This animation shows the proper swing plane. The bat and the lead arm
stay on the same plane. The bat IS NOT level at impact.
This photo shows the shoulders are tilted when they rotate. It also shows the lead
arm and the bat on the same plane along with the shoulders. Look at yourself in
the mirror and try to do the same thing. The bat IS NOT level at impact.
This clip also shows proper rotation and everything being on the same plane.
Notice how his back hand comes off the bat after impact. This shows the
importance of the lead arm in a powerful swing. The bat IS NOT level at impact.
Here's Jessica Mendoza from Team USA Olympic Team. Look at how quick and
powerful her swing is. It comes from her hips and shoulders. Watch how quickly her
shoulders rotate. Notice her hands right before she swings. They are LOOSE. Do
not grip the bat tight!!!!
Swing Analysis- Not Full Speed Video
Turn Up Your Volume
Here's Michelle Smith. Notice how she starts her stride and inward turn while the ball
is still in the pitchers hand. The bat IS NOT level at impact.
THUMBNAILS-Click the picture to enlarge
Source: Siggy's Hitting Clips
Des Plaines Grapes
Girls Softball
Carl's thoughts on batting
   1) The bat should NOT be level to the ground at impact.
   2) NEVER grip the bat tight
   3) Your hips and shoulders create a quick powerful swing NOT your arms or hands
   4) Swing hard or don't swing at all
Everyone Watch Jade's Video Please
This is not meant to pick on anyone but rather to
show you why the thought of "A level swing" is wrong.
Here is what Michelle, Kristine and Katilyn are working on now. (7-20-08)Look at these two photos. This is the
INWARD TURN or LOADING position. Look how the college player on the left has her shoulders in line with the bat
as she does her inward turn. This just clicked with me over the past week.

Now look at Michelle. Her shoulders are flat. Her right shoulder needs to be lower than her left shoulder as she does
her INWARD TURN. Then everything will be in the proper alignment from the start. AND everything else will follow
thru nicely. I will post more photos after we work on this a for a little bit.

And now that I have noticed this, it's driving me crazy, almost ALL GIRLS do this. Even older girls. They all keep their
shoulders flat. It leads to a weak flat swings and a lot of pop ups. This is where I am going to start from now on
when I re-work someone's swing. Getting the alignment from the very beginning. Spine, shoulders and bat.

I went and watched some games this weekend at a tournament. I can't imagine how much money some of these
parents have spent with private batting lessons. And I'll tell you. I'm not impressed at all. These 3 girls swing better.  
Shoulders and bat are
parallel as she does
inward turn. Front
shoulder lower than
back shoulder.
Shoulders and bat are not in
the same line. Front shoulder
needs to be lower than back
shoulder. Everything will
rotate more powerfully if it's
all in line at the start (Inward
turn)
It's the same thing with Katilyn and Krissy. It's amazing what you find when you go thru swings frame by frame. I
wish I would have started on this a month ago. Oh well, we'll get them ready for Varsity Tryouts.

And the neat thing is, even without this they are hitting better than ever right now. All 3 of them. We have worked
on getting proper swings and it has really paid off this summer. All 3 now have a nice inward turn, stride, rotation,
keep the bat and the lead arm in the same line, and all 3 are hitting better and harder than I have ever seen
them. The bat speed has increased. When they hit the ball it's hard, not little wimpy hits.

I'm excited to see what happens when we get the INWARD turn corrected. I'll keep you posted.
Michelle
Kristine
Katilyn