This is one of many baseball hitting drills coaches teach —“Get the bat off your shoulder!”
It is a common phrase used by fans, coaches, parents, and players.
The question is “Why is that so bad?”
Here is what happens when a player moves his bat away from his body in his hitting stance.Once that is completed, his hands will free from his body.Upon striking the ball, the player’s hands will be slightly in front of home plate.This is the wrong way to hit.
So why is that a problem?Put it this way, here’s a question.When arm wrestling, should you keep your hands away from your body? Or would you want your hands close to the body for support?
If you had to throw the best punch you could, would you hold your hands away from the body?No, you shouldn’t.You would want to keep them in a fist by your back shoulder.
If you had to push an automobile, would you want your hands at your side, or would you want them in front of you?Your body gives power to the hands.Naturally, you would want to keep your hands in front.
Now, stand up like you’re at home plate with your bat out over the plate like it is in contact with the ball. What’s behind your hands? Nothing! When this happens, your body gives your hands no support.
You might say…”I’ve seen major leaguers start with their hands away from their bodies.This is good.”
And the answer to that is –“Major leaguers make an adjustment. Just before making contact, they bring the bat and hands back towards their head.It happens so fast, we don’t always pick this up.Pulling this off requires a lot of power.
Therefore, let us be clear.Keep your hands close to your shoulder.Keep your hands by your shoulder, rotate your hips, as you swing to make contact with the baseball. Now your hands are in FRONT as they enter the contact zone, NOT OVER THE PLATE.
So if you want to learn how to hit a baseball, remember this rule: The only time separation of the hands from the body occurs is when they move forward to hit the ball.
These techniques are fully explained in the “Super 8 Hitting System”, completely demonstrated in a series of baseball hitting videos, which includes many baseball hitting drills.
Get the bat off the shoulder in the hitting stance? No.
Make contact over the plate? No.
