The Start Pointis simply a position where the arms are straight out in front of the body with the bat held vertically. The GRIP is such that it allows the forearm load seen in the next step.
The Hand Load, done BEFORE you 'set' the hands, is of utmost importance. It limits the handset locations to those that will allow the energy from the body to go directly to the barrel turn.
The Handset is the most personal aspect of a swing. The one demonstrated here is not the normal handset for this hitter, but one seen frequently in high level hitters. We will discuss other handsets that you should experiment with to find what works best for you.
The Sit is the intial load of the rear hip and leg. It is NOT tilt. The goal is to create a 'rock solid' rear leg against which we will stretch the mechanism. Balance over the rear hip joint instead of against it is important.
The Stretch is the process of separating the hands from the rear hip. AS the already loaded hands are taken rearward, the lower body moves/turns forward. The 'rock solid' rear leg is what both stretch against. Maintaining balance directly over the rear hip joint is very important. Tilting forward over the plate upsets the balance and gravity puts a drag on the system. For each bit of rearward movement by the upper body, the lower body moves/turns forward, with the rear leg supporting the entire system. A tug of war takes place between the hands going rearward with the rear hip and back while the rear leg turns (tries to turn) forward. The true separation in a hitter (and a thrower) is IN THE REAR HIP SOCKET. It is between the rear hip and the rear leg. The REAR HIP and BACK pull/coil rearward against the Internal Rotation attempt of the rear leg. This resembles the wringing of a rag. And the result needs to be the rear LEG pulling,not pushing, the barrel through as the hands turn the barrel.
The Launch Step 5 and Step 6 can be looked at as one step. It is a seamless stretch and unstretch of the mechanism, against the rear leg, and is therefore called the overlap. When done properly the circular nature of the loading turns seamlessly into the circular nature of the unload, all around and over the rear hip and leg. To do this properly the weight must remain back and it only shifts as a result of the unload. Shifting first causes major problems in the swing. This stretch/unstretch action, with proper syncage between the upper and the lower body, produces the whip....the cusp....what I've termed the sudden "Launch and Spend".To deal with a quality pitchers arsenal, you must have early batspeed and the ability to adjust late. Only with the suddennes of the launch, created in the manner spoken of here, can you successfully handle all the things a quality pitcher does to you.
All Six Steps Combined
Making It Flow
How Did We Do In Our Manny Duplication Attempt?
How Did We Do In Our Barry Duplication Attempt?
Those of you who have seen Brandon's swing know that this loading pattern is not his normal one. We intentionally used a different handset and loading pattern to show how if the above steps are followed you will develop the underlying high level pattern, from which you can experiment to find YOUR ideal handset and loading pattern. But the important first step is to learn the high level pattern. Said differently, you have to learn the 2 engines and how they synce together to create the overlap....so that the rear hip/leg assembly PULLS the barrel. Now you can personalize it with some trial and error practice and live game at bats. Learning to hit comes in two stages. First you learn to swing. Then you learn to hit with that swing. To learn to swing you follow the above 6 steps. To learn to hit you take what you've learned from the 6 steps and experiment with handsets and loading patterns that work for you.
Here are some of his game hits. Each is a HR or a shot off the wall.
Notice in the above swings there are differences in degree of counter rotation, handset, barrel tip, posture, etc etc. Those were changes made to learn to HIT with the new SWING. There are many details that pertain to each element of the high level swing that are not covered in this Starter Pak. Giving you all the information at one time would overwhelm you. This is designed to get you started. To get you close. It is designed to get you 'in the ball park'. It is imperative that you make video clips of yourself doing each step and share them. I can assure you, if you provide video of your attempts I can figure out what is missing almost instantly. With honest effort you will swing within the pattern in a very short time. Learning the swing pattern is the hard part. That is the work. Learning to hit with that swing pattern is a lot of fun. So....get started. Give it your best shot. Check your ego at the door and allow the learning to begin.
