Written By: JK Whited
Creating the Engine to Your Swing
There are two key factors that determine the exit velocity of every ball that you hit.
- Bat Speed
- Square Contact
Both of these are vital to your swing's longevity and should be trained equally. Today we will take a look at bat speed and how to understand and feel where your swing engine truly is.
The Load/Stretch for Creating Bat Speed
All great swings start with great loading phases. If your training doesn't start with this phase, you have no chance to create great bat speed. The keys here are:
Watch as Javy Baez sequences these movements flawlessly.
Javy is always a great template for this movement because it's so easy to see. All great hitters some form or version of this or else they wouldn't last at that level.
This pattern should be slow and controlled as you move especially if you have a leg kick or more vertical stance. If you start wider and lower, it might be less pronounced but it still has to happen. All these things are used for creating the engine to your swing
The Trigger
This is GO TIME! The start of the swing must be quick and immediate (early bat speed). Any flaw or delay here will seriously cost you. Pulling the "trigger" of a swing is very similar to a gun. It comes from a very specific place that should always be the rear hip/knee. Yes, both hips rotate but the rear hip/knee is the driver. The front hip will clear in a passive move out of the way and then be driven back by the front leg.
Watch as Javy shows us exactly how this should be done.
I can't stress the importance for your hitters to connect these specific parts of their bodies. If the trigger doesn't start here, the body will compensate and the swing will suffer.
The Brakes
The last action of the engine is the "slamming of the brakes". The front leg must counter the back leg-pulling forward with an equally aggressive and quick push back. Keys are:
- Use the heel
- Drive the quad/front hip back
- DO IT HARD
Notice here how Javy's front knee and back knee close the gap.
The role of the front leg is huge. Don't deny it or the back leg will override the entire swing.
Like a car engine, each of these parts is essential to the performance and health of your swing as a whole. On our site, you can find lots of ways to isolate each of these movements if one of them is lacking in your swing. Connect with your engine, and watch how much your bat speed skyrocket!
Posted in:
Back Leg | Balance | Bat Speed | Exit Velocity | JK Whited | Leg Kick | MLB | Rolling Over | Rotation
JK these are awesome visuals. Thanks for making them available.
Hey Mike,
Glad that you liked them! Visuals like these help me as well.
-JK