Hitting and Hitters Discussion great hitter not hitting!!

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Very good, I figured I would spark the age old debate about whether you actually see the ball its tail or does hit the bat...I realize that may not be technically correct/possible, but the idea of watching or tracking the ball all the way into the zone is why I use that phrase, it really was amazing to see how quickly corrections were made. I even went against one of my own rules and suggested to a girl on our highschool team who was pulling her head, (during the game) to "try to read what is written on the ball"...her next at bat her head stayed still and she drove the ball and smiled afterward while standing on second base. So it makes me wonder if they are turning their head, dropping their hands, opening too soon, or maybe just not seeing the ball and these things are the auto-pilot responses to not tracking...

When I hear a coach use the phrase you are pulling your head out...I ask the coach does the dog wag its tail or does the tail wag the dog? The reason the head came out was because either the shoulder opened first or something caused the front side to open in my opinion. We use the phrase with our kids track it and drive it as you know you are stronger with your head down. With a kid that has a 3 and 2 count we do not want to be negative by saying something we know did not happen and put a positive spin on it by saying track it and drive it...our coaches who are using this phrase are also getting better results and our hitters know things like head pulling out, back shoulder dropping or front foot opening does not indeed happen and they can tell you why.

I agree the more they focus on seeing the ball from the release point of the pitcher the better chance they have of hitting the ball. The pencil drill and card drill are two of the drills that seem to re enforce the six extra ocular muscles functioning as a unit and it starts from having the head turned from enough to get a good two eyed look at the ball. Once that is established the mechanics of the swing and what effects it has on vision is how I approach hitting in my opinion.

 

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The reason the head came out was because either the shoulder opened first or something caused the front side to open in my opinion.

More often than not, the reason a hitter pulls their head is due to rigid neck muscles, causing the head to rotate with the shoulders. Relax the neck muscles, track the ball from the release, and the hitters head will not pull during rotation.

Len

 

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More often than not, the reason a hitter pulls their head is due to rigid neck muscles, causing the head to rotate with the shoulders. Relax the neck muscles, track the ball from the release, and the hitters head will not pull during rotation.

Len

Len from the film I have viewed over the years when done properly the head will stay in the contact position as the shoulders are rotating or opening. However I will see the hitter either miss or pull the ball when this happens. I have never seen a hitter just move the head away from the ball without the shoulder going first or the front side opening or the front leg opening.

When they select their stance in front of the mirror this is why we ask them if they have any tension in their neck or shoulders verses straining to see the ball or excessive shoulder roll in.

 

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Len from the film I have viewed over the years when done properly the head will stay in the contact position as the shoulders are rotating or opening. However I will see the hitter either miss or pull the ball when this happens. I have never seen a hitter just move the head away from the ball without the shoulder going first or the front side opening or the front leg opening.

When they select their stance in front of the mirror this is why we ask them if they have any tension in their neck or shoulders verses straining to see the ball or excessive shoulder roll in.

Sure, there's going to be a slight lag between shoulder rotation and pulling the head because it is only muscle, not bolted on steel rods. The average person has a neck rotation of roughly 180 degrees. However, I don't quite understand if you agree or disagree with me. Do you agree that a hitter's head pulls off the ball due to a tense neck, causing it to follow the shoulders?

Len

 

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Sure, there's going to be a slight lag between shoulder rotation and pulling the head because it is only muscle, not bolted on steel rods. The average person has a neck rotation of roughly 180 degrees. However, I don't quite understand if you agree or disagree with me. Do you agree that a hitter's head pulls off the ball due to a tense neck, causing it to follow the shoulders?

Len

Len in my opinion usually the shoulder opens first and the head follows anatomically. I have never seen a hitter move their head first and then the shoulder. It is always the shoulder first and with that some times you see the front side open by looking at the foot being pointed towards the pitcher or not getting to heel plant and they spin out on the front foot or the traditional casting out and swinging around the ball. The tension in the neck and shoulder area we address by having them stand in front of a mirror so they get a good two eyed look while seeing and feeling the difference them self.

I personally have never seen the head go before the shoulders is my point.

 

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Oh, okay, so we agree.

Len

 

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Oh, okay, so we agree.

Len

I think so Len...I thought you were saying the head went first and I have never seen that phenomena happen.

Howard