There are a lot of different ways to do it, we just need to find the specificity for the individual to train them that way to get the most out of them!
COACH THE INDIVIDUAL 🔊
Another reminder to players this season. Easy to get sucked in to negative talk when things get hard or we’re struggling. We chose a game where failure is always at the forefront.
1/1 I truly believe that the difference between average and good hitters is strike zone discipline. We can talk all we want about path and angles, but if you don’t swing at strikes and take balls, you cannot excel at a high level. I have tried strobe goggles, vision boards..
Paying attention in baseball is a skill. It’s not easy and is undervalued. Those that not only just watch, but pay attention to the game learn, adapt and make quicker adjustments.
Pay attention!
One of the most controversial cues out there. I used to be a see it deep guy, but I found over time it forces most guys to push the ball. Having them focus on attacking the ⚾️ out in front can actually clean up posture on all pitches & put them in a better position to do damage.
There are no quick fixes in this game! No one hitting guru or specific swing pattern is the answer for all. This is a process of finding whatever works for the individual!
@LattaDoug
helped him unlock that, but how many tried before!? It still takes work...
This is a 70/30 wrapped drill. 70% of the weight starts on the front side simulating being out in front, but proving you can still turn behind it and give yourself a chance rather than break your swing down. “Wrap” means at your firing position (slot) when front foot is down.
It’s hard to make swing changes in season, but we can always bring awareness to balance. The bosu between the legs gives immediate feedback to the player on timing, balance & contact point w/o much feedback from a coach. The knee tap after the swing allows a ✅ if they are in COM
You can have a great swing, but if you don’t have a plan it won’t matter. This man knows how teams are trying to attack him yet he refuses to give in to what he is trying to do!
Slashed .313/.465 with .999 OPS
Had a 145/93 walk to k ratio 👀
IMO a hitter should make everyone a two-pitch pitcher. Be on time w/ the FB & adjust to the 2nd most thrown pitch. Simplify your plan & stack the odds in your favor. If you look for 3 to 4 different pitches in an AB you will struggle. It’s a mind game of chess with the pitcher.
Bat in between drill great for multiple feels. Hands getting past the pelvis attacking out front & having the back hip peel the back foot off the ground. Helps with direction avoiding any front side moves. Simple and anyone can do it.
Pictured
@benjamin_cowles
18 HR’s in 2021.
3/3 I like this because it’s tangible to daily work. I don’t have to say anything, I just throw regular BP & get the feedback. This is new for our program, so I don’t have a strong feeling yet, but I’m adamant about training the brain to make quicker & better decisions.
Ole Peter fighting against the front side move, stops the hips efficiently & kicks back. Watch the recoil of the back hip and foot after contact ⬅️ & ⬇️. The energy has to be dispersed somewhere. We don’t want it leaking to pull side w/ front side or spin moves.
#MarylandMade
My favorite cue to engage the glutes and hammies “Front foot under the front hip”. 🔑 for the forward move KMI. Helps avoid shifting back, controls forward move while storing energy properly on back side. Always agreed with
@LattaDoug
that timing and balance is CRUCIAL!
Went from sending normal hitting videos to team, tweeting about timing and landing in Dallas to take on TCU, to a team meeting that our season is cancelled. So many questions, but a very sad day for all. Thoughts and prayers to those affected. 😢
If your movement is not on time or efficient, it doesn’t matter what type of swing you have. Being on time is the only thing you can control every single pitch. Worry less about mechanics in-season & get on time. You will make better decisions. Slow is smooth & smooth is fast!
We’re back to back B1G Ten Conference Champs!
Hasn’t been done in over 52 years at Maryland.
We’re so thankful for the support from our families, friends, administration and fans!
#DirtyTerps
🏆
Foam pad swings are a great way to get into the ground. You can see his back foot swivel (torque force) during forward move.
Set up the ball of your foot on the pad while your heel is on the ground.
Great to have
@LaMonteWadeJr
back!
#DirtyTerps
Good step back tee drill for guys that jump at the baseball, don’t store energy in back hip or struggle to understand sequence. Have them apply some force on the step back. Can use this variation for med ball throws as well.
#DirtyTerps
Hold the ground rounds (back foot stays anchored) are great for guys that are engine heavy, spin and slide in the fwd move. Immediate feedback for stability in the middle, with the ground and hands outracing pelvis.
#DirtyTerps
#Anchors
⚓️
@Lukeshligerr
You want to see if guys move from the middle & get the barrel square? Take the ground away from them & see if they move reciprocally.
Farm boards are made by
@thefarmsystem
Front foot ➡️
Back foot ⬅️
Pictured
@LaMonteWadeJr
18 HR’s this year with
@SFGiants
Fantastic video of a half swing to full swing. Clear focus on holding his line with the double mat visual and attacking the baseball out in front for clean hand pattern. Great variation training for players with their rhythm.
Slow is smooth and smooth is quick! That half swing finish through ball looking good. Game changer for guys that pull off, swing too hard, over rotate, or those that may have been hyper focused just on bat speed in the past. Been good for JD, Mookie, Trout, Votto & many more.
These messages make me cringe, launch angle at 10 yrs old smh. When kids are this young the focus should be on having fun, learning the game & putting them in athletic positions to succeed, thats it!
Getting technical with a 10 yr old will have him out of the game in no time.
Didn’t end the way we wanted, but history was made! So proud of our team. The
#DirtyTerps
mashed!
Program records set:
Home Runs (137)
Hits (683)
Runs (572)
RBI’s (534)
Slugging % (.564)
Walks (337)
Doubles (143)
Individual HR’s (Alleyne, 24)
Individual Runs (Shliger, 79)
Despite my fascination with biomechanics and the swing, timing and zone discipline with always be 👑.
“The greatest difference between a major and minor league batsman is their judgement on the strike zone.” Branch Rickey
Bosu drill to feel proper balance in legs @ launch. Good for those that get stuck on backside, dive or spin.
Set up is key, here we have an over rotation of upper half to start which will promote front side move. Have that front shoulder match the front hip. Got from
@MonteLeeCU
Controls back hip during fwd mov ☑️
Lands to a balanced 50/50 ☑️
Pelvis and trunk stay closed ☑️
Bat works under the shoulders ☑️
OPPO TACO 💣
*peep the kickback and belt buckle*
Good drill to help w/ spacing to start the sequence. Benefits include:
🔸Proper set up (front shoulder matching front hip)
🔸Organic sequence from the middle of the body
🔸Creating space for barrel to work through the middle of the field
*Helps avoid over rotation of shoulders
Marcelino swings are good for guys that have a negative move backward, guys that have excessive loads and struggle with keeping good posture.
Stole and named after Brad Marcelino.
#DirtyTerps
AJ Lee of
@astros
putting in work before he heads to ST2021.
▫️Early controlled timing
▫️Lands balanced w/ + posture
▫️Attacking ⚾️ out front
#ProTerps
coming soon
Having a quality swing is important, but so many other things go into making you a good hitter!
Plan, Approach, Movement, Timing, Zone Discipline, Mental Game, Routines……
How you integrate these w/ specificity & simplicity to each individual player matters!
•Great mechanics, not on time= no chance
•Bad mechanics, on time= 🥊 chance
Clearly swing mechanics are important and can make you more efficient in your movements, but they will NEVER supersede timing (being on time).
A few warm-up drills I like to get the body moving from the middle.
Farm board med ball throws:
Sequence from middle
Swivel
Throw/Attack out front
Board made by
@thefarmsystem
Performed by
@LaMonteWadeJr
Are guys having trouble with the feeling of getting into their back hip and not swaying back? If so, use this “hook” tee drill. Make sure their back nipple is over their back knee to start.
#Posture
#Balance
#DirtyTerps
Had a great call tonight with
@LattaDoug
about hitting. I respect his ability to communicate what he believes & why, but isn’t bull headed forcing you to do something like a lot of hitting twitter. If you’re open minded, in the game to learn & help others, we can change the game!
What a road to the draft for Bubba:
2018: .080/.207/.080
2019: .223/.337/.412
2020: .333/.413/.500
2021: .306/.409/.561
2022: .331/.422/.673, 24 HR, 16 2B, 79 RBIs, 73 R. 24 SB.
Made himself into an All-American.
The team that gives him a chance next week won’t regret it.
Med ball sequence from middle of our body with the farm board from
@farm_system
Keys: soft shoulders, organic sequence, avoid swaying back, engage glutes/hammies and attack out in front.
We always start the day with some type of med ball movement prep.
1/2 Feed the mistake! Partner assisted bands to the pull side are great for hitters that pull off the baseball with shoulders, hips, stepping in the bucket or jump at the baseball. This will force them to get grounded and store that energy correctly.
There is no one way to hit! Hitters do not all get to the same positions to succeed. We use data and narrative all while losing site of the individual and their needs.
The mental game, S & C and the technical gestures of the game all must be aligned to the individuals needs!
Good for path feels and backchaining. Have them push and dump the barrel to feel the difference between bad and good paths before you slow the reps down and do it properly.
@tidaltank
Had a player from New York City tell me he has never heard of
@WuTangClan
today!
I’m offering
@UofMaryland
to teach music 101 for free! These things are necessities and the joys of life.
Randy Bednar Jr. is jacked and back in the lab!
▪️Foam swings forces swivel/screw into the ground 🔁
He’s trying to work on eliminating negative move backward and compress more down to go. I like the Trout step over on a few.
#ProTerps
#Seattle
#Mariners
#MLB