Why Hitters Roll Over — and What to Fix First
Rolling over is usually a symptom. Learn what to assess before choosing a drill.
READ ARTICLE →Backspin Blog — Free Instruction / The Early Days of AHD
From the 2015 archive
This is historical coaching writing originally published under Krush Athletics. The wording reflects its original period. For current guidance, use AHD lessons and SwingChecker.
Extension and Wrist Release
When discussing the topic of extension, most hitters think of extending the arms as the extent of extension. When in reality, that is only part of what creates “maximum extension.” The forgotten or rarely mentioned element is the extension or release of the wrists.
EXTENSION: I hear analysts always talk about the "big guys want to get their arms extended" ... true, and a circle is round. We ALL want to get are arms extended as this is a huge part of good swing mechanics. Let me bust a myth... hitters do want to get extended but it is extension TOWARDS THE PITCHER, not out in front of their body over the plate.
WRIST RELEASE: Just like a golfers wrists do not rollover until well after contact, a hitter need to do the same thing. We call it wrist release where the wrist joints load and unload from side to side as opposed to rolling over. It is the last hinge to unload and bat will accelerate until wrists roll.
WHY DO HITTERS WANT EXTENSION amd WRIST RELEASE?
Creates biggest margin for error for contact Helps create most force possible Creates cleaner or more solid contact Helps eliminate weak contact such as roll overs Helps create proper ball flight
SWING FAULTS: Hitters extend their arms out in front of body, over plate as opposed to extending towards pitcher... which causes many swing mechanic issues such as casting, rolling, etc · Many times hitters swing to hit the ball, not drive through the ball. · Hitters also roll the top hand at contact
FIX/KEY POINTS: Swing thoughts: · Hit through the ball … not to the ball · Hit the ball with your elbows locked out -- Power V · Power V -- the arms make a “V” when extended which ensures maximum extension (photos below) · Get the back arm extended keeping the palm up · Think of the bat as a sword and cut the ball in half. This eliminates rolling
Examples of the Power V and wrist release…after contact
Wrist release (no roll)
TIP: The wrists will have to “roll over.” The key is to have them roll over AFTER extension and wrist release have occurred.
TIP: As you may have noticed, I describe the same technique or movement or position in many different ways. That is so if one of the terms doesn’t click with you, maybe another will. When teaching, remember that you may need to do the same.
Quick answers
Which direction should a hitter extend?
Toward the pitcher. Extending the arms out in front of the body over the plate leads to casting and rolling over.
When should the wrists roll over in the swing?
After contact and after extension. The wrists release first, like a golfer’s, and roll over later in the finish.
Backspin Blog — AHD’s Free Instruction Library
No subscription. No login. Keep learning, then take one priority into training.
