I think for a little guy watching his swing and wanting to incorporate any of this into their swing, pay attention to the knob of his bat, always pointing towards the catcher, keeping him loaded, even thought his body is moving forward, also love how his front leg locks up at contact.
I’ve worked with both my sons to achieve this type of violent swing ! They’re both very athletic & have gained tons of success from it! Kind of explain to them that the batter needs to over match what a pitcher is bringing, hence a leg kick! Always saw Baez & Trout using a similiar swing & dId not realized Donaldson promoted & mastered it!
I know this is an old video. I'm coaching my 8 yr old. Started him kind of late but up to this point he wasn't really all that instructable or coordinated ... His natural movements are big like this. Big leg kick. I was pulling my hair out trying to quiet his swing ... went back to just letting him do this. And tweaked it off of donaldsons swing and the results are 1000xs better. I don't know what it is. He is a big kid. His first introduction to athletics was Tae Kwon Do that he has been doing for almost 3 yrs. So maybe that is part of it ... if I try to quiet his swing it throws his timing off so much
From a perspective of teaching kids (and I am teaching 7-9 yo) What I like about his swing is that his front foot opens up as his foot lands. With many other pro swings, the front foot lands parallel to the back foot and then it opens in a jerking motion as they swing. I find that would be hard to teach. I can do away with the up and down bat movements, but find Josh's foot movement much easier to teach.
Donaldson dispels the myth of "opening up to early" - the old concern that early hip rotation will result in foul balls. So a kid would rocket a foul ball, and the coach says "don't point that foot forward" and then they hit a weak dribbler down the middle. "Great!" The correct diagnosis is "Swing later, kid." One thing that aspiring athletes in ANY sport need to consider is that the mechanics you can (and should) utilize depend on the strength and force production of various parts of your body. If you are emulating a guy with 16" forearms, and yours are 10", good luck.
Ray Givler there’s a caveat. Donaldsons front foot might be open but his hips are still back and loaded. Open foot doesn’t indicate u flying out of the box, what matters is where ur hips are once your front foot is planted. And what does the forearm have anything to do with mechanics?
matt....what kinda injury protection does Donaldson get at the plate....looks like some elbow protection on the left arm and an extra ear thing on the helmet....i played in h.s but with a facemask usually attached to a helmet and a semi permanent shinguard during almost every Ab
Yes that stuff definitely can help. I never used any of it, but most wasn't popular yet when I was playing. Thanks for watching our stuff and commenting!
I was wondering, I’m 19 I had scholarships to go play ball in college but my senior year I retire my acl and mcl for the second time and I lost the scholarships. I played my senior year and pitched and was limited on pushing off but threw around 87. I was just released and was wondering if I should try to go to college or should I try to go try out for a mlb team.
I think for a little guy watching his swing and wanting to incorporate any of this into their swing, pay attention to the knob of his bat, always pointing towards the catcher, keeping him loaded, even thought his body is moving forward, also love how his front leg locks up at contact.
Great points! Thanks for watching and commenting!
I’ve worked with both my sons to achieve this type of violent swing ! They’re both very athletic & have gained tons of success from it! Kind of explain to them that the batter needs to over match what a pitcher is bringing, hence a leg kick! Always saw Baez & Trout using a similiar swing & dId not realized Donaldson promoted & mastered it!
it’s like a haymaker every swing. love it.
Love the videos man keep them coming. Even as somebody who don't play competitively anymore I still find them interesting and enjoyable
Thanks so much!!! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Look at the strain on Donaldson's left calf at 8:19.
Can you do Francisco Lindor from both sides of the plate and see if he does everything the same?
Yeah I can try to put something together! Thanks for watching and commenting!
I know this is an old video. I'm coaching my 8 yr old. Started him kind of late but up to this point he wasn't really all that instructable or coordinated ... His natural movements are big like this. Big leg kick. I was pulling my hair out trying to quiet his swing ... went back to just letting him do this. And tweaked it off of donaldsons swing and the results are 1000xs better. I don't know what it is. He is a big kid. His first introduction to athletics was Tae Kwon Do that he has been doing for almost 3 yrs. So maybe that is part of it ... if I try to quiet his swing it throws his timing off so much
From a perspective of teaching kids (and I am teaching 7-9 yo) What I like about his swing is that his front foot opens up as his foot lands. With many other pro swings, the front foot lands parallel to the back foot and then it opens in a jerking motion as they swing. I find that would be hard to teach. I can do away with the up and down bat movements, but find Josh's foot movement much easier to teach.
1:37. Look how open his left foot is. Donaldson strides with an open left foot.
Donaldson dispels the myth of "opening up to early" - the old concern that early hip rotation will result in foul balls. So a kid would rocket a foul ball, and the coach says "don't point that foot forward" and then they hit a weak dribbler down the middle. "Great!" The correct diagnosis is "Swing later, kid." One thing that aspiring athletes in ANY sport need to consider is that the mechanics you can (and should) utilize depend on the strength and force production of various parts of your body. If you are emulating a guy with 16" forearms, and yours are 10", good luck.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Ray Givler there’s a caveat. Donaldsons front foot might be open but his hips are still back and loaded. Open foot doesn’t indicate u flying out of the box, what matters is where ur hips are once your front foot is planted. And what does the forearm have anything to do with mechanics?
what software is this to draw on the video? Whats one that can be used on a laptop?
That front hip opening up a split second before his front foot touches down is key. Wow! 92 mph bat speed 😯
I mean obviously there is more to it than just his front hip, but that hip firing when it does is pretty unique.
matt....what kinda injury protection does Donaldson get at the plate....looks like some elbow protection on the left arm and an extra ear thing on the helmet....i played in h.s but with a facemask usually attached to a helmet and a semi permanent shinguard during almost every Ab
Yes that stuff definitely can help. I never used any of it, but most wasn't popular yet when I was playing. Thanks for watching our stuff and commenting!
Any ideas or thoughts on how a Leg kick swinger can adjust to off speed pitches without being forward to early?
jsal67 keep your hands back
Loads hands after negative moves should increase stretch
I was wondering, I’m 19 I had scholarships to go play ball in college but my senior year I retire my acl and mcl for the second time and I lost the scholarships. I played my senior year and pitched and was limited on pushing off but threw around 87. I was just released and was wondering if I should try to go to college or should I try to go try out for a mlb team.
What were you released from? Thanks for watching and commenting!
Antonelli Baseball I just got released from my second acl and mcl year in my knee.
But he uses his inside muscles very well and that respect he is compact
When Donaldson makes contact with the ball he is swinging up not down, nor level. His arms only extend until after he makes contact.
My swing is like his instead of the leg kid and I open my knee and foot open like him.
Willie Mays
I'll do my best! Thanks for watching and commenting!
2nd
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Antonelli Baseball no man, thank you for the content. I love your channel.
The best thing to do is to try to copy everything Ken Griffey Jr did.
1st
Thanks for watching and commenting!
I could never hit with that leg kick, timing needs to be perfect and my eyes move to much
Yeah some guys really like it while others don't. I think the stride is really personal preference. Thanks for watching and commenting!
amazingly long at bat. :)