how do you know who is right about swinging a bat

[Mark H]

A couple of comments from me. Looking at it frame by frame, it's pretty darn quick. I'd say 4.5 frames. Starting the count from first move of the bathead into the swing plane, the issue shows up at frame three where her lead elbow extends and her hands drop. The premature elbow extension is somewhat analogous to a motorcycle chain slipping one tooth during acceleration. It's a brief disconnection of a smooth transfer of power from trunk rotation to the bat. The hand drop is an issue because it's force directed in a different direction from the desired swing plane. In frame four, she executes a great recovery. She rotates well. Next post I'll copy and paste some of Steve's thoughts on the swing. Then I'll translate any nomenclature particular to Steve's discussion of swinging a bat.

[Mark H]

"It is not JUST that the lead arm extended too much .

It is also the case that the hands dropped substantially ---note that the hands are almost down at the waist.

And thus the barrel angle is far too "steep" at that point in the clip.



Back scap not being used to pull the lead arm back and up into the shoulder line....thus lead arm never gets connected to the lead shoulder line of pull.

Meaning that in not really loading the shoulders well,this adversely effects the hands/lead arm/knob to effectively LINK with the LINE OF PULL of the arc of the shoulders rotating along the transverse plane.

When the arms /knob are pulled downwardly as in the above clip,you are MISALIGNING/MISDIRECTING the arms/knob/barrel .

In effect ,you are creating 2 different momentum paths of the trunk and arms/barrel.

Inherent to this is a degrading of bat speed, swing quickness ,and barrel accuracy.

Now,she DOES recover [compensate in a pretty effective manner] pretty well.

Two reasons why:

1] She does turn pretty well.

2] The back arm flexion angle from lag to contact articulates well ,i.e., it stays pretty close to the back side oblique region .

Now, from the standpoint of working with this hitter to try to improve the shoulder loading/lead arm alignment, I'm not sure if there would be time to try to improve her swing.

I think Mark said she is in college now -----and has been reasonably successful [at least that is what I think Mark had been told ].

One more point as regards flaws.

IF I was working with her,I would "play around " with her set-up ----more centered /forward centered ,and work at a better dead lift -like posterior chain loading.

In part to see if she could create a slightly different ---better ---manner of shifting /sitting .

[Her head appears to be not quite as centered as I think is optimal ,and the heel exchange is not as quick as I think it could be /should be].

steve"

Edited by Mark for clarity here.

[Mark H]

Explanation of terms.

Lead arm extension refer to elbow extension.

Hands dropping refers to letting the lead arm drop below the plane the shoulders are rotating in.

Scap refers to the shoulder complex and it's ability to slide forward and backward around the rib cage. It's the forgotten unrecognized link between the torso and the bat.

Anything else seems unclear let me know.

[Mark H]

Like I said, Steve compares to the best swings in the world. I compare to her peers. Having looked at a LOT of gold softball these last ten years, this swing would put her well up there in terms of her peers.

The above discussion references the first swing on the practice clip.

[Mark H]

I for one am always impressed with the one who makes it look effortless.

Especially the smaller ones who produce big results while making it look effortless. I give them extra attention.

[jonriv]

Thanks for the feedback. Will see what adjustments can be made. Bat speed and quickness have never been an issue. She does sometimes get over- anxious which sometimes gets her to stride out to much. Causes her to do what we call the "lindsey lunge" and causes her swing to loop too much

Btw she has a hell of a golf swing!

[jonriv]

http://youtu.be/YKiEzJjcQ-4

Sorry for the full clip. Key part is from 1:16-1:28. That's dd making catch in right and the following is her hitting a double. How does that swing look?

[Safebyahare]

Holy Moses Mark H. ! I had to read that three times, and will read it three more.
It reads like an instruction manuel of anatomy of hitting.
A collision of forces into art.
Thank you.

[Mark H]

I'll take the thanks for bringing it over here but the credit goes to Steve Englishbey for the information. Glad you appreciate it and hope it helps.

[Blind Squirrel]

I for one am always impressed with the one who makes it look effortless.

Especially the smaller ones who produce big results while making it look effortless. I give them extra attention.

The best example I saw during my kid's time: was Bridgette DelPonte. Any of you guys familiar and/or have a comment about what made her so special? It might help teachers of young ladies of similar size. That kid was an absolute beast at the plate.