Hitting and Hitters Discussion question about slapping

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Vicki Gallindo from the Cal. Bears, and now a member of the Chicago Bandits, is the best I have ever seen. Great speed, amazing placement of the ball, and can even slap with power.

 

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check that pm, MD!

 

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I've worked with a lot of speed kids and slapping. I don't teach them to bring their right foot towards their back foot. why step backwards? I teach them to move straight back behind them 6" and cross their back foot over towards the pitcher, and their front foot pivots. This keeps their motion going forward - toward the pitch. I have seen kids who step back towards their other foot actually slip sometimes because their weight is so far forward when they change directions.

just my two cents.

 

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A picture is worth a thousand words. If anyone has some good representative video of slapping technique, please post!

 

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I've worked with a lot of speed kids and slapping. I don't teach them to bring their right foot towards their back foot. why step backwards? I teach them to move straight back behind them 6" and cross their back foot over towards the pitcher, and their front foot pivots. This keeps their motion going forward - toward the pitch. I have seen kids who step back towards their other foot actually slip sometimes because their weight is so far forward when they change directions.

just my two cents.

The problem with this technique is that by pulling the front foot away from the plate as you described pulls the hip out and away from the plate and will cause the head to move. This makes it harder for the hitter to see the ball and hit the outside pitch.

Dave Paetkau teaches to bring the front foot back towards the back heel.

Sammy, I was looking for some good video from YouTube and Google, but couldn't find any clips.

 

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Good Point cshilt: I spent some time with Dave Paetkau outside at the Mega Clinic and he was an excellent slapper. He is sending me his power point presentation, since he was not able to cover this section due to time at the clinic. My dd is a slapper and I wanted to improve her hand motiion.

 

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I'm not a full time slapper, but when I do slap I do it the way D. Bekham teaches for exactly the same reason. The slight turn towards first helps me get there a split second faster, and it doesn't cause me to tqake my eye off the ball. Just think "Track it and whack it".

 

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The hardest thing for the ladies is to keep them going straight and not bail too early. Facing the pitcher, put a flat base the "rubber type" or something like that, even if you draw an "X" in the dirt at the front rt. corner of the box. Make sure they don't step on it as they are going forward. If they do step on it, they will never get the outside part of the plate. Getting to first faster doesn't help if you don't make contact. Since I've read that technique in a book, it's always been a reminder for my slapping DD's and it has helped them stay focused.

Crossover, no crossover is more a timing thing and those that can master it, great, if not to each their own. But you have to go straight and a good catcher will pick up on it if you bail.

 

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The best way to avoid bailing too soon is to learn your footwork first. Before even trying to swing the bat or slap off of a tee, practice your footworkover and over until it becomes second nature. That way when the bat and ball become involved, you do not even have to think about what your feet are doing. They do what they've always done and the hitter can concentrate on the ball.

 

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Larry Ray, Mike Candrea's top assistant, and the top slap-hitting coach in the world will be in Ashland, Kentucky on November 17th to do a one-day clinic. If it's remotely possible for you to attend, I'd do it if I were you! It will be the best thing you could do for her as a slapper.

For more information: www.championshipfastpitch.com

or call 606-928-0822 and ask for Dave or Jerrad

 

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We use a cone placed on the base line just inside the batter's box. She has to make contact and then move around the cone towards first. My DD's biggest problem right now is an occasional touch of home plate but never bailing too soon.She also step's straight back with her lead foot and then toward the front corner of the plate with her trailing foot at contact if her timing is good. She is a natural righty but have switched to lefty due to her speed.Don't know if this is right but has worked good for us so far.

 

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Anyone else have an opinion/video/link....

 

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since back in oct we have been to clinic with larry ray , amd learned all about the approach and footwork. just need practice to perfect it. MD