If you train junior baseball hitters to squash the bug, you’ve only put them in a hole. Smashing the bug involves a small muscle movement that reduces the power and speed of the bat. Some young baseball hitters are taught to twist or turn their back foot to create more bat speed and swing power. Nothing can be further than the truth. Also, it’s nearly impossible to hit middle or outside pitches with the sweet spot of the bat if you have a problem with your foot rolling backwards. A sure pop!

Why are young baseball hitters still being taught the swing technique called swatting the bug?

Some coaches believe that hitters need to be on the balls of their feet at the point of contact. This is commonly known and taught as “squash the bug”, “squash the bug”, “squash the bug” and “squash the bug”. Coaches who advocate this swing technique are often youth league coaches. This swing technique is not what the big hitters in the minor and major leagues do.

Trainers who still advocate the insect swing smash technique generally do so for one of the following reasons:

1. Coaches often have big egos and believe their methods are better than others.

2. The coach is underestimating the potential and abilities of young baseball hitters.

3. They have never seen a video of professional hitters, in slow motion, frame by frame.

When viewing live speed videos or still images, you will probably see what appears to squash error. But when viewed frame by frame, you’ll see that the bug doesn’t squash until well after the point of contact. The heel being lifted off the ground and the ball of the foot turning is actually the result of the body rotating about its center of mass or axis.

Another reason why some trainers still advocate squashing the bug.

They believe it’s a simple way to teach hip rotation to young baseball hitters.

Some people argue that too many coaches underestimate what youth baseball hitters can do. No matter how you look at it, or what the reasons are, teaching minor leaguers the wrong swing techniques only sets them up for failure as they progress through the higher leagues of baseball.

Young baseball hitters need to learn the proper way to swing the bat early on so that what they learn doesn’t have to be unlearned later. Most adults know how hard it is to break bad habits.

In case you’ve been taught the wrong way to punch, here are some tips to unlearn the bug swing technique smash.

Try to swing the bat while your back foot is planted on the ground. See if you can swing without moving your rear heel off the ground. Keep practicing until you can. Also, it can be helpful to work on taking outside shots off the tee. This will help you strike with your heels and prevent your foot from turning too soon. Turning your foot before the point of contact greatly reduces bat speed and power.

When players of any age learn the correct swing rotation technique, they will be able to hit balls over the outfield fence, even if they are the youngest kids on the team.