Squish the Bug Redux

[sluggers]

As you may recall, a parent and I had a disagreement about "dual bug squishing"--which is swinging the bat and squishing the bug with both feet.

At an 8U game last week, the other's teams coach told a kid to "squish the bug" while demonstrating proper squishing technique. At the plate, the player showed excellent squish-the-bug form. She never got close to hitting the ball, but she could squish like no other.

 

[Gambler Bob]

I can understand many people telling a young hitter to squish the bug. In all honesty, that is what it looks like many great hitters are doing when they swing. The great hitters aren't actually trying to squish the bug but squishing the bug is more of a by product of driving the rear leg.

To be fair. I don't think I have ever heard of dual bug squishing. I have never heard of a person telling someone to squish the bug with the front foot.

 

[efastball]

As with most things in hitting, everything we were taught is backwards or destructive.

Good hitters actually do the opposite From bug squishing. They start with the back heel DOWN and keep it DOWN as long as possible.

 

[CoachCeetar]

Was this a spotted lantern fly PSA maybe?

 

[Work=wins]

As with most things in hitting, everything we were taught is backwards or destructive.

Good hitters actually do the opposite From bug squishing. They start with the back heel DOWN and keep it DOWN as long as possible.

Why? That’s not a popular opinion is it? I don’t see the reasoning behind this ‘heel resistance’ Enlighten me please

 

[Shawn]

Why? That’s not a popular opinion is it? I don’t see the reasoning behind this ‘heel resistance’ Enlighten me please

You never want the heel planted. You should be able to slide a credit card underneath the heel easily throughout the setup, load and stretch.

What is happening is the back foot is the foundation of the joystick up above. You don’t turn the back foot as in squash the bug to destroy the very foundation needed very the body to work correctly. Edit: The foot is the foundation of our connection with the earth. The pressure felt is direct result of this connection. What happens underneath the foot and above creates this pressure.

I once thought the heel remained planted as long as possible. It has merit only the heel isn’t where the pressure should be focused.



Slide the credit card. This hitter hit ‘s.

 

[Shawn]

The yellow is caution because you don’t want to collapse the foot or inner ankle bone. The yellow does need to be down.

 

[Work=wins]

So if we’re talking about heel resistance or locking down the hips. I get what you’re saying E. @efastball

 

[Cannonball]

What so many who teach squish the bug do not realize is that the hitter actually came up on their back toe before settling down back on the front of the foot.