Hitting For Excellence - Baseball Hitting Instruction, Batting Instruction!

COACH'S CORNER
(Q&A With Dave)

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Question:	I hit third in my high school lineup and pretty much all of my hits have been right back up the middle and to right field. my coach wants me to turn on the ball more and drive it with some power to left cause he thinks that is one of my strengths. i just purchased your program and i have really been working on staying short right back up the middle and its really worked. how can i stay short and still take the middle in pitch and drive it to left?

Dave Hudgens:	It sounds like you are right on track. If your driving the ball back up the middle you should have no problem moving your contact point out front on the inside pitch. What you want to stay away from is trying too pull everything. If you are looking middle in, do not swing at the ball on the outside part of the plate. Stay inside the ball on the inside pitch, and make contact out front. Make sure your bat angle is correct to the ball. Let us know how you are progressing. Good luck.

Question:	I'm trying to explain to my sons (14 & 16) how to let their hands lead the bat head to the ball, to feel the weight of the barrel in their hands as they "throw" it at the ball. How do I most properly explain this to them withoout them starting to cast the bat or rolling over their top hand too soon, getting too wristy with their swing. They could also want to start flpping the bat head out at an outside pitch, trying to hook it. I need some clarification. Thanks, Dave.

Dave Hudgens:	Even though the barrel of the bat is thrown to the ball, some hitters have difficulty with that mentality. When some hitters think about hitting with the barrel, they actually create a longer swing. I have also found that hitters who think about hitting with their wrists tend to roll over quite a bit. Those are actions that should happen naturally and problems can be created if the hitters thinks about them. Most hitters can think about just using their hands to the ball, however if that doesn't work they can also thiknk about taking the knob of the bat to the hitting zone. Those are just a couple mentalities that I have found to work with hitters. Good luck with the training.

Question:	My son switch hits but from the left side he tends to start his hands forward alittle bit and then swings. What drills should we be using to keep his hands back in a good hitting position.

Dave Hudgens:	The two drills I would recommend are the walk up drill, and the three step drill. These two drills will help develop the proper start with your son's hands. It's a matter of repetition so keep up the work. Good luck with the training.

Question:	We have a hitter on our American Legion Team who claims that keeping his back elbow up at the point that he completes his stride; i.e. getting into a "Position of Power", or "launch" position, or "loaded" position, allows him to attack the ball with a downward approach. His back elbow, at the end of his stride, is parallel to the ground. As i understand biomechanics, this position has to elongate the swing. It also seems to me that his hands and arms have to be really quick for pitchers that have some pop on their fastball, as well as good offspeed pitches, to compensate for the longer path that the hands have to take to the ball. In coaching hitters, I have difficulty convincing them that starting with the back elbow at a 45 degree (or so) angle in their stance and keeping it there after their stride gives them more time to decide if they want to commit to the pitch; in part, because they see so many major leaguers starting with the back elbow up and parallel to the ground. Is it true that most major leaguers who start that way and are successful, i.e. , high batting averages, bring the elbow down to about a 45 degree angle when they get into their "position of power"? If having the elbow slanted toward the ground in the "Position of Power" is so important, why not start there. The player whose approach I like to get our hitters to emulate is Mike Piazza. His swing is extremely short and smooth. (Being from the New York City area, I get to see more of him than others). The other example I like to use is Tony Guinn. What surprises me is that this kid is being coached/instructed by someone who, the player says, is an advocate of your program. I find that difficult to believe. Any comments or suggestions?

Dave Hudgens:	Coaches and kids see the set up of Major League hitters but most coaches do not understand what happens when the ML hitter gets into the position of power. The back elbow will relax before they swing. Some people cannot be convinced, I don't argue with them, but I will have them do some drills that relaxes the back elbow. Doing one hand top hand drills will force the back elbow into the proper position. I would just keep reminding your hitter to stay short to the ball and see if over time he gets in a more relaxed position. Good luck.

Question:	After getting your program last spring I have noticed that one of the most common flaws I see at the park is a poor grip. I just came from spring tryouts at our highschool where the head coach and I watched batting practice. Almost no one had a good grip, with most of the kids really choking the bat in the back of the palm, with several different variations. I asked the coach if he had talked about the grip any, and his comment was if they were hitting, he pretty much left them alone. Could you comment on how important this is, for hitting with power, going to the next level as well as success at this level?

Dave Hudgens:	The grip is very important to success at higher level. With an aluminum bat, it is possible to have some success at lower levels with an improper grip. However, they would be having much more success with a correct grip. This would increase fluid movements, power, and proper mechanics. Good luck with the grip.

Question:	When my 16 year old tried setting his hands in the Position of Power, he feels like it's harder the pull down with the bottom hand, getting that short path to the ball. He feels "trapped" a bit and has too much top hand, his swinging loops under the ball. How can we get the hands set and still get that pull down angle with the bottom hand? Thanks

Dave Hudgens:	The Position of Power is a position that every hitter should be in when the stride foot lands. The hands do not need to move very much, as long as the hands are just behind the back foot when the stride foot lands. The hands should not feel "trapped". This should be a fluid movement that is not segmented. Review the Short Stroke video for the proper angle to the ball. It sounds like your son is not properly staying inside the ball. The easiest way to correct this problem is to not think of cocking the wrists, just think about taking the hands back. This will allow for a free and easy swing, when he thinks about the wrists, he would probably have a tendency to be stiff. I think that is what you were referring to. Good luck.

Question:	I have son who is being coached to grip the bat in the fingers only. Also, during contact the top hand should be extended as if he is shaking hands with someone. The coach believes this grip quickens the bat and reduces the chances of the hitter rolling hands before contact. Dave, would be interested in your thoughts! Thanks.

Dave Hudgens:	During contact the top hand should not be extended. Also the bat should be held in the fingers, but not to the point that it is hard to hold onto the bat. I don’t know the player’s age, but if he is young it might be difficult for him to hold it in his fingers. But if he is in high school or college, his hands should be large enough to hold onto the bat.

Question:	I have not kept stats, but I bet my son grounds out to the SS in over 40% of his at bats. He says he is trying not to the pull the ball. He is 15. What could be a cause???

Dave Hudgens:	It sounds like he is casting his hands out and around the ball. Keep his hands closer to his body on the approach to the ball. Have him hit the inside part of the ball, concentrating on driving the ball back up the middle.

Question:	I have noticed that the lead arm sometimes straightens a bit early, even while the back elbow is staying close and the hands are inside the ball. It appears to me that this causes the barrel to drop. He hits so well most of the time that about the only way he ever gets out is an occasional weak infield fly. I mean really weak. My son's hands start about collarbone high (the top hand), but as he moves his weight back just before the stride, he also moves his hands back and up to the proper position. Normally he does not drop them again. I have never noticed him drop them again.

Dave Hudgens:	As far as the lead elbow question, there is another area to look at. Make sure that your son's weight transfer is getting to the center position at contact, this is very important when dealing with the proper bat angle. If your son's weight stays on his back foot too much, his back side will collapse forcing his lead elbow to lift. If it is something he looks comfortable with, I like the suggestion of the higher hand position. If his weight transfer looks good, the proper hand position will help him to create the proper bat angle to the ball. Good luck.

Question:	When you get your movement back and the stride or no stride starts should the front arm be extended back to a point werethe front arm has no flexion at all in it or should it still be "bent" and toward the ground?

Dave Hudgens:	It's easier to stay inside the ball if there is flexsion in the lead elbow. Barring the lead arm will lead to a longer swing and problems with the inside pitch.

Question:	My 10 yr old son has developed a bad habit of dropping his hands as he starts his swing. This has caused his swing to become vey long, lack power and result in a very awkward follow through. What drills do yu recommend that he practice to correct this problem?

Dave Hudgens:	Do his hands get into a good position of power just before he swings? If he is not getting into a strong POP he will be in a weak position to hit. Have him do the walk up drill, this drill will help get his hands into a strong position to hit.

Question:	My 9 year old son is one of your students. In addition, he has taken lessons from some local professional hitting instructors. He makes very consistent contact and almost always hits a ground ball or line drive-rarely does he lift the ball. This is great and exactly how he has been taught. However, he does not seem to really hit the ball hard. I asked a Division 1 College Baseball coach friend of mine to watch him in BP the other day. He told me that 1. his mechanics are far advanced(thanks to you and others)2. His hands are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing-staying short and inside the ball. However, he noted that he does not use his legs/hips effectively. He has been taught to shift the weight forward and turn on the back foot at the same time that he brings the knob down and forward. My friend noted that at times, it seems that his hands were getting out in front of his foot turn/hip rotation; hence his hip rotation contributes little to his bat speed. In your book, you mentioned that when working with young players, you avoid encouraging the hip rotation because invariably, the players will start pulling off the ball. The other instructors he has worked with have said the same thing. However, would it be reasonable to overemphasize the foot turn earlier while stressing the importance of keeping the shoulders closed so that he can learn the feeling of tension between the hips and torso that will help accelerate his bat when he most needs it- at the beginning of his swing?? Your program is tremendous and I have learned so much that I use in coaching both my own son as well as other players on his team and another team. Thanks.

Dave Hudgens:	You are right not to stress the hips because of the problems it can cause young kids, but instead you should encourage the proper back foot and knee turn. This will take care of the proper hip rotation. Make sure that the hands and back side come together. Get the hips and hands working together so he can get the feel of the back side and hands working together. As soon as his back foot starts turning, start the hands.

Question:	Am I supposed to leasd the swing with the knob of the bat to have a shorter swing? I thought u r, but on another hitting site, they said that you arent supposed to. Thanks a lot, and good luck.

Dave Hudgens:	Leading with your hands, which leads the knob, is the most effective and consistent approach to practice. If you are not leading with your hands, you are going out and around the ball, this type of swing will cause many problems.

Question:	I am having difficulty helping my son (8 years old) get the barrel of the bat to the contact point. He has a good hip turn, good bat angle coming down, but won't launch the barrel at the ball. Weak fly balls to right field result. Any suggestions?

Dave Hudgens:	If the sequence of the swing appears correct, he is probably getting into the position of power late. Check to see if he is getting his stride foot down in time. His stride foot must be down by the time the ball is about 1/2 way to home, otherwise his mechanics will breakdown and he will be rushing to the ball.

Question:	My daughter hits with a split grip about one half of one inch. It helps her to get on top of the pitch and feels comfortable. I would like to hear your view on this type of grip on the bat.

Dave Hudgens:	My personal recommendation is not to use a split grip. If she keeps playing and her top hand becomes dominant she could have some problems with rolling her top hand too soon.

Question:	I often drop my back shoulder and I think it's because I don't get to the launching position. What is the best way to get to this position?

Dave Hudgens:	Getting into the position of power is something that needs to be practiced and repeated, this must become a habit. This type of movement has to be without thought; it has to be a reaction and not something done by thought.

Question:	I used to have a sweet swing and could drive the ball, but lately I haven't been hitting up to my potential. I make contact but don't put anything behind the ball, so its an easy out. How do I fix this? I think my body goes before my hands giving me no power.

Dave Hudgens:	It sounds like your not getting into a strong position of power. Make sure your hands are behind your back foot when your stride foot lands. If you don't separate your hands from your stride foot, your body will not be in a good position to hit. It sounds like you are striding and hitting at the same time, this will leave you in a weak hitting position.

Question:	Can someone please explain the walk up drill? Is this drill the one where the hitter assumes his batting stands, takes the stride with the front leg and after landing stops with hands in the position of power?

Dave Hudgens:	This drill is designed to get the hands of the hitter working and to get into a strong position of power. Two steps behind the tee. Step first with the lead foot. Plant the lead foot in what would be your standard position in the box. When the stride foot lands, you should be in a good position of power. Now hit through the ball with a good finish.

Question:	I am a shortstop/pitcher. This year, I developed a little bump near my forearm and it doesnt ever bother me. My coach is having me see the trainer on it. I just wondered if you knew what it could be.

Dave Hudgens:	I would recommend that you see a doctor. Anytime you have an irregularity with your arm you should have your doctor take a look at it.

Question:	When my son is in the position to start his swing, he has his hands level with his back shoulder. As he starts the swing, his hands go straight down instead of going down to the path of the coming ball. This is resulting in uppercuts and loss of power. What can I do to help him correct this problem?

Dave Hudgens:	The hands should not drop, they should move slightly back, the hands should end up just behind the back foot before the hitter starts his swing. On the swing, the hands should move across the chest with the hands staying above the ball. Perform the walk up drill to start developing the hands to go back instead of down