Internal Rotation
CoracobrachialisFlexion
SupraspinatusStabilization
InfraspinatusExternal Rotation
SubscapularisInternal Rotation
Teres MajorInternal Rotation
Extension
Teres MinorExternal Rotation
Latissimus DorsiExtension
Internal Rotation
Pectoralis MajorHorizontal Flexion
Internal Rotation
Flexion
Extension
ElbowHingeBiceps BrachiiElbow Flexion
BrachialisElbow Flexion
BrachioradialisElbow Flexion
Pronation
Supination
Triceps BrachiiElbow Extension
AnconeusElbow Extension
SupinatorSupination
Pronator TeresPronation
Pronator QuadratusPronation
Wrist-HandEllipsoidExtensor CarpiWrist Extension
Flexor CarpiWrist Flexion
Flexor DigitorumFinger Flexion
Flexor PollicusThumb Flexion
Wrist Flexion
2. Lower Body
Trunk CondyloidRectus AbdominisLumbar Flexion
External ObliqueLumbar Flexion
Rotation
Internal ObliqueLumbar Flexion
Rotation
Erector SpinaeSpine Extension
Splenius MusclesHead ExtensionSternocleidomastoidNeck Flexion
Lateral Rotation
HipBall and SocketIliopsoasHip Flexion
SartoriusHip Flexion
Knee Flexion
Rectus FemorisHip Flexion
Knee Extension
Tensor Fasciae LataeHip Flexion
Gluteus MinimusInternal Rotation
Gluteus MaximusHip Extension
6 Deep Lateral Rot.External Rotation
Biceps FemorisKnee Flexion
Hip Extension
SemitendinosusKnee Flexion
Hip Extension
Internal Rotation
SemimembranosusKnee Flexion
Hip Extension
Internal Rotation
PectineusHip Flexion
Internal Rotation
KneeCondyloidRectus FemorisKnee Extension
Hip Flexion
Vastus LateralisKnee Extension
Vastus IntermediusKnee Extension
Vastus MedialisKnee Extension
PopliteusKnee Flexion
Ankle-FootHingeGastrocnemiusPlantar Flexion
Knee Flexion
SoleusPlantar Flexion
PeroneusPlantar Flexion
Tibialis PosteriorPlantar Flexion
Flexor DigitorumPlantar Flexion
Flexor HallucisPlantar Flexion
Chapter Four: Mechanical
The kinetics and kinematics are important considerations of hitting that often gets overlooked. Isaac Newton’s three laws of motion all apply to softball hitting. Newton’s first law of motion states that an object is at rest and will remain at rest until an outside force acts upon it (Rasch, 1989). In softball, the bat is at rest until the batter applies a force to overcome inertia and once this force is established is does not require a lot of force to keep the bat in motion. Newton’s second law of motion states that the sum of the forces acting on a body in a given direction is equal to the acceleration of the body that direction multiplied by the mass of the body (Rasch, 1989). In other words, Newton’s second law is known as the acceleration law indicating that there is a change in velocity. The batter may change the velocity by speeding up or slowing down the bat speed. By choosing a longer bat, due too the increased striking force distance applied, the increased generated force will increase the velocity. Newton’s third law of motion is the action-reaction principle. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. As a batter is planting and pivoting his/her feet, they are applying a force to set the bat into motion, which is a counterforce to the swing of the bat.
Hitting is a hard technique for many people to develop because there are several forces acting on the batter. The batter must have good timing and coordination to contact the bat with the ball. The result of where the ball will go when hit depends on the direction and the force applied. In order to produce a greater force it is necessary to develop a firm base to increase stability. To increase the batter’s stability, it is necessary to increase resistance and surface friction by wearing cleats. By generating more force it will increase the momentum thus increase the velocity and distance of the ball. The momentum generated can be calculated by the momentum of the bat added to the momentum of the ball. The more force applied and the faster the bat speed the further the ball will travel. As soon as the bat comes into contact with the ball, gravity will immediately take over and the object will fall at a rate of 9.8 m/s2. It is very important that the batter chooses a bat that suits him/her.
When considering the impact and the rebound of the ball in hitting a softball it is necessary to consider that the object and the surface are moving. A softball weighs between 6.25 and 7 ounces. When trying to predict where the ball will go after contact one must consider the elasticity of the ball, the spin of the ball, and the speed and types of pitches. It is important to hit a spinning ball hard and square to increase the distance traveled. It is also necessary when predicting the rebound of the ball it is important to consider the momentum of the ball and the momentum of the striking force. Then the rebound is predicted by the sum of the two momentums.
Center of gravity effects all three phases. It is very important that the batter keeps his/her center of gravity within his/her base. The batter’s center of gravity is where the body rotates and throughout each phase the center of gravity changes. During the preparatory phase it is very important that the center of gravity is within the base. The batter may choose one of the three types of stances (See appendix D), however he/she must keep the body and all points in contact with the ground (See appendix E). It is important for the batter to maintain his/her balance and anytime that the center of gravity goes beyond the line of his/her base, balance is lost. If the batter increases his/her base, it will increase his/her stability.
In the action phase the center of gravity will change (See appendix F). When the batter strides, his/her foot will leave the line of his/her base. It is important for the batter to have strength to support the body. To increase stability, the batter can increase friction. Stability can also be increased if the batter stays in flexion so he/she is low to the ground. When the batter shifts his/her weight from the rear foot to the front foot, he/she should keep his/her base under him/her to help maintain balance.
In the follow through phase the center of gravity will once again change (See appendix G). It is also important in this phase for the batter to keep his/her base wide for balance. If he/she does not, the batter might fall forward or be injured.
Chapter Five: Analysis
In softball like any other game, it is important to work on correcting errors being made during hitting to improve productive. There are errors in all three phases of the softball swing and they can be corrected through practicing and performing proper techniques.
In the preparatory phase there are a few common errors that occur. When gripping the bat, the middle knuckles on both hands should line up. It is also important to grip the bat with the base of the fingers and not in the palms (Johnson, 1984). (See appendix A) Overgripping and to loose of a grip are common errors made in the preparatory phase. Even though it is important to have a solid grip when batting, it is also important not to grip the bat to tightly.
On the other hand the action phase has many errors that may occur during it. The first error that is often made is not watching the ball hit the bat. A batter cannot hit what he/she cannot see. The batter should concentrate and follow the ball all the way to the bat to ensure contact. Another problem that a batter might have is too much hip action. The batter needs to keep the chin tucked into the front shoulder and use less hip rotation. Too much hip action will cause the head to turn away from the pitch and the back elbow to drop resulting in a pop up (See appendix B). It is important to try not to hit the ball with too much hip action and to keep the back elbow up. Another error made in the action phase is overstriding. Overstriding causes the arms to come through and make contact underneath the ball. To correct this problem, the batter needs to start with his/her feet farther apart and then the stride will shorten allowing the weight to shift forward smoothly during the swing (Johnson, 1984). Another error seen in the action phase is the back foot moving when the batter swings. To correct this error the batter should keep his/her weight evenly balanced on both feet but allow the weight to shift forward after striding. The back foot should never leave the ground it should only pivot. During the swing, timing is a major problem. Batters often swing either too late or too early. If the batter is swinging too soon, he/she should close their stance and wait for the pitch. If the batter is swinging too late he/she should open up their stance. The batter may also need to choke up on the bat to increase his/her bat speed. There are also many errors that are made when contacting the ball. A batter who is contacting the ball underneath (resulting in a pop up) needs to try to keep the back elbow up and swing level. The batter also wants to hit the ball with some power. To increase the power of the swing, the batter should step towards the pitcher and attack the ball (See appendix C). Shifting the weight forward with the stride will also increase power.
During the follow through phase the snapping of the wrists sometimes causes a problem. The batter should swing all the way through the ball keeping both hands on the bat. Making sure to snap the wrists at the end of the swing will help in creating more velocity. The follow through will also aid in stability and prevent the batter from injury.
When correcting a batter, one should only correct one error at a time because correcting too many at one time may overload the batter and destroy his/her confidence. When the batter is focused on correcting one error at a time, his/her confidence will continue to grow and they will have success in hitting. Once a batter has developed a smooth swing, the y may concentrate on the technical aspects of hitting. The batter may now start to concentrate on hitting an outside pitch or hitting the ball to the opposite field. When hitting an outside pitch the batter needs to move up in the box, close his/her stance, wait for the pitch and hit the ball when it is near the plate while stepping towards the pitch. When focusing on hitting a ball to the opposite field the batter needs to move back in the box, open his/her stance, swing sooner and hit the ball in front of the plate (See appendix D).
Chapter Six: Conclusion
Now that I