When most people describe a baseball swing, they define it as a single movement. The reality is that becoming a good hitter requires you to organize chaotic movements throughout the swing process.
I’ve been successful in developing my hitters because I break the swing down into six parts. Like your body, each part of the swing plays a role that affects how your swing functions. Look at it this way: If a part of your body is injured or you’re sick, you won’t function the same as you do when you’re well. You target the injury, so you can fix it, get well and be healthy again. By the same token, if your swing is broken, you must target the part that’s broken so it can function properly. This will help you get the results you desire.
Following is a look at Diamond Directors’ six-part swing process:
Part 1 – The Stance
To find your ideal stance, it’s important to set up properly in the batter’s box. This will help you cover the plate with an efficient approach. Hand and feet alignment, and good posture are important techniques to remember.
Part 2 – The Load
During your load, remember to trigger your hands back and keep your body centered while your front foot strides forward to meet the width of the bat. To properly track the ball, this must be done correctly and on time.
Part 3 – The Approach
During your approach, it’s important to maintain the hand path you established in your stance. Remember that your back foot and hands work together to direct the bat while your front foot remains closed.
Part 4 – Contact
During contact, you must align your head, back shoulder, back hip and back knee with the ground. If your posture is good, you’ll be in an ideal position to get good extension.
Part 5 – Extension
Good extension is produced when your body is balanced enough for your top hand to work outward. Good tempo is crucial because it gives you the opportunity to extend regardless of pitch speed, location and type.
Part 6 – The Finish
A good finish will enable you to get good extension. Your finish should end up above your shoulder with either one or two hands. If you finish below your shoulders, it will cause an unnecessary rotation and length during the approach phase, which ultimately limits the extension you need.
Understanding the six parts of your swing will not only help you properly build the swing you need, but it will also enable you to identify the source of the problem. Start developing your swing now so that you can properly maintain it in the future.
BIO:
C.J. Stewart has built a reputation as one of the leading professional hitting instructors in the country. He is a former professional baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization and has also served as an area scout for the Cincinnati Reds. As founder and CEO of Diamond Directors Player Development, CJ has more than 12 years of player development experience and has built an impressive list of clients including, some of the top young prospects in baseball today. If your desire is to change your game for the better, C.J Stewart has a proven system of development and track record of success that can work for you.
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