Expert: Jack Elliott - 4/23/2009

Question
hey jack,    i coach a 9 and 10 yaer old minor team. Can you PLEASE tell me how to stop them from dropping there back shoulder during their swing?    thank  you    randy

Answer
Hi Randy,

This is a fairly common issue for a lot of hitters.  The conventional advice given by MLB hitters like Cal Ripken is to keep the front shoulder in and down.  Not only does this help keep the back shoulder from dropping, it helps keep the bat head out in front.

Also, I have included a link to an answer one of our other experts gave regarding this issue.  It is on softball but the response and drills work just as well for baseball and should help your team:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Softball-2562/dropping-shoulder-hitting.htm

One other thing to consider is to make sure the players are not straightening out their front leg during the pitch as this can encourage you to raise your front hip and drop your back shoulder.  Some players have been able to correct this issue by making a concerted effort of bending the front leg when the pitch comes and only locking the front leg when in their swinging motion.  

Hope this helps and good luck to you and your team this season.

Best,
Jack Elliott
http://www.baseballtrainingtechniques.com