Let's Talk Hitting

Before I start I am not trying to bash any style just want to get other opinions.

Most of my players go to hitting coaches. Some are taught the linear approach and some are taught, what I consider the old way, knob first A to C swing.

Looking at the stats from this season, and watching some of the swings I have seen this year I need someone to convince me that the linear approach is good. Is there anyone out there that can break down the linear swing?

I coach at a 1A school and we lost last night in the second round of the state play-offs. This year I had one senior and 11 freshman and sophomores. Could it be that I'm jumping the gun and I just need to let these guys continue or should I say something to them about their choice of hitting coach.

All opinions welcome.

 

You would do well to talk approach as much as swing - which is what the linear/rotational is all about.

We all have kids that go to "instructors". They can work swing all day, but what about pitch selection, recognizing spin/pitch, situational hitting, etc.? I have had kids with beautiful video swings that take phenominal BP, but in games they consistently swing through changes and over 58 foot curveballs, or get beat by 78 mph fastballs - all GUESSING!

You can have a million dollar swing, but with a 2 buck approach - well, you get the idea.

 

For me, it comes down to two things. Comfort and approach. CatCoach hit on the approach. If you look at all good hitters, they go up to the plate with a plan in mind. This in turn helps give them a certain level of comfort. Most hitters are going to have some sort of combination between a linear and rotational swing. If you start turning all of your hitters into cookie-cutters, you might run into even more problems. If they can find a way to get the bat to the ball and get good extension through it, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Help them find what it is that they feel good with and then help them make small adjustments w/o completely breaking them down. It is much easier to make a one small adjustment at a time that you feel comfortable doing than it is to overhaul a swing. Fact of the matter is, you probably don't have enough hours in the day to overhaul 12-15 different swings. If they have a swing that feels good to them, they are going to have some confidence when they step up to the plate. Pair that with a good approach, and you are probably going to have a pretty good high school hitter. I know this didn't really answer your question, but I hope it helps.

 

Thanks. Both replies are great. We talk approach each and every day. I've got young players and they have to learn about approach, but they have gotten a little better.It seems to me that the guys I know that use this linear approach have an upper cut to their swing. To me that gives them less time with the bat in the strike zone. Therefore, they have to be more perfect or lucky to make good contact.

Keep'em coming I'm trying to get as much information on this a spossible.

 

Here is an interesting discussion:
http://www.thisboardrocks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49216&highlight=Linear+rotational

 

Squashing the bug

http://www.thisboardrocks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=159375&highlight=Linear+rotational

 

Linear Uppercut???

Coach, I have taught both "linear" and "rotational" but I have never seen the linear swing taught with an upper-cut.

I know there's folks out there that say they like a combination of linear and rotational mechanics in their swings, so they say they teach a combination or a hybrid swing if you will... That is where there's alot of confusion, while there's both rotational and linear movements (mechanics) in both hitting styles, they are two distinctly different styles of hitting, and to try to truly merge the two into one creates a mess.

I personally prefer "rotational" and that is what I teach most of the time.

As far as the approach, it's most definitely important. 80% of hitting is mental which involves your approach, and that's where the quickest difference can be made in a hitter, but when you can get the other 20% (which includes the mechanics) finely tuned as well, you will have a hitting machine.

Where are you located coach?

 

I'm in Roxboro. I coach Roxboro Community School. And, I know what you mean about the upper cut in a linear style. I have had conversations with a few people about the swings these boys have and cannot for the life of me figure out why in the world their swing looks like it does.

I believe in see the ball hit the ball. Quiet hands and so forth. Several of the young men I coach start with their hands real low.

Braves, thanks for the links. I will view them.

 

Rotational

Go to rotational hitting 101 If the baseball is comming on a downward plane the swing has to have a uppercut in it The back elbow has to drop down to the side in a position like you was going to do a curl The pro instructors call this the power position or the slot. This will keep the bat in the zone a lot longer On rotational hitting 101 they break down Alberts swing step by step Also on Chris O Leary they break down a lot of pro players step by step Also go to Where are the hands at launch and you will see the only linear movement is the front foot during the stride The great hitters head never goes forward which tells me if you could run a pole from the top of the head and out the butt you would rotate on this axis. The front leg must lock for the back hip to pulled around But look at these websites and decide for yourself.

 

Coach Tuck

By the way I have played a lot of games at optimist park!Spelling might be wrong