Adjustability
“If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one” — Russian Proverb
The rabbit analogy above serves as a perfect illustration on how easy it is as a coach or player to lose sight of what is important. With an abundance of information circulating on the web we now have access to more hitting content than ever. 2D charts, Blast metrics, spin data, and video all make up a small piece of what hitters have thrown at them daily.
I have always told people, God didn’t make me to play baseball he made me to be a coach. The logic behind this is simple; I have always overanalyzed EVERYTHING, analysis paralysis. Our job as coaches is to simplify and assist players in their journeys to become the best version of themselves.
In a previous blog I mentioned my “macro” hitting goals are simple.
#1 Hit it Hard
#2 Maximize impact when we do hit it hard, studies prove that is in the air.
Below those goals we have the “micro” goals that directly impact our “macro” goals. Those being:
#1 Direction
#2 Adjustability
#3 Timing
Everything we do (Blast, Video, Programming etc) day to day is going to have an impact on our core goals. Taking this style of approach assures hitters that their training is going to translate.
This blog is going to be focused on“micro #2”, adjustability.
When we think adjustability I think of creating a repeatable swing that is going to give us the best chance to hit against all of the variables thrown at me in a game.
I organize adjustability swing components into 4 buckets.
Bucket #1 — Creating a Consistent Launch
I always tell my hitters the swing is a continuation of the loading phase. If we gather the body into a location that requires no move to swing, we are now on our time not the pitchers time. This is the adjustability and repeatable nature of it. I hear a lot of coaches tell their hitters to load earlier or later depending on velocity. This couldn’t be more incorrect. Load to a place that allows us to control our movement(s) and swing when the computer says “go” regardless of velo. IF the swing requires another move to trigger the hitter will have to launch much earlier effecting the ability to make later decisions.
Bucket #2 — Weight Shift & Holding Scap
If the hitter lands “heavy” as he/she makes her move forward, she will be spent on anything off-speed in addition to a plethora of other issues (Steep path, flat hips etc) . Keep in mind at the amateur level 99% of hitters are taught to look hard adjust to off-speed. If you read the article I posted on how to recruit the hip you will understand how to use the body to control the move forward. The optimal move will be for the hitter to land soft with some flexion so he/she can use the front leg to buy time and hold their back. At some point all hitters will be fooled. If we do get into our leg it is crucial that our scap stays pinched in order to give us best ability to hit the ball hard.
Bucket #3 — Rotation
Any early rotation of the front side will result in the player’s barrel swinging in an arch in and out of the zone. I like to say “find your direction and then you can rotate”. The hitter must swing where the ball is going, the longer we can stay square to the plate the longer the hitter has to make decisions. If the hitter was to rotate he or she will push the barrel away from the body in order to have plate coverage resulting in a lot of issues (disconnection, barrel dump etc). As you can see in the graphic below, the player buying time to see where the ball is going is vital.
Bucket #4 — Depth and Direction
As mentioned above, 99% of pitches thrown the hitter will be hunting the heater. If the hitters path is steep and only in the zone out front they will consistently feel as if they have to cheat on the fastball to get the barrel out leaving them with no chance against off-speed. If you achieve barrel depth it allows the hitter to worry less about contact out front against velo, thus a much better chance to hit the off-speed. Jose Altuve broke the heart of many Yankees fan with the swing below. After the game he talked about hitting Chapman’s 100 MPH fastball oppo allowing him to hit the slider out front. He is comfortable doing this because his barrel is in the zone at the back of the plate. Additionally, as it pertains to direction if a pitcher is working someone hard in and the hitter is having to make an aggressive front side move to square it up, the player will have very little shot to hit a ball on the outer third. Barrel direction is crucial for controlling the plate as a hitter.
Please keep in mind that adjustability isn’t only going to promoted through mechanical adjustments. As a coach it becomes important to provide your hitters opportunities to work on the skill side of adjustability. Variable BP etc.
