Comments on: Off-Season Pro Baseball Training Protocol

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 19:49:16 +0000

i agree with you on educating yourself as much as possible. i like to be able to make things objective whenever possible, rather than just my opinion. there are certain fundamentals of movement that apply across the board, but each player’s ability to execute those differs, and part of coaching is adjusting and maximizing the player’s style and ability

By: Ike Guerrero

Ike Guerrero — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 03:09:11 +0000

Many players and fathers get caught up in ex-players teaching them what worked for them and what it felt like to them as explained by “Jeff” This is true you have to have an understanding of hitting and not just one view that worked for you but all views. Here at our acacdemy I make it a point to educate myslef on all styles of hitting. To believe that their is one surefire way to hit is absurd. Once a player chooses to become a hitting instructor no matter what the experience level you have to have the humility to understand that what worked for you will only take you so far. You have to step back and take the time to educate yourself. Parent and players that go to instructors must remeber that just because they played does not mean they can teach.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:26:27 +0000

by the way, Tony Gwynn's book has a couple photo's and description of his 'knob to the ball' and 'flat hands'. If you look at how he shows the flat hands, it has his hands near his front hip and the bat flat in the zone. Would be a couple frames of video before the photo that's shown on the cover.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:20:55 +0000

I’d say try not to get caught up in arguments about the difference between “feel” vs “real”. Most things I see on the internet are about people/coaches trying to explain what they believe is actually happening, whereas a lot of experienced coaches (especially the ex-players) are describing what the swing felt like to them.

In the video I just posted of Don Mattingly he shows a bit of what you describe with his bottom hand. But if you really know what he’s talking about, he has his lead arm lined up to the ball and takes a direct path. Of course the overhead view of the hands shows an arc, but the side view looks more direct when the path starts out.

The simplest thing I can say is that it is helpful to have as in-depth an understanding of mechanics as possible, but you still have to package it in a way that is simple and do-able for the player.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 04:04:10 +0000

I emailed you last year when you had your own swing video up and said you worked on turning more to generate power.
I have a question on mechanics. Jack Mankin over at batspeed.com talks about “top hand torque”. He claims great hitters swivel their top hand around (like turning a doorknob) to get the barrel around faster. In other words, his top hands knuckles are always pointing up throughout the swing. Tony Gwynn only talks about knob to the ball and flat hands. Mattingly straightens his arms and emphasizes hands to the ball while his knuckles point down to the ground at impact. In other words, Mattingly seemingly takes the back of his bottom hand toward the ball like a tennis backhand. Do you have any thoughts on this? We have a local hitting instructor named Jose Tolentino, a former MLBer with the Astors organization and head coach of the Mexican team at the WBC, who also preaches the tennis backhand approach. Thanks.

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Bratt Bat - Weighted Bat Hitting Drill | — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:13:59 +0000

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By: swingtraining.net » Mailbag #3 – rotational strength and bat speed training

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:51:16 +0000

[...] Also add some weighted implement training to your hitting routine. This is what is going to take your developing strength and transfer it into your actual swing. If you’re still playing at this point (in-season) just mix it in on the tee or soft toss. For more ideas for the off-season, see this post on off-season training. [...]