PROVIDING COACHING SUPPORTS TO YOUNG ATHLETES AND PARENTS
Explore concepts that support movement, cognitive development, hitting for young athletes
and foster a love for the game
Vertical Turn 88
Purpose Of the Website
When the Best Do the Simplest
Control the Controlables
The primary goal of our site is to look at movement and athleticism as it is connected to hitting. Our aim is to uncover the essential skills that contribute to becoming a dynamic athlete. And to encourage curiosity by asking questions and reasoning out the why behind hitting. On our site we are going to look at swings of all types.
The primary goal of our site is to look at movement and athleticism as it is connected to hitting. Our aim is to uncover the essential skills that contribute to becoming a dynamic athlete. And to encourage curiosity by asking questions and reasoning out the why behind hitting. On our site we are going to look at swings of all types.
The barrel of the bat starts at or above the rear shoulder, but how does a hitter move it down to make contact with the pitch? How does a batter's grip have a fairly significant impact on how a hitter moves? On the pages to follow we'll look at these questions.
Learning moves that blend gravity and momentum can get your swing trending in the right direction. We are all subject to gravity, how can one monetize this force not let it bankrupt you. Momentum allows our movements to be more 'predictable' and dynamic.
We'll do our best to frame concepts in a way that can resonate for a developing hitter. We provide examples and counterexamples to highlight teaching points for newer players/families. And written explanations, so an experienced player can start to 'rehearse' the moves in their mind as they read.
Some underlying skills we'll look at on this site include time cognition and spatial awareness. Whether you are a young player discovering your swing, a more experienced player that knows what you don't know. Or you simply want to be the best version of yourself, there is something for you on the pages to follow. We'll do our best to whittle hitting down to its purest form. We provide accessible information to anyone. It could be a T-baller to who knows what level. Enjoy!
Control the Controlables
When the Best Do the Simplest
Control the Controlables
Basics to Practice
-walking up to the plate with a confident stride
-hinging bat up and down with top hand/wrist. then letting the bat rest on the rear shoulder
-carrying the bat by holding the barrel
-practice swinging the bat with rear hand...barrel going from shoulder to shoulder using a pendulum dynamic
-using two hands, swinging the
Basics to Practice
-walking up to the plate with a confident stride
-hinging bat up and down with top hand/wrist. then letting the bat rest on the rear shoulder
-carrying the bat by holding the barrel
-practice swinging the bat with rear hand...barrel going from shoulder to shoulder using a pendulum dynamic
-using two hands, swinging the barrel from shoulder to shoulder and then letting perpetual motion take over.
-resting bat on rear shoulder and top palm, bat parallel to the ground (like in pictures)...from this position practice taking swings
-seeing ball with minimal head movement
Approach
a) consistent on deck routine/timing speed of pitches. dialing in your hands, top hand waiter feel
b) confident stride into batters box
c) **comfortable taking strikes out of your wheel house with no strikes in the count.
No swinging at breaking pitches with zero strikes. Exception would be a hanging pitch, maybe
d) goal, generally speaking, take advantage of mistakes, be comfortable hitting with 1 or even 2 strikes, imo. (no doubt it can be tricky if the opposing pitcher does not have command or even control of their pitches
e) when taking a strike, see it all the way in to the catchers glove.
f) take pitches against better pitchers, drive up pitch count, go after mistakes if possible (less chasing a borderline strike with no strikes in the count)
When the Best Do the Simplest
When the Best Do the Simplest
When the Best Do the Simplest
Challenge Yourself
Try simple games like Ohtani is doing in the dugout. Softly tossing the baseball so it lands on the dugout step is not easy. This fun and basic task develops touch with your hands and sparks competition with your teammates.
Growing up I spent countless hours laying on my bedroom floor self-tossing a baseball
Challenge Yourself
Try simple games like Ohtani is doing in the dugout. Softly tossing the baseball so it lands on the dugout step is not easy. This fun and basic task develops touch with your hands and sparks competition with your teammates.
Growing up I spent countless hours laying on my bedroom floor self-tossing a baseball or football. Each toss I would try make the spin more pure than the previous.
Events like this are building blocks for movement. Athleticism opens doors and bridges gaps. Athletes know how to push forward, pull back, do just enough or even fudge a move in a pinch. Learn to move dynamically and have that effortless look.
Surrender moves that feel 'safe' like a 'push'. Pushing feels precise like pushing a book across a counter to someone. Slinging it across the counter with your wrist will have much more speed but might feel slightly less precise at first.
Are you able to sit and watch three innings of a random MLB or college softball game and appreciate the nuances of the game? This is important as it will help you think about all the subtle/underlying things that go into the game.
Spend a few minutes a night watching different games, there are countless games on the web and TV. I lose track of time watching games. Announcers like Orel Hersheiser talking pitching, Ben McDonald's Mississippi accent reminds me of my college days down south. And I make a point to tune into Nebraska softball to watch Jordy Frahm, one of the best athletes I have ever seen. Give it a try.
When Less Is More
When the Best Do the Simplest
When the Best Do the Simplest
Train counterintuitive moves for improved leverage and swing dynamics. Achieving an effortless yet powerful swing in sports requires adopting counterintuitive movements that initially feel uncomfortable or less powerful. Incorporating these movements can enhance leverage, adjustability, and direction in your swing. Here are some dyna
Train counterintuitive moves for improved leverage and swing dynamics. Achieving an effortless yet powerful swing in sports requires adopting counterintuitive movements that initially feel uncomfortable or less powerful. Incorporating these movements can enhance leverage, adjustability, and direction in your swing. Here are some dynamic movement ideas to consider:
>>Going forward but staying back VS allowing all your momentum to move forward.
>>Collecting/Catching the ball in your swing VS swinging to a destination point.
>>Ejecting the barrel VS throwing the bat head
>>Swinging into balance VS getting your lead foot down early.
>>Bat handle resting on top palm/fingertips VS a strong grip.
Let the body respond to the arms.
I generally identify three different swing styles when watching a higher level game.
-Two Plane Swing: like Cody Bellinger (Gary Sheffield an extreme example. this was quite popular '90s - 2010) who tips the barrel on a vertical plane and then launches the swing on a horizontal plane. It has a figure 8 look from catcher's view.
-One Plane Swing like Ben Rice (Acuna and Jarrod Duran as well) who maintains a steady hand position with no bat tip. Resulting in a more controlled swing on a single arc.
-Pronator Swing like Kyle Tucker who deliberately turns over the rear forearm, aiming to cover the outside corner. **click below to see videos of these swing types**
Humility
Why are the two of the best players in the game also the most humble? Perhaps they truly understand how difficult it is to achieve and maintain what they have accomplished.
Contact Brent.... brent@verticalturn88.com if you have any questions. Thanks!