Producing Power in your Swing
with Technique not Effort
by
Ben Himes
Head Hitting Coach, Sharp End Athletics
I define hitting with power simply as the ability to transfer
as much energy into the ball as possible. The ability to do this comes from the
consolidation of power as the swing uncoils up the kinetic chain. As certain
technical aspects of this chain break down, many hitters lose percentages of
power in their swing.
In this article I will show you how to create more power without
effort, consolidate the largest percentage of your power into the baseball via
technique, while showing you how to allow your strength to work for you, or how
to allow your swing to happen, rather than try to make it happen. There
are several major tenants to make this leap in your development as a hitter:
1.
Footwork. The swing uncoils from the
ground up. Your ability to consolidate power comes directly from your
connection to the ground. Your footwork is your connection to the ground
Fig. 1 is an example of Barry Bonds' foot work at contact.
Note that his front foot is closed. If his front foot were open already he
would lose a percentage of power at contact for every degree the foot is open.
Fig. 1
2.
Separation. The ability to “separate”
mean the ability to begin rotating the back hip and core against a closed front
side (closed front foot, hip, shoulder), while keeping the hands back as well.
Fig. 2 is Michael Reed of the Milwaukee Brewers. Every off-season Micheal
trains with Sharp End Athletics. In this session we were specifically focused
on creating separation in Michael's swing. Can you spot the difference between
the two pictures?
In the shot on the right, notice how much further along Michael's
back hip is, rotationally, compared to the shot on the left, while his front
side hip, shoulders, and hands are in relatively the same position in both
shots. Creating separation makes you uncoil and accelerate as one connected
unit from the ground up.
Fig. 2
3.
Bat Speed & Balance. Once the swing
has begun with the right consolidation and direction of energy, the swing is
also about extending and accelerating at high velocity. At high speed,
especially when rotation is involved, high levels of stability are required.
The acceleration of a swing is directly proportional to the net unbalanced
force and inversely proportional to the body's mass. Force = Mass x
Acceleration.
4.
Relaxation & Extension. “When you let
go, a lot happens”. The ability of major muscle groups involved in hitting is
to extend and accelerate. This a a feeling more than it is an mechanical aspect
of a hitters swing. Tension or strength prevents this acceleration. If you try,
you somewhat inhibit the learning process- when you allow you learn to
feel it.
Keep your eyes out for more hitting tips coming to you soon. To learn more, or to sign up for
private or online lessons please email sharpend@sharpendathletics.com. Also, check us out at sharpendathletics.com.
