Bat Speed Isn’t in Your Arms
Swinging harder makes the bat slower. Where bat speed really comes from, and how hitters build it.
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.
Backside Release - The swing mechanics of the back leg
Question: What does the back leg & foot do during the contact phase of the swing? If you ask 99% of coaches, players, etc, the answer would be pivot, squish the bug, rotate your hips, etc.
FAULT: This is actually a MYTH that has been passed down from generation to generation without really finding out what does happen.
***All premier hitters do NOT SQUISH THE BUG.
WHY: If a hitter pivots or squishes the bug with the back foot; 1 They lose most linear movement which results in diminished power 2 Their margin for solid contact decreases 3 The swing mechanics start to break down immediately(Cast, dip, etc) 4 The hitter becomes strictly rotational 5 The hitter has lessened their chance for solid contact if fooled by off-speed pitch
Hitting, like many other athletic skills (throwing anything, striking in boxing or MMA, hockey slap shot, etc) requires a full weight transfer to maximize power and execution.
Hitters must transfer most if not all their weight forward against the front leg in order to maximize power and swing execution. The back foot needs to be in a “non-weight bearing” position (off the ground, on the toe, dragging) as opposed to a weight bearing pivot or “squish the bug” position.
Hockey players and boxers “release their backsides” and get a “weightless” back side during impact or contact… a full weight transfer from back to against front.
Keys: 1. Roll up on inside of foot initially
2. Keep the heel of the foot behind mid-line of body(do not over rotate) 3. get to a "weightless" position at contact 4. Drive inside of back knee towards front knee
Question: Why should the hitter “release the back-side” (get most if not all weight off back foot) as opposed to pivoting or “squishing the bug” and keep some weight on back foot?
Answer: This allows the hitter to create maximum force at contact… unleash the beast! Also helps keep the hands above and inside pitch plane to create short, flat, powerful swing.Transfers ALL weight and kinetic energy to and through ball.
FIX/KEY POINTS:
1 The back foot must be in a non-weight bearing position at contact (i.e. on toe) 2 Do not squish the bug
BATTING DRILLS:
1 Fungo drill . 2 Wall/fence drill 3 Drop drill 4 Frank Thomas drill 5 Walk drill
Quick answers
What should the back foot do during the swing?
Roll up on its inner edge, keep the heel behind the body’s midline and reach a nearly weightless position at contact while the back knee drives toward the front knee.
Why does pivoting on the back foot hurt a swing?
It stops forward movement too early, cuts power and shrinks the margin for solid contact, especially against off-speed pitches.
Backspin Blog — AHD’s Free Instruction Library
No subscription. No login. Keep learning, then take one priority into training.
