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.As the player does this, the player must separate his grip from their body.His grip will end up, more often than not, over the plate opon striking the ball.You’ll have no support and not be balanced.
So why is that a problem? Let’s look at it this way.When arm wrestling, should you keep your hands away from your body?Would you want to keep your hands by your body for support?
If you had to throw the best punch you could, would you hold your hands away from the body?Absolutely not.It would be smarter to have your hands in a fist in back of your head.
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 allows for thrust to your hands.Of course, you want your grip 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.Do you know what is behind your hands? Nothing!What MLB players.
You might say…”I’ve seen major leaguers start with their hands away from their bodies.Essentially, this will be good.”
And the answer to that is –“Major leaguers make an adjustment. It’s quick, but they will rapidly bring their hands close to their should area. We usually don’t see this, because it happens so quickly.A lot of pros do this.
Therefore, let us be clear.You will always be in a better hitting position when you have your hands near your shoulders.Rotate your mid-section, and always keep your grip by your shoulder as you move to strike the ball. 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.
Connect with the baseball over home plate? No.