The Hard Problems of Misdirection
How to Identify and Resolve
🎯 What is Misdirection?
Any movement that takes energy AWAY from the optimum impact location
Energy flows where attention goes
⛓️ The Misdirection Chain
Eyes
→
Brain
→
Body
→
Barrel
Track incorrectly → Wrong signals → Moves inefficiently → Follows
Core Philosophy
Eyes Lead the Body
Body Leads the Barrel
Body Leads the Barrel
📍 Three Problem Areas
Load
Pre-swing positioning & energy storage
Posture
Rotation mechanics & body control
Extension
Post-contact direction & energy transfer
1
Load Problems
Common Load Issues
Sway/Lunges/Big Strides
Forward momentum before timing
Forward momentum before timing
Stepping in Bucket
Opening front side too early
Opening front side too early
Counter-Rotation
Finding optimal load angle
Finding optimal load angle
Big Wraps
Bat path starts behind zone
Bat path starts behind zone
Open Stances
Context matters - why or why not?
Context matters - why or why not?
Disconnections
Various hand/body separations
Various hand/body separations
2
Posture Problems
The Kinetic Chain
Hip-Shoulder Separation — sequential unwinding creates power
Timing Over Speed — sequencing creates efficiency
Posture Breakdowns
Losing Posture
Standing up through rotation
Standing up through rotation
Front Shoulder Flying
Opening too early, head pulls off
Opening too early, head pulls off
Back Shoulder Drop
Creates inconsistent uppercut
Creates inconsistent uppercut
East-West Bat Paths
Sweeping across the zone
Sweeping across the zone
⚠️ #1 Misdirection Killer
FRONT SHOULDER FLYING
Eyes come off → Shoulder follows
Fix the eyes first, shoulder often fixes itself
Fix the eyes first, shoulder often fixes itself
3
Extension
Redefining Extension
❌ Not This
Arm-length at contact
✓ This
Direction of energy after contact
The difference between "long" and "through"
Post-Contact Direction
✓ Good Extension
Barrel drives THROUGH THE BALL
Energy transfers through
❌ Misdirection
Pulling off TOWARD PULL SIDE
Energy leaks away
🔧 Progressive Fix Approach
Fix Eyes and Tracking — See-Think-Move methodology
Fix Load Misdirection — Establish proper launch position
Maintain Posture Through Rotation — Keep athletic position
Extension Happens Naturally — The result, not the focus
Fix the chain in order
4
Solutions & Correctives
⚠️ Why Contact Space Matters
When ball gets too deep → Problems cascade
Lack of space triggers compensations
Posture changes → Back shoulder drops
Contact space is where good swings live or die
1Heavy Ball Work
Create resistance to promote staying through contact
Back shoulder stays through
Top hand behind ball
Don't cut or slice
Stay in zone longer
2Open 45° Setup
Train proper directional sequencing with chest and back shoulder
Start 45° open stance
Load front shoulder into back knee
Hit ball dead middle
"Don't make it about the hips. Make it about the chest and back shoulder."
3Lower Tee Work
Invest in a lower tee (knee-high) — forces proper spine angle
Maintains posture longer
Low ball = High posture demands
Tanner Tee: Low stem available separately
4Three-Ball Extension
Improve extension and post-contact direction
Hit real ball
Hit imaginary ball
Hit imaginary ball
Forces extension through zone, prevents early direction change
5Yoga Blocks
Tee work or front toss while balanced on blocks
Balance corrected
Posture maintained or fall
Instant feedback
"The blocks don't lie"
6Closed 45° Drill
Limit over-rotation of hips, stabilize lower body
Stops pulling off
Proper sequencing
Hips stabilize
For players over-emphasizing hip turn
7Net Behind Back
Force higher finish, keep barrel in zone longer
Net ~1 foot behind
Dry swing only
Fixes East-West paths
If you sweep across, you hit the net
Key Takeaway
Misdirection is Coachable
Once you know where to look
Once you know where to look
🎯 Your Challenge
Video 5 hitters this week
Identify their primary misdirection
Look for: Load → Posture → Extension
❓ Questions to Consider
Fix misdirection to improve extension OR focus on extension to minimize misdirection?
Is it eyes, load, posture — or all three?
