QuestionJohn,
My son is a 10 year old, and is a pretty consistent hitter. However, there are many times where he doesn't seem to generate enough power in hitting the ball. The coaches on the team say there are many factors but the biggest factor is that is hips do not seem open up as much as they should be. One father told me that an easy adjustment my son can make is to pivot both feet as he swings to release his hips and get more power on his swing. I had always thought that the front foot is pretty much static with only the back foot pivoting (i.e. squishing the bug). I also know that another method employed to open the hips is to either lift the front foot or slide the foot forward just before the ball arrives. I know the latter two are more difficult due to timing. Any suggestions on rotation of the hips for power? Thanks in advance. jay
AnswerJay,
Pivoting both feet will make the hips open up more, but it will also pull your head and front shoulder out. The front foot should always stay closed. It should start pointing to home plate and never open more the 45 degrees. Pivoting the front foot will not give you more power. The front side needs to be firm when hitting. It the toe opens power will be reduced because the front side will be loose and the backside will have nothing to rotate against. You are correct by only pivoting the back foot.
Using a step will not give more power, but it will help with timing. If you try to use the step for power it will most likely make you move forward to the pitcher making for a more linear swing and less of a rotational swing. The step just gets the body ready and helps with the load. Keeping the step short, quick, and low to the ground is all you need. If no step is used than the timing comes from the rotation because it is the next movement. I usually don't like the hips to control timing because that is where your power and bat speed will come from.
To gain power through the rotation, don't think its just the hips. The rotation starts with the back foot, then the back knee, then the back hip, and then the back shoulder. Since the back foot starts the rotation it needs to be quick. For it to be quick the front foot needs to be closed and firm, so you can turn against it. Also balance will help with rotation. Balance should start equal on both feet. Go slightly back with the step, then back to being balanced on contact. If you are too far out front than the rotation will be slower. Also the balance should be on the balls of the feet and not the heels.
Sometimes this is hard to explain in writing, but what I am trying to explain is rotational mechanics of hitting. Rotational mechanics will utilize the rotation and lead the hands and arms to the ball. During this style of swing the rotation does all the work while the swing is just the finish.
Let me know if I need to explain anything further. If you can send me a picture of you son in his stance, and another just before contact or at contact I would be able to help further. This is because their is more to it than just rotation that will help power.
Thank You,
John Priest
Nokona Batman
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