Rotational Swing Outline

POSTURE

• • An athletic position to properly/efficiently set the swing plane and load the hips/shoulders
• • Correct grip. I like the feel of the top hand index finger "hooked" (see photo.)
  • Bat on shoulder (when pitcher begins motion hands should just come off shoulder a little bit--top of top hand no higher than bottom of ear) Hands any higher will cause batter to hit down on the ball=weak ground balls, if they can get to the pitch. Lower hands = quicker, less movement, more time to “see” the pitch.
  • Feet just a little wider than shoulders, weight even.
  • Tilt in slightly from the waist
  • Knees bent
  • Head toward the pitcher – see the pitcher with both eyes and avoid the blind spot, do not tilt head
  • Head and chin are vertical, not angled, with chin on shoulder
• • Trigger

CONNECTION

• • Connect the bat to the rotating torso rather than allowing the hands/arms to work independently of the power source. (Think of a spinning ice skater)
  • Scapula load, hips loading
• • Maintain the box - that is, the basic shape of the forearms, upper front arm, and shoulders remains very close to the same throughout the initial phases of the swing.
  • Back elbow in towards the body relaxed
  • Hands should be above the barrel of the bat
  • Load the core muscles - moving with the middle

ROTATION

• • You must swing from your center. Proper use of the pelvis.
  • Unload the loaded core muscles to turn body - moving with the middle
  • Hips lead the shoulders
  • Transfer the weight to a firm front foot - there is no “squishing the bug”.
  • The bat should remain perpendicular to your spine as you swing.
  • Belly button should end up facing the pitcher

Not saying it is 100% correct, there is always room for improvement, plus I am always searching for something better. This page may take a while to load.