Is a dropping shoulder in batting a no-go? Tips for mastering a level swing
Swings in batting are mainly divided into the following three types:
・Upper swing
・Level swing
・Down swing
In order to get results in a game, you need to experiment with different batting forms and swing paths to find what works best for you. Many of you have probably been told that your "shoulder is dropping."
This article thoroughly explains the correct understanding and improvement methods for shoulder drop in batting. By understanding the incorrect ways your shoulder can drop and practicing effective training methods, you will be able to master a level swing.
【Author Information】
Minoru Hirohata, CEO of Amazing Co., Ltd., commonly known as Minoruman
Played for Hirakata Boys - Osaka Toin High School - Aichi University - JR Tokai's strong team
Won the Giants Cup and served as captain during his time at Osaka Toin. Experienced victory at the Meiji Jingu Tournament.
As a pioneer in baseball instruction, he boasts over 200,000 followers on Youtube and Instagram.
Is it bad for your shoulder to drop in batting?
In batting, the shoulders are not kept perfectly horizontal.
In fact, from the take-back to the top and then to impact, the shoulders move up and down naturally. In other words, it is acceptable for the shoulders to drop within the range of natural body movement.
The important thing is whether or not that shoulder drop is an "incorrect shoulder drop" that negatively affects the swing. Understand the correct way to use your body and the permissible range of shoulder drop, and aim for a batting form that can efficiently transfer power.
Incorrect shoulder drop in batting
There are several patterns of incorrect shoulder drop in batting. Here, we will look in detail at two points that require particular attention: "core collapse" and "weight remaining on the pivot foot, causing the armpit to open."
After understanding the points introduced below, check your own batting form.
Incorrect Point 1: Core is collapsing
When the core collapses, swing stability is lost, leading to an incorrect shoulder drop. This also affects the swing path. For example, if too much weight is on the pivot foot during the swing, the shoulder line will drop, resulting in an uppercut swing. While an uppercut swing is sometimes seen as good for increasing distance in recent years, a level swing is more likely to result in a hit when considering contact rate.
When swinging, you should aim to "keep your body in a straight line from your lower body to your head." If you can swing while keeping your core and axis in a straight line, you will be able to swing with correct batting form even when hitting low balls, without an incorrect shoulder drop.
Incorrect Point 2: Weight remains on the pivot foot, causing the armpit to open
In batting, weight balance is crucial. If too much weight remains on the pivot foot, the shoulder will drop, and for a right-handed batter, the left armpit will open; for a left-handed batter, the right armpit will open.
Opening the armpit makes it difficult to transfer power to the ball and can cause the bat head to drop, so be careful with how you shift your weight. Also, to move your weight smoothly, it is important to firmly transfer your weight from your pivot foot to your stride foot.
Two disadvantages of shoulder drop in batting
As mentioned above, if your shoulder drops incorrectly, it will negatively affect your swing path and rotational movement, making it difficult to achieve good results. Below, we will explain the specific disadvantages and their mechanisms in detail.
Disadvantage 1: Results in an outside-in swing path
When the shoulder drops, the bat follows an "outside-in" swing path, coming from outside the body. An outside-in swing path often results in more ground balls and makes it harder to transfer power to the ball, thus negatively affecting your batting.
Furthermore, if the shoulder drops in the batting form, the bat head will also drop, which can lead to a downswing and an increase in ground balls.
The following article introduces the causes of bat head drop during batting and practice methods to improve it. If you are interested, please refer to it.
https://shop.amazing-baseball.com/blogs/news/batting_head
Disadvantage 2: Insufficient rotational movement
When the shoulder drops, the body's axis shifts, preventing smooth rotational movement. As a result, it becomes difficult to transfer the power generated during the swing to the ball.
If there isn't smooth rotational movement, the power from the lower body won't transfer to the upper body, leading to "arm-only" swings and improper follow-through, which limits the distance of the hit ball. Therefore, aim for a smooth rotation by focusing on your core and body axis during your swing.
3 practice methods to prevent shoulder drop in batting
To prevent incorrect shoulder drop, it is necessary to practice to acquire the correct form. Below, we will introduce three effective practice methods to prevent incorrect shoulder drop. By practicing these methods, you will be able to acquire a level swing that can efficiently transfer power to the ball.
Practice Method 1: The "Swing-Out" Drill
The first method we introduce is the "Swing-Out Drill." To efficiently transfer power to the ball, the step before the swing is crucial. If the step is stable, the body's axis will also be stable, making the swing path less likely to waver.
In this drill, when the heel of the stride foot makes contact, the arms should naturally extend forward from the shoulders during the swing. However, be careful not to raise the elbows at this point, as it will lead to a cramped swing.
The detailed practice method is explained in the video below, so please take a look if you're interested.
Practice Method 2: Homerun Batting Drill
Our CEO Minoruman's direct instruction on the "Homerun Batting Drill" features the "Bow-legged Drill," which is effective for checking shoulder alignment. In this practice method, without using a bat, first interlock your hands with your legs in a bow-legged stance. From there, lean your body slightly forward, take a take-back, and perform a rotational movement. By practicing this, you will be able to develop a sense of keeping your body axis and shoulder line parallel.
The detailed practice method is explained in the video below, so please take a look if you're interested.
Practice Method 3: N-TIP Short Bat Drill
Even practicing with the N-TIP can yield significant results. Use a short bat to practice and teach your body the correct relationship between the bat and your face.
Practicing with this bat will allow you to understand the correct relationship between the bat and your body. As a result, you will quickly notice any anomalies, even if your shoulder drops or your body opens up, making you less likely to fall into a slump.
The detailed practice methods using N-TIP are introduced in the video below, so please check it out if you are interested.
Two points to keep in mind to prevent shoulder drop in batting
To prevent shoulder drop in batting, it's important to keep the following points in mind in addition to practicing the three methods mentioned earlier.
・Tilt your head slightly towards home plate when setting up
・Be mindful of how you step
By being aware of these points, you will be more likely to acquire the correct form. Below, we will explain each point in detail.
Point 1: Tilt your head slightly towards home plate when setting up
First, you should focus on "tilting your head slightly towards home plate when setting up." By tilting your head slightly towards home plate, the line of your shoulders and the line of the bat will become more parallel, allowing you to naturally perform a level swing.
Adjust the angle of your head tilt slightly so that the shoulder line and the bat angle become close to parallel. By mastering the correct stance, your body axis will stabilize, and you should be able to generate a powerful swing.
Point 2: Be mindful of how you step
Being mindful of how you step will ensure smooth weight transfer and prevent your shoulder from dropping.
Specifically, when you step out with your lead foot (the one closest to the pitcher), try to land with your knee slightly bent.
Using your back muscles in addition to your knee movement will make your swing more powerful. If your knee is fully extended when you land, your weight will remain on your back foot, leading to an incorrect shoulder drop. Therefore, be careful with how you use your knee.
Summary
When batting, be careful to avoid the incorrect shoulder drop described in this article.
If your shoulder drops incorrectly, it will lead to a worsened swing path and insufficient body rotation.
However, by understanding the causes of shoulder drop and implementing appropriate practice methods and key points, you can acquire the correct batting form.
Also, for those who want to efficiently acquire the correct form, we recommend "N-TIP [Short/One-Handed Bat]". This product is suitable for checking the relationship between the head and the contact point, and the angle between the shoulder line and the bat.
If you want to efficiently achieve a level swing, please give it a try.
