The Linear Move

A lot of people talk about the linear move, but I've found in fastpitch, that a lot of coaches are afraid of it. The first issue I see is when hitters add in pre-swing movement, and really prepare to swing the bat with the entire body coaches are turned off by excessive movement. If a hitter doesn't practice, then they won't know how to use their linear move to make their body strong during rotation. Often I see hitters being taught a linear move, and then they're late on the ball for a tournament. Is that reason to panic? Absolutely not!

Now let me put that is perspective. If you're worried about your daughter being late on the ball in 6 out of the 2,000 games she'll play between now and when she's done playing ball, then you're living in the short term too much. If you live in the short term, then you're not going to make difficult adjustments that allow you to have a swing that can hit Gold or Collegiate level pitching. At some point you've got to make the transition into an upper level swing. It's easier to do it now than when you're a 19-year old college freshman.

Hitter's don't be afraid to swing the bat like the best hitter's in the world. It wasn't easy for them and it won't be easy for you. But don't be fooled. The pitching you see at the younger levels of softball, you can get away with poor mechanics by being a good athlete. Make the swing changes now and have a more successful career. Here is a video about the linear move.
Please e-mail with questions.

Mark Mulvany
Coach@FastpitchTrainer.com