hitting

explain to me the difference in linear hitting and rotational hitting. this maybe have been explained b4 not sure i am new to this board.

 

Linear hitting basically promotes a continuous weight shift from back to front during the swing with very little rotation of the body.

Rotational does begin with a weight shift, but that shift is stopped by keeping the front leg firm and then rotating the hips.

Linear produces ground balls and punch a judy acts...rotational produces power hitters!

I know someone will respond to the above statement.

 

Here it is

Linear hitters make better adjustment to speed changes, inside and outside pitches.

Rotational hitters have to have the ball inside and don't hit the change-up very well or the outside pitch. All balls are usually hit to the pull side.

I would also challenge the power comment.

 

Linear approach to a rotational finish

The swing, in baseball or softball, consists of both linear and rotational moves.
One without the other does will not produce the powerful effortless swing.

The negative and positive movement that occurs early in the swing are the linear moves that generate the energy to go into rotation. Areas highlighted in red pertain to the linear movement required to produce a powerful swing. Areas highlighted in blue emphasis where the rotational function occurs. One without the other will result in a failure to hit the ball hard....

The swing common to the successful batter, baseball or softball, can be broken down to a nine-step process. These nine steps and their characteristics are:

• Stance

Athletic position
Finger grip
Ability to create small rhythm
Plate coverage
Both eyes look at pitcher

• Variations

Open stance
Square stance
Closed stance

• Negative Movement

Movement back toward catcher
Initiated by heel lift
Movement of upper and lower body do not separate
Varies from batter to batter
Purpose to get bat started and shift weight to
inside of back leg
Body position – slight lean

• Positive movement to toe touch

Hips and shoulders square to plate
Move to a strong hitting position (strength Plane)
Hands brought back near armpit
Back elbow slightly elevated (60-80 degrees)
Front shoulder slightly down
Ready to read pitch from this position

• Heel plant

Weight onto front heel
Rotation begins now or slightly before (51%)
Slight flex in front knee
Shoulders level

• Connection

Elbows/hands in line with seam of pants
This is the skipping the rock action

• Bat lag

Hands in front of center of gravity (navel)
Barrel pointed to catcher
Lead with elbow

• Contact

Arms not fully extended at contact
Palm up/palm down
Front side to first
Spacing of top and bottom arms
Head position must be down

• Extension

Bat pointed to pitcher
Begin wrist roll

• Finish

Finish with hands around back shoulder or higher
Release of top hand (if done) would happen now.


I'm sure this will generate some discussion....

 

WndMillR gives the basics of the rotational swing straight out of the Slaught/Candrea instructional cd's and obviously has an understanding of rotational mechanics.

ND Fastpitch Fan doesn't seem to be familiar with correct rotational mechanics. "Adjustment to speed changes, inside and outside pitches" can be made equally with the linear swing or the correct rotational swing.

Yes, flawed rotational mechanics can handicap a batter, and many rotational hitters have seriously flawed swings. But understanding and correctly applying the principles outlined by WndMillR will create much more bat speed without sacrificing the ability to adjust to pitch location and speed.

Successful linear hitting requires the hitter to possess above average foot speed. Its a fact that the linear swing produces slower bat speed, lower ball velocity and therefore smaller holes in the defense.

Coaches who don't understand correct rotational mechanics should stick to teaching linear mechanics and schedule opponents who make lots of errors.

 

Hmm...

ND Fastpitch Fan doesn't seem to be familiar with correct rotational mechanics. "Adjustment to speed changes, inside and outside pitches" can be made equally with the linear swing or the correct rotational swing.

Coaches who don't understand correct rotational mechanics should stick to teaching linear mechanics and schedule opponents who make lots of errors.[/QUOTE]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think ND Fastpitch Fan is one of the most successful coaches in NC softball today....true?

I would trust his judgement/advice.

If that isn't him, something is wrong with my computer....

 

You have been reading Mike Epstein----LOL----that is verbatim off the internet...but CORRECT....GURU

 

Keep Hands Close To Center Of Axis

Think of it this way ----where is the most powerful part of a hurricane?? That's right at the eye wall or center of axis...same thing with the center of axis of the human body...the closer to the axis more power generated...further away less energy generated....that's why it is not good to extend the hands through the strike zone...causes the shoulders to open and the wrist to roll...power goes BYE, BYE !!! IE....throw a tether ball around a pole,as it winds up it gets faster,and faster,because it is reaching the center of its axis...the closer to the axis more energy exerted...I much rather take a punch from one of you just outside your reach then 2 feet or less from your body...it all relates back to the center of axis....SEE KINECTIC ENERGY----

 

Can you teach Both ways?

Within a team,can you teach both ways to different players..... Depending on their strength/weakness areas?

some kids are very strong physically, others are weaker but bring other great qualities.....

 

Yes, because all hitters are not the same, even Mike Epstein said that it is incorrect to try and clone(spelling) hitters, everybody is slightly different in their technique,size,and abilities, but the swing through the ball must be similar as to keep the bat coming through the same plane as the ball for maxium impact...GURU