADY_KNIGHTS said:

According to the old timers, he is "stepping in the bucket"

Click to expand...

Yup, that's what I'm picturing.

There's two reasons for this phenomenon: Wanting to kill the ball by thinking that ripping the hips through early means a ton of power, not realizing that the bat now does not cover the plate....or fear.

Your son needs to attack the ball with the lead shoulder and lead elbow as he strides to toe-touch. This move will automatically force his lead foot to stride straight forward. Once he goes to toe touch he can start rotating his hips and swing the bat through the zone.

Start with tee work, then soft toss, then live or machine pitching, always attacking with the lead shoulder and elbow.

Len

 

default

Member

• May 12, 2010

• #11

Thunder's Dad said:

Are you talking about placing the wedge under the heel, or on the outside edge (pinky toe side) of the back foot?

Click to expand...

The edge of the foot. Pinky side. The edge of your foot might be on and angle 3/4 inch off the ground on the wood.

Makes you feel the load on the inside thigh of back leg. Then try to do a controlled fall to toe touch.

This would work and add what Len said to it.


Straightleg

 

default

Member

• May 13, 2010

• #12

I appreciate all of the comments and help, gives us some stuff to work on this weekend. Thanks to everyone!

And Lenski, I think you are dead on with your comment that he is trying to "kill" the ball.

 

default

Member

• May 14, 2010

• #13

Carlos at the Strike Zone is awesome! I agree with playmaker 74. Phenomenal results.....:yahoo:

 

default

Member

• May 19, 2010

• #14

straightleg said:

The edge of the foot. Pinky side. The edge of your foot might be on and angle 3/4 inch off the ground on the wood.

Makes you feel the load on the inside thigh of back leg. Then try to do a controlled fall to toe touch.

This would work and add what Len said to it.


Straightleg

Click to expand...

That's what I thought. Thanks for the clairification. I see a lot of girls that go to toe touch by just sticking out the front leg. They keep the weight back on the rear leg instead of getting to a 50/50 balance. This may help with some girls to feel what I am trying to show/tell them. Thanks!