In this video, Richard Schenck, also known as Teacherman, demonstrates the “Stretch and Fire Drill” which is used for finding and understand the feeling of the coil around the rear leg in the High Level Pattern (HLP) baseball swing
This drill focuses on developing the proper tension and mechanics necessary for an efficient and powerful swing. Here are the key points from the video:
- One-Legged Kickstand Drill
Richard emphasizes the importance of feeling the one-legged or rear-legged load by using a “kickstand” position. This position ensures that the player’s weight remains on the back leg, allowing for proper hip socket pivoting without shifting the weight forward prematurely.
- Pivoting Without Shifting Weight
The drill focuses on teaching players to pivot in the hip socket without shifting weight forward. Richard warns that rotating with a weight shift compromises the swing, and stresses the importance of maintaining the pivot while snapping the hands to create a tight stretch.
- Proper Knob Position and Tension
Richard explains the correct positioning of the bat knob during the coil. By keeping the knob pointed straight out, tension builds in the back leg and extends into the back. He contrasts this with the common mistake of pointing the knob downward, which fails to create the necessary tension in the back and results in a weaker swing.
- Swing Plane Alignment
The drill includes maintaining alignment between the knob and barrel on the same plane throughout the swing. Richard demonstrates how this alignment helps to generate a proper swing path, ensuring that the player doesn’t push their hands forward but instead maintains the correct plane for a powerful swing.
- Leg Burst and Barrel Snap
The final key point of the drill is the coordinated “leg burst” and “barrel snap.” Richard teaches that as soon as the barrel snaps, the tension in the leg releases, resulting in an explosive, efficient swing. This sequence of movements is crucial for unlocking the full potential of the HLP swing.
The “Stretch and Fire Drill” is an excellent tool for finding and understanding the coil around the rear leg, which is essential in the High Level Pattern baseball swing.
