Rotational hitting vs. Linear hitting

[ru4u]

Some coaches teach the rotational hitting style and some coaches teach the linear hitting style. What is the better hitting style, and why?

[nsidethelines]

Geez, what a question. I bet you are going to get a ton of purist either way. I believe that there is room in the game for both styles. What you have to ask yourself, is the coach really teaching a philosophy or is her simply teaching what he has heard? Very few actually take the time to research the philosophies weather it be linear or rotational. I think a really good coach will maintain an open mind and be able to teach various ways of not only hitting but other aspects of the game. There is no such thing a as a cookie cutter softball player. They are all different, no two are alike, maybe similar but not exactly alike.

So to answer your question, for my 2 cents rotation=more power but linear=more bat control. Really need a longer response to totally get into it and I have to get to work. Have fun folks.

[BigYellowBalls]

I believe it is what ever is best for the player. My DD uses the rotational because it fits her best but my younger DD like the linear style better.

[Underdog]

Someone please take a stab at DEFINING both styles . I bet there will be alot of different answers to even that question . I think this is a great thread topic and hopefully one that wont morph into people attacking each others opinions !

[DunninLA]

I see three kinds of hitting objectives in the game currently:

Slapper
Contact hitter with great bat control (sometimes hits HR by accident) i.e. Megan Langenfeld
Power hitter -- tries to hit the ball very hard and it goes where it goes

The hitting technique will vary tremendously from Slapper to Power Hitter. I'm haven't given too much thought to the second category but will start thinking about that soon as my DD will top out at about 110 lbs but is not a speed burner.

[Sam the Sham]

Mike Epstein coined this term. Here is his explanation of the difference.

http://www.mikeepsteinhitting.com/Tips3 ... fault.aspx

The primary difference is the "rotation of the body on its axis" versus the body moving continually moving forward in a line.

Most major league players (baseball I know) employ a combination of the two styles. They are linear (moving forward to the ball) until their heel hits the ground, then they rotate through the swing.

[etx bd]

Mike Epstein coined this term. Here is his explanation of the difference.

http://www.mikeepsteinhitting.com/Tips3 ... fault.aspx

The primary difference is the "rotation of the body on its axis" versus the body moving continually moving forward in a line.

Most major league players (baseball I know) employ a combination of the two styles. They are linear (moving forward to the ball) until their heel hits the ground, then they rotate through the swing.

Sam
Thanks for the link that was the best explanation I've seen.

[dittoz]

Always liked Miked. Went to one of his camps many moons back and while there is always plenty of room for discussion and higher levels of execution, it made good sense and the kids benefitted greatly from his (and his son's) counsel.

[Underdog]

Mike Epstein coined this term. Here is his explanation of the difference.

http://www.mikeepsteinhitting.com/Tips3 ... fault.aspx

The primary difference is the "rotation of the body on its axis" versus the body moving continually moving forward in a line.

Most major league players (baseball I know) employ a combination of the two styles. They are linear (moving forward to the ball) until their heel hits the ground, then they rotate through the swing.

Sam
Thanks for the link that was the best explanation I've seen.

That was a good video and explanation of a combination of the two styles which it seems to me most players probably employ but some people insist on an "either or" approach and to me its hard to visualize either a totally linear or totally rotational approach . You have to move towards the ball and you have to utilize the rotation of your hips for power .

[Area51]

Do people really still ask this question?

http://www.rightviewpro.com/