hitting

Absolutely! But your linear hitters must be fast runners.

 

Which style to teach....and when??

Based on the comments posted so far, I think we all agree that there are many schools of thought about the virtues of Rotational vs Linear.. Both styles, while different, have one shared movement in the weight transfer..

Mike Epstein preaches the values of the rotational swing which has a linear move early in the process. Candrea and Slaught use different terms to teach it, but also focus on a rotational swing with an early linear move.

We, as the front line, day to day coaches, need to be knowledgeable and flexible in how teach this process to our kids... Both Epstein and Candrea agree that all hitters are different. We, as instructors, need to understand both styles ( rotational / linear ) so we can properly prepare each unique player with the style that will give them the most chance of success.

This puts the pressure on us, the coaches, into having the knowledge and information to properly prepare our kids.

 

thanks for all the posts you all have been very helpful.

 

Yes, I read Epstein, Candrea, and many others. I also am confident that the pure linear swing promotes hitting ground balls. I have been around the block a few times, but I very rarely attempt to create my own hitting style..I am not that good yet.

 

I agree 100% Wndmillr. Coaches should be familiar with both techniques and should always attempt to learn more. I believe the softball swing is just like the baseball swing...just my opinion. I used to believe they were different and it seems that somewhere in the past people attempted to make it different because they didn't want it to be like baseball. I still see kids with the short, choppy swing that in the follow through they hit themselves in the back...I never quite figured that one out.

 

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....[/QUOTE]

Don't know if he is or isn't. But you can hit more pitches in different locations more easily using rotational than you can with linear. Since you keep your weight balanced (staying behind the ball) in rotational you are able to adjust to different speeds and locations. It's about getting the plane of the bat head on the plane of the pitch which is accomplished more effectively in rotational.

Since your weight is continuously moving forward in linear hitting it's a lot harder to make these adjustments.

You definitely hit with more power or should we say gappers and home runs using rotational. Refer to Mike Epstein.

 

understading the differences

I really like the feedback from everyone it has been enlightning, but I must say that being from a college baseball background the essence of timing is not something that is really pin pointed by the a lot of coaches in the TB or HS game. Too many players would rather see the faster pitching verses the average pitchers because the can't make the adjustments with their mechanics. I do not profess to be an expert but I know that if a pitcher has average stuff a hitters should have more confidence hitting rather than the pitcher that has explosive stuff. It seems to be the opposite in the FP game.

I do see a big difference in the college game but I think it is because of the time they have to put into working on their swings.

I think too many coaches do not try to work with a hitters timing because it requires a lot of refining and some coaches do not understand how to help a player with timing so they teach rotational mechanics and to me I see more reactive hitting verses a good load, transfer and extension on good pitches. In fastpitch I see a lot of hitters that would rather see the pitch coming fast than facing a pitcher that throws mid 50's. I see them struggle to allow the ball to travel deeper with the slower pitchers due not having good timing mechanics.

All pitchers have different deliveries and timing those pitchers sometimes will mean the difference between hard hit balls and infield pop ups. I am all for teaching timing and hitting the ball inside as opposed to swing around the ball. Batters that spin their back heal tend to fall back and not get fully extended on the pitch.

Good luck to all that are teaching but I would rather work on the 1-2-3 mechanics that promote load, transfer, and extension verses reactively spinning around pitches.

Good luck this summer.

 

great points and wondering....with the 9-10 y/o group with no lower body(hip rotation), what then?

lol....this aint about me man.....my techs are fine!!!

 

Be patient

Be patient with DAD who hollers "get your back elbow up". He thinks the way he was taught is what he needs to pass on. Good intentions. Bad advice. By the way TBR, it matters not, which tech. a batter uses, if TIMING is off!