Batting technique that avoids wrist rotation: How to use the pulling hand and practice methods

In baseball batting, there is a pushing hand and a pulling hand.
For a right-handed batter, the pushing hand is the right hand on the upper side of the grip, and the pulling hand is the left hand on the base side of the grip.
I've always been very conscious of using my right hand (the pushing hand), and I haven't been using my pulling hand at all.

However, while trying various things to learn the "Horai Swing," I came to understand how to make the pulling hand take the lead.
As a result, my hitting accuracy and the power of my batted balls have clearly improved, so I decided to write this article as a memo for myself.

This article is intended for those who are unsure about the technique of using the pull hand as the lead in a shot.

To hit the ball at a right angle

First, please watch this video.
This is a video providing practical instruction on the "Horai Swing."

Please pay particular attention to the section from the beginning to 1:43.

I've always been told that my wrist isn't turning properly, and I've wondered when I should be turning my wrist.
I was told to "return the ball at the moment of impact," and I tried that for a while, but it never felt quite right.
However, this video"There's no need to turn your wrist."When I learned that lesson, it was a real eye-opener.
Indeed, it's clear that if you're trying to hit the ball with the bat at a right angle, you can't flick your wrist.

To avoid turning your wrist

The video in the previous section made it clear that there is no need to rotate the wrist of the pushing hand.
Using your wrist in a flicking motion can actually lead to the feeling of twisting (or hooking) the ball with the bat.

So, how can we avoid twisting our wrists?
That's also explained starting around 1:43 in the video.

To avoid twisting your wrist, you need to use your body in a way that allows you to stop the bat abruptly.
I've tried various things myself, and I've found that if you don't put enough force into your pulling hand and grip it firmly, your pushing hand will take over and your wrist will twist.

By firmly gripping the handle, the club head will stand upright.
Furthermore, by maintaining a 90-degree angle at the elbow of your pulling arm to maximize your power, you can keep your pushing arm's wrist from bending.
Paying attention to not twisting the wrist of the pushing hand directly leads to a swing that is led by the pulling hand.

As a result of using this hitting style

In order to avoid turning my wrist, I had to change my hitting style to one where I had to put force into my pulling hand, and I was able to experience a pulling-hand-led hitting style without even realizing it.
As a result, the grip strength of the pulling hand is clearly depleted much more rapidly than with the previous swinging method.
I think it means you're using the pull handle properly.

Furthermore, because the armpit on the pulling side was tucked in, it became difficult to rotate in a circular motion while firmly gripping the handle on that side, causing the armpit to open up.
Rather than saying your armpit opens up, it might be better to describe it as your elbow rotating from front to back.
(Previously, my sides were close to my body, meaning my elbows were pressed tightly against my waist.)
I used to think that having my armpits open was a bad thing, but now I feel like it's having a positive effect because it allows me to react to inside pitches with more space to maneuver.

I think this probably means that the technique is becoming more focused on the pull side.
I think the distance I can hit the ball has increased dramatically compared to my previous swing.
Previously, my hits were mostly to the right of center field, but now they're going slightly to the left of center field, and the distance they're going has increased considerably.

Since I've always swung with my pushing hand leading, I feel a slight sense of discomfort with the feeling of hitting the ball with my pulling hand.
I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually, and even at this stage where I'm not yet used to it, I feel like my accuracy is improving.
As time passes, I quickly forget the technique of leading with the pulling hand, so for a while I want to ingrain this technique into my body so that I can do it unconsciously.

Summary of articles related to the Chunichi Dragons