Torso & Lead Shoulder Deceleration

In the past I have discussed the advantages of a proper sequence and the importance of “deceleration”.

For me deceleration is important for two primary reasons:

1. Transferring kinetic energy proximally to distally, converting angular (rotation) speed into linear (bat) speed. (Move from middle)
2. Direction of the barrel.

As it pertains to this discussion torso/lead shoulder deceleration is critical in “delivering the barrel”, allowing the barrel to maintain path/direction without torso rotation, and pulling the ball effectively (barrel travels past hands) or (HBA).

It should also be noted that you can’t decelerate a segment without the previous segment being stable. Therefore, simply trying to stop your shoulder without addressing a potential unstable segment below won’t yield consistent results.

Here are a few good visuals:

Video Credit: DAC Baseball

If you remember Aaron Judge really struggled to pull the ball in 2019, as I mentioned above, when you struggle to decelerate the shoulder the barrel never gets passed the hands, therefore you struggle to pull the ball effectively. Here you see a compensation — excess torso rotation.

When I refer to “barrel ahead of hands” this is what I mean. S/O to Colby May for the assist —

Side note: Lead forearm and barrel aligned, bat is an extension of lead forearm.

Video Credit: DAC Baseball

If you pay attention to the white logo on Trout’s jersey you will see lead arm deceleration, check out how stable the pelvis is!! Great visual from someone who hits well to all fields.

Picture Credit: Devin Deyoung

Notice the name on the back of the Rose’s jersey in the bottom 3 frames. The lead shoulder/knob have “stopped” and in the words of Mike Lotief the barrel has begun to “whip”.

As it pertains to monitoring this with hitters, you can use 4D or K-Vest or you can pay attention to ball flight. Often hitters that lack lead shoulder decel will “cut” balls to RF or struggle to pull the ball effectively. This isn’t to say that this is the root cause of hitters that all have that batted ball profile but something to monitor.

#HappyHitting

BN