http://www.Kudda.com presents thousands of free youth sports coaching videos. In this baseball drill, Coach Robertson demonstrates the use of a bucket to improve mechanics.
Duration : 0:1:30
Baseball Hitting Drill: Front Foot Bucket Drill
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http://www.Kudda.com presents thousands of free youth sports coaching videos. In this baseball drill, Coach Robertson demonstrates the use of a bucket to improve mechanics.
Duration : 0:1:30
January 24th, 2009 at 4:36 am
I believe what you …
I believe what you are teaching is an excellent drill and I would refer to it as a “pre-contact” skill. Yes, in “post-contact” we do see hitters roll over their front foot but most if not all great hitters have a somewhat closed foot on contact. I think many visitors are right in what they are saying, but I think it is important to clarify the drill as a “pre” or “on” contact mechanic. To that end, I think the bucket drill is key to teaching that part of the hitting mechanics.
January 24th, 2009 at 4:36 am
That’s an excellent …
That’s an excellent drill.
January 24th, 2009 at 4:36 am
I wouldn’t …
I wouldn’t necessarily say that they hit well because of athletic talent. In baseball, people have to have their own unique way of getting in a rhythm and adjusting basic mechanics to their preferences. So many instructors turn kids into “robots” by banning anything out of the basic mechanical movements. A successful player knows the balance between personal comfort and solid fundamentals.
Ex: Sheffield wags his bat, Youkilis dances in the box, Jeff Bagwell stepped back with his front foot, etc
January 24th, 2009 at 4:36 am
You are talking …
You are talking about “optimal” mechanics with the lower body to produce optimal torque. To really appreciate what a good base can do, have your hitters hit in there stocking feet on a gym floor and watch the adjustments they make to optimize their balance and power. The hitter will want to make some adjustments naturally so as not to fall over and lose bat control. Just a thought.
January 24th, 2009 at 4:36 am
Yes, but you’re …
Yes, but you’re talking about a Hall of Famer and arguably the best hitter in MLB the last 15 years. Many of these caliber players execute outside conventional practice. Look at Vlady Guerrero, another great hitter who has very questionable techniques. BUT, like Manny, he overcomes whatever unconventional techniques with his tremendous athletic abilities. True there are many ways to skin a cat. But there are also certain ways that are better or more effective than others.
January 24th, 2009 at 4:36 am
Yes, but you’re …
Yes, but you’re talking about a Hall of Famer and arguably the best hitter MLB the last 15 years. Many of thes ecaliber players execute out of conventional practice. Look at Vlady Guerrero, another great hitter who has very questionable techniques. BUT, like Manny, he overcomes whatever unconventional techniques with his tremendous athletic abilities. True there are many ways to skin a cat. But there are also certain ways that are better or more effective than others.
January 24th, 2009 at 4:36 am
That’s because they …
That’s because they stride with an open front foot. Meaning they have the toe pointed between the 1st baseman and the pitcher if they are righthanded. They do not keep there front side closed with toes pointed toward the plate.
January 24th, 2009 at 4:36 am
This drill is more …
This drill is more for younger players to stay behind the ball and prevent them from flying open too soon. Obviously at the higher levels you’ll need to drop your front heel through contact and release afterwards.
January 24th, 2009 at 4:36 am
They (Manny & Co.) …
They (Manny & Co.) roll the front foot as you said but they DON’T rotate toe toward pitcher. There is a big difference.
January 24th, 2009 at 4:36 am
Did you know that …
Did you know that the best hitters in baseball end up rolling the front foot? This is a natural release. Why do so many people restrict the natural hitting movement? Have a look at Manny Ramirez and tell him he should block his front side robbing him of power and bat speed.