Everyday in our batting cages, whether they are baseball or fastpitch softball hitters, batters are told to keep their back elbow up by coaches and parents. When I do lessons 9 out of every 10 students have been told this, none of them know why. Back elbow up will make batters uncomfortable because it puts so much tension in a batters shoulder and arms. Every hitter needs to be comfortable and tension free when they set up ready to hit. I tell my students to just relax their shoulder and arms. Everyone of them tells me it feels much more natural and comfortable. Never do anything that puts tension in your hands, arms or shoulders when hitting.
Other reasons you don't want to do this are:
When players do this they will change their grip making the bat go more into their palms rather then stay in the fingers causing a tighter grip.
Your back elbow can't stay up, if you try to keep it up, it will be the first thing the batter pulls which will cause many problems in their swing.
Your back elbow should be just below your back hand like you were going to do a push up against the wall. There is no tension in a great swing.
If you would like to learn more how to develop an elite baseball or fastpitch softball swing call Mike Sedberry at 304-722-6393.
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