Hey guys,
Sorry I've been away for a while. I've been super busy. In today's post, I want to talk about something that is a little different in the minds of other coaches than it is in mine. Too many youth coaches and even high school coaches have no idea how to make a batting order. You see 95% of teams with their order going from best hitters to worst hitters and that just can't be the case if you want maximum production from your lineup. What I want to do is just go from spots one to nine in the order and describe the types of hitters that should be in these spots. Here we go:
1- Most coaches get this one right, because it's easy. You want a guy with great discipline, speed, and contact abilities in your lead off spot. It also won't hurt to have a little power here. Nothing shuts a pitcher down more than a double in the gap to start the game. The main thing is he has to be a ball player. He has to be able to do everything with the bat.
2- This needs to be a guy who can go the other way well. Hopefully your leadoff man is on base and the 2 hitter has the chance to move him over or drive him in. He needs to have the ability to play small ball and it doesn't hurt to have speed. Once again, this guy needs to be one of your more rounded baseball players, at least in the hitting department.
3- He needs to mash. Strikeouts are at a minimum, average is high, and power production is high. This is your team's best hitter.
4- Similar to the 3 hitter, but your cleanup guy has a little more leeway for strikeouts and maybe a little lower average. Only slightly!
5- Another power guy, but maybe not polished enough to be in the 3 or 4 slots. He might have lower power numbers, but make sure he can get hits, because this is not a place where you want outs.
6- Do you have that guy on your team that when he hits it it goes, but otherwise he strikes out? We all do, and this is the spot for him.
7- Contrary to popular belief this is your weakest hitter. It's a great spot for him, because more often than not your 7 hitter isn't starting or ending an inning. Have a guy who can bunt here.
8- Here's where I get a little weird, but it's proven many times to work in my lineups. I have my second leadoff man in the eight spot. If you don't have a guy with speed, have a guy who doesn't strikeout in this spot. He needs to have a high on base percentage.
9- Obviously this is your second 2 hitter. The purpose of the 8 and 9 spots being a second 1 and 2 hitter is that you are rolling the order back over. The key to the big inning is being able to roll the order back around. You see most coaches body language change to, "well crap, this inning is done," when they get to 8 and 9, but the key to burying a team is to have a strong bottom so you can crush them with your top again.
Try this type of lineup out. You can literally try it anywhere; fantasy, video games, little league games, or anywhere else you are making out a lineup. It will give you the most statistical production every time.
Tip of the day: Make your lineup according to the talent that you have on your team. If your team doesn't have the talent to produce the order above then don't waste your time. Just get the most production you can out of the top of your lineup.
Thanks!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
The Types of Loads
Hey Guys,
As promised, I wanted to tie the different types of loads into the last article. The type of load that you do is a timing mechanism. It really serves no other purpose. There is no answer to, "what's the best load?" Some guys like to be real quiet in their swing and others like to be very loud. It just depends on you and the type of hitter that you are:
The Stride: The most common of the loads; You see most guys use the stride as their load because they are able to easily get into the athletic position we talked about in the last article. This load can be performed out of an open, closed, or square stance. You simply stride your foot forward. You can look at many major league hitters on Youtube, but I think the best is Albert Pujols. Many people think that he is a no stride guy, but he actually does take a small stride.
No Stride: This is a more uncommon load, because most hitters do not have the athleticism to get their hips loaded while not taking a stride. To perform this load, you have to take your hips back away from your front leg to be able to properly use them in the swing. This load can only be performed out of the square stance. A great guy to watch for an example of this load is Jim Edmonds.
Leg Kick: Guys with good balance can use the leg kick in which the leg is pulled upward off the ground and then put back down. The difference between this and the stride is that the knee is pulled upward in the leg kick. This load can also be performed out of any of the stance styles. The guy to watch for an example of this load would be Alex Rodriguez. He does an awesome job of staying balanced so he's a good one to look at.
Toe Tap: A very athletic load that really gets your hips working in the swing. It can be performed out of any of the stance styles. In this load the front foot travels backwards, taps the ground, then gains ground forward. (hence toe tap) The most legendary of the toe tappers is Sammy Sosa. He performed the load out of an almost square stance. If you want to watch a guy perform it out of an open stance, the Chipper Jones is your guy.
These are just the most common loads. You can do anything you want to get your hips ready to hit on time with the pitch, but these are the ones that we see all the time in hitters. Make sure that the load that you choose to use is something that will not disrupt your timing. It has to be comfortable and natural for you. A load that is not comfortable with will lead to a lower batting average and less power. I can promise you that. Try them all out and let me know what you guys think. I'm glad to help with any video analysis or anything like that for explanation.
Tip of the Day: Know and accept your athleticism. Too many guys think that they are way more athletic than they are. In relation to the load the less athletic guys need to go with the quieter loads. It doesn't mean that you won't hit as well, it just means that timing up a pitch isn't as natural for you. You won't see very many of the less athletic players using a toe tap. For example, Albert Pujols: He's the best pure hitter in the game right now, but he is not as athletic as many of the other players in the major leagues, and it shows in his load. He's a simple stride guy. But him knowing and accepting his athleticism has led to his unprecedented success.
Hope it helps! Until next time!
As promised, I wanted to tie the different types of loads into the last article. The type of load that you do is a timing mechanism. It really serves no other purpose. There is no answer to, "what's the best load?" Some guys like to be real quiet in their swing and others like to be very loud. It just depends on you and the type of hitter that you are:
The Stride: The most common of the loads; You see most guys use the stride as their load because they are able to easily get into the athletic position we talked about in the last article. This load can be performed out of an open, closed, or square stance. You simply stride your foot forward. You can look at many major league hitters on Youtube, but I think the best is Albert Pujols. Many people think that he is a no stride guy, but he actually does take a small stride.
No Stride: This is a more uncommon load, because most hitters do not have the athleticism to get their hips loaded while not taking a stride. To perform this load, you have to take your hips back away from your front leg to be able to properly use them in the swing. This load can only be performed out of the square stance. A great guy to watch for an example of this load is Jim Edmonds.
Leg Kick: Guys with good balance can use the leg kick in which the leg is pulled upward off the ground and then put back down. The difference between this and the stride is that the knee is pulled upward in the leg kick. This load can also be performed out of any of the stance styles. The guy to watch for an example of this load would be Alex Rodriguez. He does an awesome job of staying balanced so he's a good one to look at.
Toe Tap: A very athletic load that really gets your hips working in the swing. It can be performed out of any of the stance styles. In this load the front foot travels backwards, taps the ground, then gains ground forward. (hence toe tap) The most legendary of the toe tappers is Sammy Sosa. He performed the load out of an almost square stance. If you want to watch a guy perform it out of an open stance, the Chipper Jones is your guy.
These are just the most common loads. You can do anything you want to get your hips ready to hit on time with the pitch, but these are the ones that we see all the time in hitters. Make sure that the load that you choose to use is something that will not disrupt your timing. It has to be comfortable and natural for you. A load that is not comfortable with will lead to a lower batting average and less power. I can promise you that. Try them all out and let me know what you guys think. I'm glad to help with any video analysis or anything like that for explanation.
Tip of the Day: Know and accept your athleticism. Too many guys think that they are way more athletic than they are. In relation to the load the less athletic guys need to go with the quieter loads. It doesn't mean that you won't hit as well, it just means that timing up a pitch isn't as natural for you. You won't see very many of the less athletic players using a toe tap. For example, Albert Pujols: He's the best pure hitter in the game right now, but he is not as athletic as many of the other players in the major leagues, and it shows in his load. He's a simple stride guy. But him knowing and accepting his athleticism has led to his unprecedented success.
Hope it helps! Until next time!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Is There a Correct Stride Length?
Okay,
So today I wanted to talk about something that is taught a whole bunch of different ways out there. The stride length of your load phase. Now there are a lot of new school thinkers popping up around there that are teaching what I am (which is right), but there are still the old schoolers who think that there is an answer to the stride length. It really isn't clear cut. The stride has to be different for every hitter. It drives me crazy when I listen to hitting coaches preach a 3 inch stride or a six inch stride or a no stride approach. How about we let the hitter do what works for him, but perfect it? Now, I am not saying that every stride you could possibly think of is good. There are definitely some things to watch out for.
The No No's:
These are a little off topic, but it's never too early to eliminate these awful habits. I will talk more about these and tie all of it together with a later piece on the different types of loads.
1. Bat wrap- Too many guys think because a couple of major league hitters can get away with wrapping the bat way around their head that they can do the same. Most of the time, you can't. It's no secret that it lengthens your path to the ball. Unless you're an absolute stud, I would recommend that you stay away from it. And even if you are that absolute stud, I'd tell you to kick the habit because a top level pitcher will get you out 99% of the time.
2. Too much Negative movement of the Head- I'm not saying that you don't need to move negatively into the ball, because you definitely do. But do it with your hips. Have your hips travel backward in your load and try and keep your head movement as minimal as possible. The rock-back loads are fine, but once you start letting your head travel way back and then forward again, you will find yourself not squaring the ball up as much.
3. Keeping Your Front Foot Closed- Yep, I said it. It may be the most controversial thing that I preach, but give me a minute and it will make sense. My theory is load with your big toe pointed at first base. (slightly open) Why? It allows your hips to travel a few inches further around your axis of rotation. (the line down the middle of your body that you rotate on) If you don't think that those extra few inches will give your more power through the baseball, let me pose you this question. Does a shot putter keep his front foot closed as he throws the shot put? No! He gets everything that he possibly can out of his hips and lower half. Obviously, we can't spin around like shot putters, but I think we can get a little more out of the lower half by opening it up slightly and allowing it to rotate further.
*I struggled to find a hitter in the load position, but here's a picture of Prince at contact. Look at that front foot pointed right at third base. (It would be first for a righty)
The Stride:
Like I said before, there are too many hitters trying to clone the load phases of swings. Hitters need to stride based on how their stance is. The proper stride length is actually very simple. Narrow stance hitters such as Babe Ruth or Ichiro will take a rather large stride, possibly a foot or more. Moderately wide hitters such as Alex Rodriguez or a guy like Manny Ramirez will take a middle of the road stride, and a very wide hitter like Albert Pujols will take little to no stride. The common denominator is that they all load to the athletic position. You know, stand like you're guarding someone in basketball, then pick up the bat. That's the position where your body produces optimum power.
The Main Point:
The main point is that there is no set in stone way to get to the athletic, loaded position. No matter what hitting coach tells you there is, it's just flat out wrong. I touched on the phases of the load very little, but will put out another piece on the different types of loads to tie this all together. I wanted the main focus to be on the stride. Try these different things out, see what works for you, and mash the baseball.
Tip of the Day: Find a stance and a stride that you are comfortable with and go with it. Do not constantly change the stance and the stride, because it will constantly change the muscle memory of the swing. Chances are if you had a bad day, unless you have severe problems, it wasn't your stance or your stride that caused it.
Thanks!
So today I wanted to talk about something that is taught a whole bunch of different ways out there. The stride length of your load phase. Now there are a lot of new school thinkers popping up around there that are teaching what I am (which is right), but there are still the old schoolers who think that there is an answer to the stride length. It really isn't clear cut. The stride has to be different for every hitter. It drives me crazy when I listen to hitting coaches preach a 3 inch stride or a six inch stride or a no stride approach. How about we let the hitter do what works for him, but perfect it? Now, I am not saying that every stride you could possibly think of is good. There are definitely some things to watch out for.
The No No's:
These are a little off topic, but it's never too early to eliminate these awful habits. I will talk more about these and tie all of it together with a later piece on the different types of loads.
1. Bat wrap- Too many guys think because a couple of major league hitters can get away with wrapping the bat way around their head that they can do the same. Most of the time, you can't. It's no secret that it lengthens your path to the ball. Unless you're an absolute stud, I would recommend that you stay away from it. And even if you are that absolute stud, I'd tell you to kick the habit because a top level pitcher will get you out 99% of the time.
2. Too much Negative movement of the Head- I'm not saying that you don't need to move negatively into the ball, because you definitely do. But do it with your hips. Have your hips travel backward in your load and try and keep your head movement as minimal as possible. The rock-back loads are fine, but once you start letting your head travel way back and then forward again, you will find yourself not squaring the ball up as much.
*I struggled to find a hitter in the load position, but here's a picture of Prince at contact. Look at that front foot pointed right at third base. (It would be first for a righty)
The Stride:
Like I said before, there are too many hitters trying to clone the load phases of swings. Hitters need to stride based on how their stance is. The proper stride length is actually very simple. Narrow stance hitters such as Babe Ruth or Ichiro will take a rather large stride, possibly a foot or more. Moderately wide hitters such as Alex Rodriguez or a guy like Manny Ramirez will take a middle of the road stride, and a very wide hitter like Albert Pujols will take little to no stride. The common denominator is that they all load to the athletic position. You know, stand like you're guarding someone in basketball, then pick up the bat. That's the position where your body produces optimum power.
The Main Point:
The main point is that there is no set in stone way to get to the athletic, loaded position. No matter what hitting coach tells you there is, it's just flat out wrong. I touched on the phases of the load very little, but will put out another piece on the different types of loads to tie this all together. I wanted the main focus to be on the stride. Try these different things out, see what works for you, and mash the baseball.
Tip of the Day: Find a stance and a stride that you are comfortable with and go with it. Do not constantly change the stance and the stride, because it will constantly change the muscle memory of the swing. Chances are if you had a bad day, unless you have severe problems, it wasn't your stance or your stride that caused it.
Thanks!
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Okay,
So I promised a good pitching article today so here we go:
It's a great way to increase your velocity and control. The secret is throwing away the balance point. This old school way of thinking is flat out wrong. The pitching motion needs to be one fluid motion. Sure you have to be balanced throughout your motion but stopping with your leg up in the air is just pointless. It all goes back to the old "an object in motion tends to stay in motion" thing. Well it's true. If you're stopping in your motion at any point you are shutting down your velocity and may throw off your control depending on how balanced you are in your "balance point". If you have an old school coach teaching this, I am not saying he's a bad coach, I am just saying try it. Try taking all the jerks and stops out of your motion and see what you think. Let me know. Give me some feedback. It's a theory that I want some feedback on other than the new school guys that are teaching it. Please feel free to post questions on my page. I'll be back next time with an article on the stance and stride in relation to hitting.
Thanks!
Tip of the Day: The best thing for your arm health and developing arm strength is long toss. There is no secret to adding strength and keeping your arm healthy. THROW! No weight program will help you develop arm strength. I don't care what they tell you. If you live in an area where you can't throw all year round then get ahold of an orthopedic band and work that rotator cuff. That's the second best thing you can do for your arm if you can't throw.
Until next time!
So I promised a good pitching article today so here we go:
It's a great way to increase your velocity and control. The secret is throwing away the balance point. This old school way of thinking is flat out wrong. The pitching motion needs to be one fluid motion. Sure you have to be balanced throughout your motion but stopping with your leg up in the air is just pointless. It all goes back to the old "an object in motion tends to stay in motion" thing. Well it's true. If you're stopping in your motion at any point you are shutting down your velocity and may throw off your control depending on how balanced you are in your "balance point". If you have an old school coach teaching this, I am not saying he's a bad coach, I am just saying try it. Try taking all the jerks and stops out of your motion and see what you think. Let me know. Give me some feedback. It's a theory that I want some feedback on other than the new school guys that are teaching it. Please feel free to post questions on my page. I'll be back next time with an article on the stance and stride in relation to hitting.
Thanks!
Tip of the Day: The best thing for your arm health and developing arm strength is long toss. There is no secret to adding strength and keeping your arm healthy. THROW! No weight program will help you develop arm strength. I don't care what they tell you. If you live in an area where you can't throw all year round then get ahold of an orthopedic band and work that rotator cuff. That's the second best thing you can do for your arm if you can't throw.
Until next time!
Monday, January 14, 2013
Hey guys,
I apologize for the long break. With the holidays and everything else, I have been very busy. Today I wanted to talk about a very important aspect in the game of baseball. No it's not about hitting or pitching or defense. It's about translating your off the field behavior into your on field play. I have heard too many stories lately of guys in all sports lately making horrible decisions off the field that affect their play and many times end their career. Often times the guy who does things right off the field goes forgotten. He's not the cool kid out at parties and hanging out with all of the best looking girls. No, he's the freak who stays home and studies so he can have a better future. He's the guy who spends hours in the cage rather than hours out doing stupid things with his friends. That guys goes unforgotten, maybe for a long time. If you've seen the movie "Trouble with the Curve" you'll understand my reference. Bo Gentry is the all star ball player in the movie wanted by all the big league clubs. Quite honestly, he's a pest. He's got all the tools, but is a horrible teammate and acts like a jackass off the field. Forgive me, but I only remember him as "peanut boy" is the kid in the movie who works for his mom so much and studies so much that he can't play baseball, but secretly he pumps 95 from the left side. It's a perfect example of the forgotten, and in this case, not even known worker. And of course in the end Gentry pays for his act with peanut boy striking him out time after time and signing a pro contract. For all you kids out there that want to act like an idiot, but then get paid the big bucks for whatever it is you dream of, ask yourself this: Who do I look up to? More often than not, you find kids looking up to the guy who does it right off the field, because he's having the most success, not only in his profession, but in his life as well. I'm sorry that I had to stray from baseball a little bit, but it was really on my mind and I think it can be very beneficial to any aged player. I'll be back tomorrow with a piece on pitching that you won't want to miss.
Thanks!
I apologize for the long break. With the holidays and everything else, I have been very busy. Today I wanted to talk about a very important aspect in the game of baseball. No it's not about hitting or pitching or defense. It's about translating your off the field behavior into your on field play. I have heard too many stories lately of guys in all sports lately making horrible decisions off the field that affect their play and many times end their career. Often times the guy who does things right off the field goes forgotten. He's not the cool kid out at parties and hanging out with all of the best looking girls. No, he's the freak who stays home and studies so he can have a better future. He's the guy who spends hours in the cage rather than hours out doing stupid things with his friends. That guys goes unforgotten, maybe for a long time. If you've seen the movie "Trouble with the Curve" you'll understand my reference. Bo Gentry is the all star ball player in the movie wanted by all the big league clubs. Quite honestly, he's a pest. He's got all the tools, but is a horrible teammate and acts like a jackass off the field. Forgive me, but I only remember him as "peanut boy" is the kid in the movie who works for his mom so much and studies so much that he can't play baseball, but secretly he pumps 95 from the left side. It's a perfect example of the forgotten, and in this case, not even known worker. And of course in the end Gentry pays for his act with peanut boy striking him out time after time and signing a pro contract. For all you kids out there that want to act like an idiot, but then get paid the big bucks for whatever it is you dream of, ask yourself this: Who do I look up to? More often than not, you find kids looking up to the guy who does it right off the field, because he's having the most success, not only in his profession, but in his life as well. I'm sorry that I had to stray from baseball a little bit, but it was really on my mind and I think it can be very beneficial to any aged player. I'll be back tomorrow with a piece on pitching that you won't want to miss.
Thanks!
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