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  • should you take a step before you load, after, or the same time when batting?

Question

John Marousky
John Marousky
Baseball, Coaching

should you take a step before you load, after, or the same time when batting?

I use to load as i steped when i was swinging. Then i keep getting my stance changed by my coaches for loading before i step and then loading after i take a step but after all my coaches are done im confused and still not hitting the ball the way i want. Is there a way that right way?

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Answers (12)

  • Coach Moore
    Coach Moore
    Answered March 28, 2010
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    I don't know what your coaches where really telling you, but you do not load during swing or as your swinging. You load the shoulders as the pitcher is about to deliver the ball, then you load again as you take your step, when you lift your stride foot, it loads your back foot, when your stride foot plants this is the trigger to start your swing, you start the swing with your hips, which then drags the loaded back shoulder and bat through the strike zone (the is called separation, the hips coming before the bat). The stride foot plant is very important because if it's late, your bat will be late, if it's to early you lose your load and there's nothing left to hit the ball with (this all about timing) so you'll have a weak swing.

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  • John Marousky
    John Marousky
    Answered March 29, 2010
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    yea sorry i ment i use to take a step and as i took that step i loaded but they keep changing it.... Also (if you have any tips on this) when i swing my coaches say my left shoulder flies out (im a righty) but i have tried to change it but now im just hitting flares to right feild or just grounders.

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    1. dont wait on it so long, seee where the pitch is coming and drive it
      Will · March 31, 2010
    2. Watch to see that your stride foot is not landing open, this would open you up. The other thing is that you might be letting your front side lead the path to the ball. Let your top hand lead to the ball taking the knob of the bat to the ball, stay balanced and head still. Stay short to the ball and then allow your hands to extend through the point of contact. I you have a video recoder , have someone video you from the back , side and front and then do you own analysis. Good luck
      Coach Corona · April 02, 2010
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  • Nate Koch
    Nate Koch
    Answered March 31, 2010
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    take a step during your load

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  • Joshua Morton
    Joshua Morton
    Answered March 31, 2010
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    Yeah, You got to take a step to hit

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  • Ron Espinosa
    Ron Espinosa
    Answered March 31, 2010
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    Coach Moore really nailed this one for you. I will add that perhaps you want to think less of a step and more of a tap. The stride doesn't help you hit, your hips do. The foot action is simply a trigger as Coach Moore mentions. In your case, less may be more.

    As for your flares, it sounds like your left arm is extended too early in the swing. Try to concentrate on keeping your hands in and elbows tight as you come through the ball, this will alleviate some of those flares to right and keep you from opening up too soon. Another thing to improve is pitch recognition. If you see the ball coming inside try to get your swing started earlier, later if the pitch is heading outside. This will allow you to hit the ball with more authority.

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  • Eugene Rocks
    Eugene Rocks
    Answered March 31, 2010
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    if you want power

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  • Eugene Rocks
    Eugene Rocks
    Answered April 01, 2010
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    duh

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  • Jeni Tucker
    Jeni Tucker
    Answered April 01, 2010
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    You should probably step in your load.

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  • John Marousky
    John Marousky
    Answered April 01, 2010
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    i had a training session with a hitting coach and some other coaches and i got my swing down pact and i just got to practice as usual so thanks anyway

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  • Coach Corona
    Coach Corona
    Answered April 02, 2010
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    John, the truth is that your stride is part of your load. It primes you prior to your
    swing. The difficult part is alot of kids either over stride , dont maintian balance in
    the stride and forget to load the hands. The biggest thing in your swing is finding
    a rhythm that gets you into a load position that will allow you to attack the ball.
    It can start with a small stride towards the pitcher and a simultaneous load back
    with yous hands. All of this while staying centered , head still and eyes picking up the ball at the first sight of release. Find a stride that helps you stay balanced, that does not
    generate any head movement and gets you into a hitting position early in order to attack the ball.

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  • Riley Regala
    Riley Regala
    Answered April 03, 2010
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    before you get more power

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  • Cody Purvis Purvis
    Cody Purvis Purvis
    Answered April 04, 2010
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    id ont really know but i load when i get into the box:D

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Asked March 28, 2010.
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