Hitting and Hitters Discussion Which Hitting Style is Best?

[default]

I realize hitting styles can be an individual thing, but there seems to be two styles that are taught. One is the older style of "squish the bug" where the hitter rotates on the balls of their feet getting the hips turned for power and the other is the Rightview Pro System where the hitter steps forward. the forward move helps generate the power. It is more like a baseball swing. Which is the better, more effective style? Can hitting be over analyzed? Can giving a hitter alot to think about at the plate (spacing of arms, follow through, pinch, stride, angle of feet, width of feet, positon of head, angle of shoulders, hands at follow through, grip, etc.) cause problems or is knowledge power?

 

[default]

My vote is definitly for the "right view pro" style (never really heard it called that, RVP is a software) im no expert, but theres alot more to it than just "moving forward".
And yes, there is alot of mechanics to this technique of hitting, but with alot of practice all of the intricacies become 2nd nature and its a thing of beauty when done right.

 

[default]

The nice thing about Right-View Pro is that they continually improve the program as they learn new things. We are pleased with the results our daughters are experiencing.

 

[default]

The right view pro program is the way to go! My DD's and all of the players that I know that use it love it.

 

[default]

The correct one is the one that works for your dd. ?Period. ?All the systems and various styles are helpful but if it does not help the young lady actually hit the ball what good is it. ?I think many times we parents get so hyped about one style or system, and miss the whole point. ?Everyone is different and what works for one may be the downfall of the other. ?I do think they should be taught the correct basics and then whichever system works for her. ?

It is all about selling, just like all the diets plans and exercise programs out there. ?Everyone knows the way to lose weight is to eat less and exercise more, but billions of dollars are spent on various programs and styles to accomplish the basic need and what works for one may not work for the other. ?

The same is true in just about everything from quit smoking, to diets, to playing any sport.

There is only one best - and it is the one that works for her. ?

 

[default]

We went to RVP last winter after a clinic at Ohio U. Invested almost a $1000.00 on used laptop ( ebay) the software and a mini DV camera. Let me say its amazing stuff. It takes a while to teach and some concentration at first but the results are well worth it. In summer 2005 team batting avg was @ .345 ( high level 14u) and team hit 9 hrs. Worked with RVP all winter. We moved to 16u ( WV Dusters) and 2006 team avg ?was .379 and hit an astonishing 49 hrs in 59 games playing some pretty heavy tournaments. Contact, average and power WILL increase. You must have the time to implement it though. I also endorse the quick hands tool. It goes right with RVP and its principals

 

[default]

Thanks for the information. You all have been helpful.

 

[default]

If you are choosing a model to base your swing mechanics on, why not base it on what the world's best hitters are doing (ie: professional baseball and college softball players)? What better model could you follow?

Mike Candrea and Sue Enquist both now advocate that the softball swing should emulate the Major League Baseball swing mechanics. They take this position on their latest RVP instructional materials. If you have any of their previous materials or videos, this is an entirely different approach from what they were teaching just a few years ago.

One D-1 college that has successfully incorporated "rotational" mechanics into their program, and heavily uses the RVP software, is Michigan. This batting style seemed to work out pretty well for them two seasons a go when they won the NCAA championship.

Of course, Arizona and UCLA have demonstrated success with this batting style. And one need look no further than the U.S. Olympic and National teams to see that the "elite of the elite" softball hitters have incorporated these same mechanics.

This, to me, is all pretty compelling evidence that the rotational style is a great model to follow for the softball swing.

 

[default]

I agree with everything Brett has said......

 

[default]

Bretman is correct. I don't know the name of the person Ernie ( ?) But they have a video out of baseball world in FL. It is called the Major Leaque Swing. I have been using it for years, and it is a good instructional video on mechanics. They have been teaching this in baseball for years. They have an info commercial on TV and they have some good training videos, that can be used in softball.

 

[default]

If the right view program is helping batters become better hitters that is great! I kind of find it hard to believe that it was said by Candrea or Enquist that they teach "rotational" or Tag their style as ratational hitting.

I realize there are some rotational mechanics being applied but I can not say this is a pure rotational swing being taught by Candrea and Enquist.

Any thoughts?

 

[default]

I would agree with Coach Pack. As I said above we use it and at best its a combo of rotational and linear ( more linear in my opinion) . I think the key to it is the hands actually INSIDE the ball and the spacing in the arms at contact combined with a positive move through the ball. Very powerful swing! Just my opinion...

 

[default]

The reason I started this post is my DD has always been a very good hitter, .500 plus for three years playing 14U travel. We started with the Right View Pro system about a year and a half ago and playing varsity as a freshman last year hit .321 (using the linear style). It seems she is not hitting as well since the change from the rotational style to the linear style. She has been told her form using the linear is excellent, yet she doesn't seem to make contact with the ball as often. When she does make contact it's a powerful shot. I also have to take into consideration the older age groups have more movement on the ball and speed, plus she is playing on a very competitive 16U team now. I am beginning to get a few doubts about the linear style. What do you think? Stick with the right view pro or go back to rotational?

 

[default]

You may get away with poor mechanics up to a certain level, especially in high school, but don't expect to be a consistently good hitter without learning proper rotational mechanics. Squishing the bug, throwing hands or knob at the ball, pushing hands through the zone - all are STILL taught. IMO, these are just visual cues someone picked up in trying to copy a major league hitter. Unfortunately, most of these visual cues are the RESULT of something in the swing. Rotation of the back foot in elite hitters is caused by forceful rotation of the body - NOT concious effort to rotate the foot. As proof, watch ANY major league hitter. Most of them will have their back foot off the ground as a RESULT of their powerful swing.

Stick with the RightView system and Candrea and Enquist's teaching. It will pay off when you face better pitchers.

 

[default]

The terms "rotational" and "linear" can cause a lot of confusion. While they both describe a style of hitting mechanics, you might be hard pressed to find agreed upon defininitions of what each term is actually describing.

Enquist and Candrea, in their latest instructional materials, do not advocate "rotational" mechanics. What they do say, on record, is that the softball swing should emulate the same style as used by the best hitters in the world- Major League Baseball players.

While that style is generically refered to a "rotational", you will find that different instructors will describe the elements of "rotational" mechanics using different terms and cues.

The RVP software allows the user to compare their own mechanics side-by-side on the computer screen with the swings of Major League hitters and D-1 college softball players.

When trying to convert a hitter to these mechanics, you might be best served to forget the terms "rotational" and "linear". Your best bet is to observe what the elite hitters are doing and see how it compares with what you are doing, absent the terms that can poorly defined and confusing.

When analyzed in slow motion, the swings of the world's best hitters- both male and female- will look amazingly the same. While there are variations in "style" (stance, grip, posture) from the point of swing initiation to contact these swings will look nearly identical.

If the world's best hitters are all using a common hitting style, that tells me something. Why would you not want to emulate that particular style?

 

[default]

Sammy and Bretman, thanks for the thoughts and conversation. What you say makes sense. We will keep working with the rightview pro system. I think we will work with some golf wiffle balls and maybe some of the new training balls that throw a curve or change up keeping in mind the correct hitting mechanics. Thanks again.

 

[default]

I have a training video on hitting by Tommy Emanskis baseball world. I have had it for 10 years. It does
exactly what Bretman stated. It has been interesting over the years to hear the arguments that softball is a different swing then baseball. Now coachs in this age of technology are watching the best baseball and softball players and noting the swings are basically the same. Not a quote by I think Bill Hillhouse said it best in a clinic. You can have many different Styles, but the technique must be same. He was talking about pitching, but the same goes for the best hitters. Tom uses many of the best hitters in major's to demo. his points.

 

[default]

Copper - after re-reading your original post, I would like to clarify some things.

You refer to a particular "hitting style" being taught. There is a distinct difference between "style" and "swing mechanics". The preparation part of the swing is heavy on style. Some hold the bat nearly at their waist, some wave it like a flag over their head. The important part is getting to a good "set" position (with timing) and ready for rotation at heel plant. This is the point where all the best hitters appear nearly identical.

I also use the RightView system. If you step through the lessons showing the different parts of the swing, you'll notice the stride is absolutely a separate function from the actual swing. They are not striding and swinging at the same time. I don't recall the exact words used, but the stride is demonstrated as a final preparation BEFORE the swing. Actually, some very good hitters don't even use a stride - they have clips in the RightView showing them.

My interpretation is that the Rightview system demonstrates purely rotational swing mechanics. I only wish they had a companion system (with drills or lessons) showing CLEARLY the way to achieve this type of swing.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I view a linear swing as some type of forward body movement DURING the actual swing - kind of a stride and swing combined. This is NOT what the pros in the RightView clips are doing. Both feet are planted and all forward body motion has stopped before the actual swing starts.

 

[default]

Crystal Bustos' hitting instructor claims the technique of hitting is now being taught differently than it was just a couple of years ago. Squashing the bug is out and standing perfectly centered and balanced is in. Only when the pitcher goes into motion should the batter load up and shift weight onto the back foot.

 

[default]

Bustos is one the pro swings available in RVP.