HOW TO TURN THE BARREL | BASEBALL HITTING TIPS

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Get our FREE hitting drill by clicking the link below! antonellibaseball.mykajabi.com/hittingdrill

[@scottbrown5815]

I used your hitting tutorial for 2 weeks now to retrain my 15 year old sons swing off the tee and his exit velo using pocket radar and slo mo video and he went from averaging 68 to now averaging 77 mph. I would say your method works. Thanks for the video.

[@MyerheadsCards]

OMG. I could watch this on a perpetual loop. GREAT!!

[@seans155]

Great stuff Matt, dare I say it's almost common sense? Due to how well you explain and demonstrate.

[@daveb8795]

One of the best videos I've seen about turning the barrel. You really nailed it in this one.

[@straightshooter8443]

Man, how I wish the internet was around when I was a kid. Well, for some things... others, not so much because I did a lot of really dumb things. But this, this is golden. Great stuff Matt. Oh, thanks for the game 7 Live stuff. Also, did you know Brad Penny, pitched the bigs for a bit. My wife went to HS with him.

[@stephendufort4154]

Matt that was just the best explanation of how to turn the barrel period I have ever heard or seen, brief ,clear ,concise 10 points for that

[@antichrist2558]

Matt's a legend for giving out this big league advice for free to anybody that wants it. There should be no excuse for players that can't afford coaching with stuff like this online.

[@JW-dy8ru]

As a youth, I was a 'pusher'. Oh man. You demonstrated EXACTLY what I did wrong for years. It cost me dearly in my performance. This demonstration makes so much sense. Excellent video!

[@MrButterFilmz]

This is awesome stuff I’ve been learning this swing for quite some time now and there’s definitely been major improvements. I like to use keywords to visualize what it’s supposed to be and I like to say you snap the bat back

[@thinlizzy7946]

I learned this swing from Mickey Dean who is now the Head Softball coach At Auburn, when we started turning the knob and doing the same exact swing it ended up putting my daughter Carli Hill in the Virginia state record books for home runs as well as Megan Good who played for me in travel and high school, who was also Schutt National NCAA College softball player of the year. It irks me to make batters chop down on a ball, you have to hit the ball perfect, and I mean perfect to hit one out. Good video

[@togamac]

Love everything you say Matt! Now, if you could only teach us how to put it into practice! My granddaughter is currently the worst hitter on her 12U fastpitch team. Her coach was telling her to do the things you're telling us to do in this video. Her brain is so full of this stuff that she cannot pull the trigger at the plate. In the past week, I pitched 300 balls to her from 20 feet at about 25 MPH and told her, "Forget everything the coaches want you to do. Just hit the ball to the best of your ability." She crushed 90% of my pitches. We laughed about it and now call it our "No brainer" practice. I can see her confidence growing by the session! She has a tournament this weekend and can't wait to get to the plate. I see good things coming. I'll let you know here how she does.

[@rslwannabe9475]

Well... The best way for me to do it is OVERTHINK it massively. Step 1: Overthink EVERYTHING Step 2: Learn all the mechanics to hitting and answer every question you have about it Step 3: Experiment Step 4: Underthinking it Step 5: Dingers

[@rslwannabe9475]

So basically learning everything there is to know and improving it yourself

[@beausimpson3506]

Matt I tried this today at practise and all I can say is - I wish I learned this years ago! It was night and day difference. I went from a weak groundball hitter to crushing every pitch! I think I am even better than Kyle Saul now! Lol. The way you explained it was awesome - thank you so much!

[@jaymontalvo7745]

Matt I followed your career through the Majors. And yes, some may say pros should have in depth knowledge on hitting. But your breakdown process and presentations are like no other in my opinion. Not only have I been able to raise my level of knowledge on hitting personally, but I’m now able to pass along the info to our youngsters with confidence and a much better knowledge base then before. Thx!

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Hey thanks so much and good luck to you!!!

[@reedrh]

Wish I came across this concept 20 years ago! So cool, instruction has come such a long way. Thanks for the video!

[@dape8993]

Perhaps a more concise way of explaining this action is to say that instead of initiating the swing by drawing the hands diagonally across the chest, a hitter should start the swing by dropping the back elbow. That will create all the correct effects you discuss here.

[@rslwannabe9475]

That's exactly what bat drag would want you too say 0-0 sus

[@taylonottinger6377]

Don’t want to drive the elbow down as a lot of players don’t have the upper back strength so it cause the barrwll and backside to collapse

[@dape8993]

@@taylonottinger6377 No wants to "drive" the back elbow down; that type of action is too forceful. If the rear elbow gradually drops or slots into the side the barrel will turn, as Antonelli describes, properly and naturally. In fact, the knob describes a small loop or circle when that happens. Goldschmidt is a good example of this.

[@chrislewis5069]

I would agree with you only thing I would adjust with the wording is pointing the elbow forwarding instead of dropping but it’s almost the same thing

[@troublet1859]

talking about dropping the elbow is always touchy since too much or too deliberate can lead to barrel dumping or bat dragging under... Like others are saying let it drop but in connection with the hip turn to facilitate this barrel turn/loop.

[@toddfelts7019]

100 percent truth.... sometimes super hard to get parents to buy in

[@kevinklippel6223]

This video is profound. Perfect explanation of the modern pro swing. Unfortunately, so many LL coaches and dad's believe pushing the knob to the ball is the correct foundation of the swing. Thus, the bath path is descending (as is the ball path) making it difficult to square up the ball and drive it. The finish position tells the truth of what coach is teaching: elbows keep an equal spacing, straight line from the lead elbow thru the barrel (@ 8:58) and a rising bat path to meet a descending pitch... oh, and don't forget... palm up, palm down. The barrel must tip back and snap thru to hit the ball power. From Ruth, Williams, Aaron to Bonds... they all turned the bat like coach is teaching.

[@jeremyblascoe8711]

I think barry bonds would disagree with u. Go watch some of his instructional videos, hes completely against the launch angle stuff. The modern baseball swing equals high strike out percentage in the big leagues so u can only imagine what little leaguers who dont have that kinda talent are doing. Striking out and giving up on baseball. But to each their own, good luck no matter the swing u choose...

[@webgem14]

@@jeremyblascoe8711 - Nobody mentioned launch angle, but since you brought it up launch angle is determined by where the bat makes contact with the ball, not the attack angle of the bat. What a correct angle does is get the bat to be in plane with the ball for longer, resulting in more line drives and fewer strikeouts. Ted Williams does a good job of showing why this is the case in his books. I don't know what Bonds says in his instruction, but having seen him hit enough, I know he was very good at doing exactly what Matt describes here... I will say, I imagine that many hitters have too much tilt on the barrel as Matt describes near the end. That will no doubt cause issues as well, but that is one of the things that is trying to be addressed.

[@dougventrelli]

Awesome stuff Matt...I'm wondering if you can recommend any drills to break this move down to help teach to younger players?

[@yeetusthy3489]

Nice vid matt! Can you maybe do a vid on mike trouts swing?

[@knucleballfreedom]

I passed your channel to all my adult boys on town ball team! Great video. Happy you are as passionate as I am on teaching ball. Thanks for being so committed.

[@Kyle-yf9fv]

Great vid Matt! Can you please make a video on yelich’s swing?

[@stevealcorn7599]

Go to Inside Corner Softball on FB. You will have to scroll a bit but there is video of him with very good commentary.

[@KroMcLovinFaSho]

Hey Matt, I was wondering if you'd do a video on the pros and cons of specializing in one sport as a youth. You're an interesting case because you played football, hockey, and baseball in high school but nowadays you're all baseball, baseball, baseball. Also you're a product of travel baseball; many travel ball teams these days require you to focus on baseball year-round but apparently you were able to make time for football and hockey. What approach are you going to take with your kids? Are you going to encourage them to play multiple sports throughout the year? What sports do they play now?

[@niteshnitesh867.]

Great Sir ,Lovely❤❤...

[@Stonewallx39]

Such a good video!

[@mikemurphy8996]

Very well done bro. Love your breakdown of the proper way to attack the ball. I really enjoyed this. You and Bobby Tewksbary are my two favourite guys on hitting.

[@osvaldobalbuena9646]

Secrets of greatness 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jdholtz]

I was just needing this!! Thx Matt!!

[@anthonyk1234]

Thanks for the video, very helpful to my swing.

[@roberttirschman6524]

Matt, I agree 100% in this swing and what I have taught my son.. But I guess he kinda spins on his back foot.. Where he would knock over a bucket if placed behind the heel. Were now being advised to work toward the pitcher to create separation from the bucket and allowing proper heel turn essentially. Let me know your thoughts on back foot drive. Should it move or spin. Your heel in this video looks like our swing mechanics but this bucket drill has me thinking.. Great Video my man.

[@tysonrinker5958]

One of the most difficult things for me about baseball is there is so many different ways of teaching, its hard to know which way to go. I've heard coaches say put the knob to the ball, dont put the knob to the ball, lean back , dont lean back, etc etc. I guess I'll just do what works for me. I like this swing .

[@chadthurs8078]

best explanation of turning the barrel - got it now

[@derekshatzer8946]

My son does really well with this when the ball is down the middle and a little above the belt. Any suggestions for low and away or inside pitches?

[@charlesreynolds5020]

I love this explanation. My 10 year old is really struggling with what you are talking about swinging down and then cutting across his body, driving a lot of balls right in the ground. How do you teach them to turn the barrel like you are doing without them getting under the ball and go from hitting lots of weak ground balls to now hitting popups?

[@shantellmajorrolle538]

No they go from weak ground balls to linedrives

[@FentonMorrissey]

Can you show all 4 batting angles of turning the barrel ie from behind catcher, front of chest, front back and head on? I think younger players get confused at what point the turn becomes a swing - at some hands have to cut over, etc...

[@Georgieboy_4]

Another great one Matt. Thanks again!

[@just.do.something]

I'm dying to go to the batting cages after watching this!

[@jsal67]

This is great. Perfect explanation. Any thoughts on hitters that launch rearward on Tee work but struggle a bit against velocity? Is that mainly a timing thing where they need to start earlier? Or more of a fundamental swing flaw that needs more and more reps in the right path? Thanks

[@Badluckstrick]

If they do it fine on the tee, but struggle getting it back with velo, they need to focus on their mechanics at the plate, and maybe start a bit earlier to get the swing going. tell him to change his trigger or when he loads

[@solly2065]

Great video! You explain it very well

[@258421jberner]

my son has been following this and he's doing such a great job. He absolutely connects with a great velocity with the middle to inside pitch. He's completely missing that outside pitch. Any recommendations on those outside pitches?

[@randyshain4943]

Let the ball travel more. The key is to pick up the pitch early and know it’s going outside and then adjust by letting it travel and going opposite field with it

[@johnz4562]

Awesome explanation. Perfect 👌

[@amberandkurtthomas6548]

Would u say the top hand dominates the swing and the bottom hand is along for the ride? Or is it both hands working together? Does the back elbow slot to the side? Also loading I have heard front back pocket turns to the pitcher, belly button to the catcher, and rock your shoulders like you’re rocking a baby. Are these true?

[@stevealcorn7599]

I feel bad for the 4 dopes who gave this a thumbs down. Glad you're not coaching my kids!

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Haha thanks!

[@DrewVerdin]

We gotta get Matt an inhaler for when he does these videos bc he gets out of breath 😆🤘 thanks for the videos Matt we love you man

[@nicolasbitcoin2549]

I think you fixed my golf swing

[@patrickharrison4763]

Dude, where were you when I was 12!? Would have been a little league bomber, haha. Thank you for this vid, helped me a lot.

[@Joost-uh6pe]

Thank you Matt

[@STEVE-lk2ft]

As in a golf swing it looks like the swing towards the ball is rotation and not pulling the arms? Is that the feeling you have?

[@mesiblack]

That's was nice explicación

[@johnwilson6319]

Matt you are right but wouldn't it be simpler to say you feeling like your pulling a rope over your shoulder then Thu finish high or thru with slight tilt as in your other video ala Miguel Cabrera

[@poetrybaseball8481]

Whenever i hit i try doing the launch angle but i tend to put my back shoulder down and pop up how do i solve that?

[@bubblediddy]

Great video, and the opposite of what's being taught today... Producing a lot of one dimensional pull hitting.

[@rslwannabe9475]

so y ou have to snap the barrel back with your wrist? Or in some way? Even if everything else in your swing was perfect, you still have to turn the barrel cause it wont happen on its own just by everything else working perfectly?

[@ColeKosco]

Gold

[@swiftey3973]

Hi my name is Samuel and I was wondering if I could send you a video of me hitting through email and you could tell me if I have a correct swing because when I look at it I can’t tell if I’m doing the correct steps regarding the turning vs pushing and dropping my barrel so on and so forth...

[@Lessgetpaid]

Is this the same or similar to TeacherMan ?

[@joseb7351]

Sure is

[@stephenwyda2568]

Is this the correct bat path swing for fastpitch softball?

[@MEGATBLAZER]

Yes, in fact, softball (be it fastpitch or slowpitch) and baseball use the same swing principles when it comes to the barrel turn

[@sgraham1008]

Does this work for slow pitch softball?

[@fernandopalencia4991]

I feel stupid asking this but...does this work for slow pitch softball? I’m struggling! 10 years and I suck!

[@jimmywilson852]

Is there a particular drill to work on that path swing ?

[@danieljones9641]

When did you make varsity

[@tytoups237]

I like it ... Picasso!

[@whoisjohngalt11]

Is this the same technique Richard Schenck is teaching? At least with the hands it looks similar.

[@MEGATBLAZER]

it's the same concept, different explanation, richard, matt and chris o'leary have been teaching this for a while now

[@nickremo2025]

Can you get super in depth with infield arm circles on a infield throwing mechanics vid. Thx

[@josephbassil4171]

Yes barrel turn is not a forced action

[@mikeliang583]

How are you not going to drop your hands?

[@stephendufort4154]

maybe u can compare teacher man , and your version barrel to the ball, mind u teacher man is a feisty old guy and will not appreciate. or tolerate any contradictions very well???

[@markpolo5618]

guy knows his chit..

[@agent-proofme7720]

Close your eyes and listen to Howard Stern.

[@josephbassil4171]

Wow that is how you lose the barrel. Too much teacherman. Bonds catch drill proves that is not correct.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

A drill proves this isn’t correct?

[@mlbb6584]

who played pro ball? your word against his and teachermen

[@pwatchem2868]

Over explanation… Gotta be a simpler way to explain this movement

[@willtrauterman3946]

You are making it too complicated to follow. Talking so much about all the things to not do makes it harder to keep track of what you are saying I should do

[@haydenanderson1373]

Do you need to teach this better because it’s only taught me how to hit a pop up something I didn’t want to learn how to do thumbs down video

[@uhit3353]

Terrible. Not what good hitters do.

[@jbond7000]

Yes it is. Watch Matt's Pete Alonso hitting video.

[@benbarnes5542]

You could not be more wrong. You must not watch good hitters

[@jerfata4742]

It’s exactly how it should be done