BAT SPEEDDeveloping bat speed. How do we develop it? Where does it come from? How can a Tony Gwynn have more then the average Joe? These are all legitimate questions. But before you can develop bat speed, you need to understand the anatomy of a swing. Example, you need to know about the heart before you can be a heart surgeon. The way we develop it is through fundamentals and balance. Balance being the operative word here. Let's explore this a bit. Balance is at the heart of the swing. Without proper balance, you cannot possibly swing at your optimal level. So how do we develop it. It all starts with the very first thing you are taught. Stance and your stride. If you do not have a consistant stance with a consistant stride and with proper balance, you will not develop bat speed consistantly. Why balance? When you have the proper balance, you are able to rotate your body quickly and efficiently without any drag in the swing, or lunging, or drifting. When you start to drift, or reach for the ball, your hands slows down. Think about it logically. If you were to rotate as if you had a pole going down through you from head to toe, and rotate on that pole, you would do it the quickest way possible. On the other hand, if you tried rotating while you are drifting, your hands will lag and you will not explode on the ball. Look at Tony Gwynn's swing and you will see someone who rotates as if he is attached to a pole. There is no drift and lunging. He has great balance. The other part of this equation, is coming through the ball properly. From an inside out approach. The quickest route to the ball is a straight line and this is accomplished by bringing the hands through first. (Refer to baseball drills page to find the drills that relate to this on my website). So let's do the math. Balance and properly coming through the ball= bat speed. Developing balance takes practice. Practice striding, put your foot down, pause, and than take a swing. Do you feel like you were able to take a normal swing or did you feel out of balance. Work on it and refer to my drills page to learn more about developing a major league swing.
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