Power - lead arm or top hand

[FA13]

have heard numerous times that the top hand is the power hand, but then hear the exact opposite from others? Which hand should be the focus? which is providing the power? Is it the lead arm pull or more the top hand push?

 

[pontiacfb78]

I always assumed (ass+u+me) that because right handed batters have their dominant had at the top, that it would be more responsible for the power, and the lower hand is there to guide and pull the bat through the swing. I could be wrong though.....

 

[B-radical]

Using an overlap grip you would think the top hand starts the "snap/whip" that creates power....... bottom starts the pull, top whips it around.....but what do I know....not much

 

[Redman]

Bottom hand! Haha but I throw right bat left so for me it feels that I pull that bat not push it.

But for full overlap grips I would think the stronger hand should be on top

 

[dponder]

Neither, it's the lower half of your body. What do I win?

Focusing on your hands is taking time and energy away from what actually attributes to a powerful swing. If you do things right upstream, the barrel will snap on its own.

 

[pontiacfb78]

I think op was looking for an excuse to beefcake up his right arm without having to worry about the other hand getting lonely....

 

[rmp0012002]

I've always been told the lead arm controls your swing.

 

[Dirt27]

Bottom hand! Haha but I throw right bat left so for me it feels that I pull that bat not push it.

But for full overlap grips I would think the stronger hand should be on top

I've always been told the lead arm controls your swing.

^^^not sure on the exact "science" of it. But Ted Williams did give credit to his being right hand dominant and batting lefty as the stronger arm closer to the ball in his book. I too bat lefty and throw righty...all of us great hitters are that way!! Lol.

 

[lilrunte]

Neither, it's the lower half of your body. What do I win?

Focusing on your hands is taking time and energy away from what actually attributes to a powerful swing. If you do things right upstream, the barrel will snap on its own.

This is the right answer... the power comes from your legs not your hands. Power is generated from the ground up, if you want more juice you gotta work on your legs and hips (which is a rarety in softball)

 

[Jack44]

If you have ever seen an individual who was born with only one arm or hand swing a bat they take a stance where their hand is to the back and I have seen some really good one handed ball players.

 

[jbo911]

I know gym lifting helps, but has anyone found anything that helps more than taking a lot of swings? I've seen way more skinny guys with good technique who took a ton of swings playing baseball hit farther than I have gym rats. I know part of that is because everyone notices when a big old muscle bound guy hits like a sally, and when a skinny guy crushes, but that's just what I've observed.

I think I'm just bitter that I can't take more bp than I do.

 

[rhound50]

The answer is both. Want proof, go out with a tee and take one arm swings with each arm and see how far the ball goes.

 

[jbo911]

The answer is both. Want proof, go out with a tee and take one arm swings with each arm and see how far the ball goes.

It goes a lot farther with my left, but I hit it more consistently with my right. I have an actual power and average arm.

 

[Cubsuns]

Bottom hand! Haha but I throw right bat left so for me it feels that I pull that bat not push it.

But for full overlap grips I would think the stronger hand should be on top

This for me also. Throw right bat left, so this is how i feel i bat. When i switch hit my top (right) hand feels more dominant.

 

[phxraida15]

Got Dominican buddy that played a lot of baseball... He always told me to pull with your bottom hand... Keeps your hands in and helps prevent casting... Top hand you wanna punch with when your bottom hand clears your chest... He said when you can get your timing down on both these things, you will become more consistent and simplify your swing...

Also if you pull with your bottom hand, you will notice how much you get your hips involved... Also had a good player on this board tell me to pull with the bottom hand...

Pull punch!

 

[Dars]

Watch Chris Greinert swing. His swing is bigtime bottom hand dominant, and he absolutely destroys the ball.

 

[rhound50]

It goes a lot farther with my left, but I hit it more consistently with my right. I have an actual power and average arm.

Its cause you are using a line drive bat with your power arm and a power bat for your right arm. That is the softball version of crossing the streams.

 

[A Salt Weapon]

Its cause you are using a line drive bat with your power arm and a power bat for your right arm. That is the softball version of crossing the streams.

Also adding one of those "ka-pow" stickers might help.

 

[jhitman]

have heard numerous times that the top hand is the power hand, but then hear the exact opposite from others? Which hand should be the focus? which is providing the power? Is it the lead arm pull or more the top hand push?

The legs/hips/core are the supply for a powerful swing. Absolutely the lead hand/arm should pull hard with a push from the top hand. Concentrate on the lead arm pulling hard. Also, have your weight back and on the balls of your feet, but you should feel balanced and level at all times. I try to build momentum by starting slow into the hitting zone and the accelerating through the hitting zone with max speed. Most people I watch hit try to load up and swing really hard but their bat slows down through the hitting zone. Bat speed through the hitting zone is going to give you max distance.

 

[Triple7]

Um.... Both. But mostly your legs.

 

[dtrotd]

The above post is the best visualization of this...Pull Punch
If you get into your batting stance and go through your normal swing one handed, you will see.

You can focus on your ability to "pull" through the zone with your bottom hand
You can focus on your ability to "punch" and power through with your top hand

 

[tap2284]

Um.... Both. But mostly your legs.

Both hands huh?? Explain? And I agree hips, legs, core factor in a lot more than people think.

All this talk about the top hand, how much "power" does it provide with a complete overlap grip???

 

[tap2284]

You'd be surprised. Even with a full overlap grip your top hand can still dominate if you let it. For me that usually means snapping too early on the ball and rolling over it.

I wouldn't be surprised..... If someone learns how to hit with the full overlap properly, that won't happen.....

 

[kaos]

I use a modified overlap grip - can the top hand still dominate that much? How can you tell if top handing dominating too much - ground balls, rolling over?

 

[jermlandro]

Your top hand should be more of a guide and assist hand. Bottom hand should be doing the most work.

 

[WarHorse]

Your bottom hand is your power hand. The top hand guides the bat. As the bat enters the zone you're going to release your guide hand and use your power hand to whip the bat.

For more power, masturbate with your left hand if you're right handed. And masturbate often. Will make you stronger and more whippy.

 

[Sully]

I wouldn't be surprised..... If someone learns how to hit with the full overlap properly, that won't happen.....

Can you clarify this? What would he be doing wrong on the overlap that would cause the top hand to dominate too much?

 

[dponder]

Premature snap, rolling over. You'll feel it if you do it wrong.

I agree. Top spin is a good indication you are rolling over. If you eliminate the top hand roll over at contact, your direction will be better and you will find back spin easier to produce.

 

[phoenix26]

The ball that Greinert hit at the 1:34 mark looks like it went 700'