barrel/hand pivot point, a.k.a TTB

[julray]

Yes, I agree with the bold.

If you agree with that.. then you understand that you can get some really nasty top spin balls with an upward barrel path. That's just the way it is.

 

[TDS]

Hmm, a topspin forehand is tennis is nothing at all similar to a baseball swing that coming from "behind" the ball. It does however come from the top "down to" the tennis ball at the player tries to turn the racket over the top of the ball to put the topspin on the ball to spin down into the ground on the other side of the net quicker.

Actually, an actual swing "down to" the ball path has shown to cause not only more GBs, but also slicing too much of the back of the ball creating too much back spin and producing more pop ups.

No argument that MLB hitters talk about "hitting the top half of the ball", and if a hitter has the right mechanics, and correct barrel path to the ball that all MLB have, than that's not a problem. But if a developing hitter doesn't have the correct path, and tries to learn how to swing with the "down to", "hit the top half of the ball" mindset....they'll do just that, swing "down to" the hit the top half of the ball, and pound it into the dirt, or at best catches a LD with topspin that short hops an infielder at his feet, and scoots by him.

Disagree top spin is the result of a looping swing which could be caused by trying to swing up on the ball, or the top hand rolls over during contact.

Disagree on pounding into the dirt unless your attempting to do this !!!

Or abaf matching tewks where the down to is steep

Add in the correct leveraged hitting position and the barrel levels off during the down to.

 

[Mudders Brudder]

If you agree with that.. then you understand that you can get some really nasty top spin balls with an upward barrel path. That's just the way it is.

Yes, and that's why I don't teach "an upward (or downward) barrel path".

 

[TDS]

Also Mud, what would be your response to a hitter whose focus was on "get behind the ball" but continues to swing and miss or have inconsistent contact ?

 

[Mudders Brudder]

Disagree top spin is the result of a looping swing which could be caused by trying to swing up on the ball.

Only if the "swing up" was from a barrel starting around the hitter's knees or lower, which I've never seen any hitter at any level attempt. Now if you said excessive "backspin" from a "swing up" path, then I'd certainly agree with you.

Disagree on pounding into the dirt unless your attempting to do this !!

Yet there's coaches out there teaching/coaching kids to attempt exactly that as "practice", and none of these kids have a Bonds, Yelich, Arod, Pujols, or any other MLB hitter's swing who might be promoting it. Yes, maybe as a hitter's mindset at the plate IF the hitter already has the proper swing mechanics. But as a way or cue in teaching a developing hitter the correct barrel path or swing...not so much.

 

[Mudders Brudder]

Also Mud, what would be your response to a hitter whose focus was on "get behind the ball" but continues to swing and miss or have inconsistent contact ?

We'd look at video to see where or why s/he's missing or having inconsistent contact. Is it that their barrel path is incorrect? Is their path correct, but they're early or late on the ball? Or is it something else altogether?

Same question to you if they say that they..."feel" that they're swinging "down to" the ball, "but continue to swing and miss or have inconsistent contact?

 

[TDS]

Only if the "swing up" was from a barrel starting around the hitter's knees or lower, which I've never seen any hitter at any level attempt. Now if you said excessive "backspin" from a "swing up" path, then I'd certainly agree with you.

Yet there's coach out there teaching/coaching kids to attempt exactly that as "practice", and none of these kids have a Bonds, Yelich, Arod, Pujols, or any other MLB hitter's swing who might be promoting it. Yes, maybe as a hitter's mindset at the plate IF the hitter already has the proper swing mechanics. But as a way or cue in teaching a developing hitter the correct barrel path or swing...not so much.

Mud, I am guessing if you ever attempted the down to that all these guys speak of your swing was similar to Tewks is that correct ?

 

[TDS]

We'd look at video to see where or why s/he's missing or having inconsistent contact. Is it that their barrel path is incorrect? Is their path correct, but they're early or late on the ball? Or is it something else altogether?

So its mid game and no video what then ?

 

[Mudders Brudder]

Mud, I am guessing if you ever attempted the down to that all these guys speak of your swing was similar to Tewks is that correct ?

Sure, if that's what Tewks is really trying to do there. But his barrel path is incorrect going "down to" the ball, and the result I'd expect from someone with that path...myself included if that was what I was trying to do.

 

[julray]

Yes, and that's why I don't teach "an upward (or downward) barrel path".

The angle upward does not have to be so great as you think. In baseball, the bat surface is also curved, unlike a Tennis racket. That's why Tennis players angle a racket to help produce the spin they need. It doesn't take much, a slight upward spin will produce much more topspin then slight downward path.

Regardless.. you promote matching the plane of the pitch.. correct? "To and through" or "To and up through"?