Fastpitch Softball Hitting Tip: Forget "Elbow Up"

Why "elbow up" should NOT be forced upon young softball players or be taught as an absolute necessity to good hitting by fastpitch softball coaches. More at http://www.allaboutfastpitch.com

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• fastpitch
• softball
• coaching
• youth
• sports
• hitting
• batting

[jberkowitz7]

The elbow up position you are illustrating in your video is not the correct position that many of the more modern coaching styles are advocating. There is a very good reason for having your elbow at the same height as your hands (your hands should be roughly at your right ear for right handed hitters), and that is that you can create a better angle to the ball from that position with attack posture. Check out Don Slaught on this topic. You will learn a lot. Good try though...

[staciemahoe]

@jberkowitz7 Also - Just had Crystl Bustos here (arguably THE best softball hitter in the world) and she does not do, nor does she teach, elbowup at the same height as the hands prior to stride/start of swing). If players later do that as a STYLE choice that's fine, but not a necessary "mechanic" of a good swing.

[1221961]

Amazing lack of understanding of hitting consistently. Look at most of the top level hitters and the back elbow is up and also back during load.

Last thing there is no difference between a high level baseball swing and softball swing.

[staciemahoe]

@1221961 Key words in your comment "during load" I'm not talking about load position of the elbow in this clip ;)

If you already start with elbow there, you can't "load" into that position.

[ChuckLetson]

Thanks Stacie. This has been a hotly debated subject for quite some time and I feel your video here clearly spells out the reason to not force the "elbow up" method. Some people think it helps while others hit better with their elbow a bit lower. Every player is built a little differently and a good level headed open minded approach focused on what is best for the player will produce the best results. I wish more youth coaches would listen to this. Thanks for posting.

[1221961]

Maybe checking some great hitters like Manny and ARod to further my point.Additionally if you allow your elbow to drop it will lead to slotting of the back elbow/bat drag. Bat drag is the worst thing that can happen to a hitter during the movement. With all due respect I have documentation from a plethora of Biomechanists if you need.

[miken23barnett]

Iv played both Baseball and fast pitch softball. Iv played Minor league baseball for 4 years and now im on my 5th now. Most of the teachings have done away with the elbow up. Elbow down with hands back allows quicker hands. Elbow up actually slows you hands down because you have the drop them anyway. Unless your barry bonds or albert pujols then your hands need to be down.

[casinodrama]

it does not matte rif u have your elbow up or down what ever works for you

[farmsid]

Any softball parent that watches this video, please don't get lessons for this lady. Elbow should be up and knuckles shouldn't be aligned. Myth: elbow should be down. In fact having your elbow down will ensure that me as a pitcher will cause you to jam yourself . proper hitting mechanics teach you must clear your back side, if you does this first with your elbow down it will get caught on your side thus making your swing longer, ensuring that I still get payed as a pitcher. Myth two...

[staciemahoe]

@jberkowitz7 I think it's cool that you took the time to talk with great minds to study this. Crystl has hitters start with elbow at shoulder height (but hands are still above elbow). I was never taught this, but explains why I HATED hitting the high ball. Lucky for me, I played during a time and place where ump didn't really call the high strike so it wasn't a big deal and I could foul it off if I had to.

[jberkowitz7]

@staciemahoe haha. i'm glad you got my sense of humor. I have spoken to Don about this at length and what he would teach is to have your elbow the same height as your hands. Obviously every hitter will have their hands at a slightly different height. In his software, Right view Pro, there are many examples of MLB and softball hitters with this position in their motion. I agree with you that many youth coaches advocate elbow up incorrectly, but elbows down is not quite right either.

[staciemahoe]

@jberkowitz7 I never said that what I demonstrate is what "modern coaching styles" are teaching. I am simply showing what I see a LOT of youth coaches teaching/players doing. Also, re:Don Slaught video clearly shows elbow NOT same height as hands prior to start of swing (Baseball Hitting Instruction by Don Slaught - Live Hands).

Good try though