So I am new to the forum and have been noticing a lot of posts about not "squishing the bug". But, I cant find any post about WHY to not do this. Most of the coaches that I have worked with, have taught this. 2 of them have been coaches for 30+ years and are coaching at a local 2 year college.
Bug Squishing, why not?
- Thread starter CoachHarley
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- Jun 18, 2010
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I wish I could give proper credit to the author, but I just copy/pasted and added it to my notes:
Bug squishing is free spinning of the rear leg, or basically inefficient use of the rear leg.
Bug squishing is free spinning of the rear leg, or basically inefficient use of the rear leg.
- Jun 18, 2010
- 2,615
- 38
- Jun 18, 2010
- 2,615
- 38
Also posted by RHC in the above mentioned thread:
- May 17, 2012
- 2,803
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A simpler explanation is do you squish the bug when you throw?
I think not. Why is that?
I think not. Why is that?
If you squish the bug you're just spinning on the back leg. You're not creating power. Quality hitters drive their bodies into the ball. Bug squishers just sit on their backsides, driving no power from the lower body forward.
Not surprised that coaches with 30 years of experience would say to squish the bug. That's how hitting was taught 30 years ago. But it hasn't been taught that way, at least by anyone who has studied what really goes on during the swing, for at least the last 10.
Always be suspicious of anyone whose "how-to" videos are on VHS.
Not surprised that coaches with 30 years of experience would say to squish the bug. That's how hitting was taught 30 years ago. But it hasn't been taught that way, at least by anyone who has studied what really goes on during the swing, for at least the last 10.
Always be suspicious of anyone whose "how-to" videos are on VHS.
redhotcoach
Out on good behavior
- May 8, 2009
- 4,698
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I also often compare bugsquishing to a burnout. Most bug squisher have a locked out or even a early push back of the front leg. So they just "burnout", no weight shifting, no "launch".
I do like Howard and SL's cue of "land with a bent front leg...or soft front leg...or like your foot is landing on ice."
I do like Howard and SL's cue of "land with a bent front leg...or soft front leg...or like your foot is landing on ice."
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FiveFrameSwing
Banned
It was only about 15 years ago that Mike Candrea was teaching bug squishing.
When you get old all the years kind of run together. I recently had a guy out to look at my water heater because the pilot light wouldn't stay lit. I was thinking it was about 6 years old. He looked at the badge on it and said it was from 2002. Oh well.
