It is with the utmost sincerity that I welcome you to the college connection.  The single greatest influence that the game of baseball or fastpitch holds lies within the hands of the college coaches across the country.  More than professional athletes and major league coaches, college coaches carry massive influence over the players and coaches within their respected regions. 

The more I work with players and coaches from all across the country the more I realize that there is a definite disconnect between what the best players are doing when they swing the bat and what is actually being taught at the college level.  I am not looking to debate which style is the most appropriate and beneficial to players, but rather open a door to those of you truly interested in learning the art of teaching rotational mechanics. 

The internet has created an instant resource for players and parents to research any topic they can think of and rotational mechanics just happens to be one that is a very hot topic these days.  This is a great tool for many and a hindrance for many more.  Coaches are being challenged on a daily basis as to why they are teaching what they are teaching and with the amount of information that is be presented today raises some very serious questions that are becoming problematic for many college coaches.

A couple simple examples to help define what I am referring to in regard to hitting mechanics. 

    

These clips were taking from a website from an ex-professional coach and demonstrates perfectly how linear mechanics work.  Are you teaching something similar?  Do you understand why or is it because that is what you were taught and is popular within your circle?   

An example from the national team demonstrating the same technique. 

 

The Reality

It is physically impossible to throw your hands at the ball (or the knob) and get into this hitting position.  Every picture you look at that has the bent front elbow tells a story, and it isn't throwing the hands at the ball and it certainly isn't swinging down. 

Ted Williams wrote that the impact of the bat and ball is reached not with the wrists rolling, or the wrist swing, but with the wrists square and unbroken.  When players lead with their hands their front arm gets extended and locked out, and as soon as your front arm is extended and straight, your wrists will roll.  When the wrist rolls that changes the plane that the bat is traveling and results in partial contact or greatly reduced power.    

Caitlin doesn't throw her hands at the ball, she shifts her weight, she tilts, she turns and makes contact at the Ideal Impact Zone with square wrists. 

Crystal Bustos slides to heel drop, tilts and turns to the ball using her core muscle to pull.  At contact, she is at the Ideal Impact Zone with her hands inside the ball.  It is impossible for her to get into this position if she were to throw her hands at the ball.  

 

Derek Lee makes it look so easy when he turns to the ball.  He doesn't lead with his hands and he doesn't swing down! 

When you take the time to seriously evaluate what is actually happening in the swing process versus what you are teaching or being taught - you may be surprised.

 

---

It is training aids like these that go completely against the very grain of fundamental hitting mechanics and college coaches play a major role when it comes to influence of those in your community.

   

Here at ParkerTraining we urge you to take a closer look at what you are teaching when it comes to hitting.  If you are interested in more information and would like to work exclusively with Coach Parker, we offer an outstanding college package specifically designed for college coaches.  Take charge of your hitting program and give your players and the coaches in your community the very best that you can provide. 

If you are a college coach, I will send you "How I Teach It" for free. 

Just simply send me your name, email and college information.  

 

Coach Parker has a unique gift that combines excellent technical knowledge with a relation-based coaching style.  He understands the games and the athletes who play it and knows how to teach both.  Sparky is a coach of significance in his players lives.  

 

Bruce E. Brown

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics - Champions of Character Program

Proactive Coaching

Coachestraining@backbackback.com