Extension Archive
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| Question: |
I got your program right when it came out, along time ago, and i
want to say thanks. Its really open my eyes to hitting and has
gotten me interested in it to the point that it is obsessive. I do tee
drills every night. I was wondering about a problem I've had for a
long time, i seem to be late on everything. I hit hard line drives the
other way along with ground balls. I know not to pull outside
pitchs, however when there is one right down the middle or inside
i still hit to right field. I was wondering if i should stride earlier, say
when the picher brings his arm back. and also do you suggest the
Charlie Lau one handed finish over the two hand finish. and are
there any advantages or disadvantages to both.
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| Dave Hudgens: |
When hitters are late, they are getting their stride foot down late.
Your stride foot should be down by the time the ball is about 1/2
way to home. When the foot gets down late, the hitters' body has
got to do something to catch up. The swing will break down at this
point trying to catch up. Getting the front foot down early will slow
everything down so the hitter can recognize the pitch as well as
execute the swing.
As far as the finish goes, I teach whichever works best for the
hitter I'm working with. For hitters that have a problem getting
extension, I will work on releasing the top hand. If the hitter is
getting the proper extension and his head position is correct, the
two handed finish is fine. The key with either finish is that it is high
and away from the body.
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| Question: |
I have two sons 11 and 8 years old who have developed more of
a rotational follow through at shoulder height or below. I am
currently trying to shorten their swings with your drills form the
short stroke video. Also, I have worked with moving the tee about
three inches infront of normal with alittle success. Any suggestion
on how to teach the high out and away from your body follow
through would be appreciated.
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| Dave Hudgens: |
Extension is more difficult for young kids because of a lack of
strength. I would continue to work on being short to the ball with
the correct bat angle. Make sure that their top hand does not roll
too soon. This is what generally happens when a hitter has a low
finish, the top hand will roll too soon, taking the barrel off the
contact plane.
Stay with the out front drill, keep working on staying short to the
ball. If you can develop these correct habits, as your sons get
stronger, the proper extension will be easier for them to
understand. Good luck.
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| Question: |
I coach Little League (coach pitch) and seem to have problems
with hitting. At practices most everyone hits. However, in the games
most step toward 3rd base and miss the ball. Also, they seem to
forget their form and swing.
Any suggestions on fundamentals of
stance, swing and position of arms along with drills to help
proper step and swing?
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| Dave Hudgens: |
When kids step in the bucket it deals with one of two areas.
- Wanting to pull the ball too much.
- A fear of the ball.
With the first area, pulling too much, start the kids in practice,
have them hit the ball to the opposite field. This will help them to
keep their front side in. Emphasize to them the importance of
staying square to the plate as long as possible. If their stride is
too long (more than 4-5 inches) have them widen their stance
some. Keep their stride easy and short.
If some of the kids have a fear of the ball, first teach them how to
react the proper way. When they know how to get out of the way,
they will have more confidence to stand in.
Teach the kids to have an aggressive approach by hitting the ball
right back up the middle. If you're the pitcher and you're over 40, you
better get a glove. It can be dangerous!!!
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| Question: |
Hi! I noticed that after contact, at full extension, I sometimes
shrug my shoulders when my arms are extended. Is this normal?
Thanks
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| Dave Hudgens: |
Try to keep your shoulders relaxed during your swing. This will
help keep your swing consistent through the contact zone.
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| Question: |
My 11 yr old son has been on the HFE program for 2 yrs now. It
has definitely been the reason for his success. Being his father
and his coach has its limitations and he probably would advance
farther if someone else was coaching him in HFE techniques.
Anyway, I digress! My question is: My son has a great hit ball
percentage, however he does not hit through the ball and his bat
angle at contact continues on a downward plane instead of a
even plane. He always hits grounders and never/seldom line
drives. Other than telling him whats happening and
demonstrating the proper technique, I can't seem to get him to
adapt the proper mechanics (I think this is where I was going
with the Dad thing!) Anyway, are there some drills you can
recommend that might creat a muscle memory for the proper
mechanics in hitting through the ball and the proper swing plane?
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| Dave Hudgens: |
Your son sounds like he has the correct idea of starting at a
downward angle. In his toss drills, and off the tee, have him start
finishing his swing shoulder high. As you stated the swing should
level off, if you work on the finish, he should level the swing off.
Make sure he is not rolling his top hand too soon, the top hand
should not roll until well after contact.
Do some tee work, move the tee about 5-7 inches in front of
where he would normally make contact. If he continues his
downward angle he will not be able to make good contact. He will
have to level his swing in order to make contact. Have him try to
drive the ball back up the middle, keeping his hands going
through the contact plane.
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| Question: |
I have a 10 year that has worked very hard the over the last year
developing his swing with your program. His batting average is
high, on base percentage is high and in general has good at bats
because he rarely swings at bad pitches.
He undertsands that to hit the ball well he has to get into a
position of power, stride and then finally swing.
My wish for him is to more consistently replicate his "batting tee"
swing during soft toss and ultimately during live bats with a
pitched ball. His mechanics off the tee are very good and his
extension and follow-through is great. I noticed however that
during quite a few at bats, probably in an effort to make contact,
his extension is missing. The end result is a not so crisply hit
ball.
What drills should we try to more consistently incorporate a good
follow-though into his swing?
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| Dave Hudgens: |
It sounds like your son is on the right tract. Part of the reason for
his lack of extension could be strength. Many 10 year olds lack the
strength needed to complete the follow through correctly every
time.
If you don't think that strength is the issue then refer to the Power
Hitting program and work on the out front tee drill. This drill will
force him to keep the bat going through the zone; this will help
him with his extension.
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| Question: |
What are your thoughts on the top hand release theory and
backspin versus topspin?
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| Dave Hudgens: |
If it works for the hitter, I like the top had release. If a hitter has a
problem getting extension, this type of finish will help. Make sure
he does not release the top hand too soon.
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| Question: |
I was always taught to have a high follow thru. I have been
noticing on video that I have an extremely high follow thru which
seems to make an uppercut. I know this is incorrect and I have
been working on having a long follow thru around the shoulder.
How many hitters do you see with this problem?
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| Dave Hudgens: |
The follow through will vary depending on the hitter. As you stated,
the higher the follow through the more lift there will be in your
swing. I find more hitters with too low of a follow through as
opposed to too high.
Be sure that your approach to the ball is at the correct angle and
work on keeping your head down on the ball through contact.
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