RaxHax Baseball + Softball Academy

Ground Force Patterning - Stride Direction - Exit Velocity Gains . Over the past month, after analyzing in-season game tape and trackman data, I have been integrating valslides into my early work routine in an attempt to study the effect on my front side landing mechanics / ground force pattern / lead leg blocking patterns. Results have been notable, with avg + peak exit velocities per session up 3-4 mph over the previous month, and 4-5 mph over the same period 1 year ago. All training variables remaining constant. . The intention behind the use of the valslides has been to study the relationship between ground force, ground pressure, ball flight, and exit velocity. As an individual who has fallen into the trap of overstriding at times, I wanted to tinker with my stride direction to see if I could manipulate sequencing and gain power without sacrificing direction to the baseball. In our research, we have found inverse correlations between linear stride length and barrel direction once stride length reaches an unsustainable level, and depending on a hitter’s movement profile, certain candidates would benefit from taking a diagonal stride towards home plate in order to leverage a more explosive lower half pattern from load to rear hip launch. In season, I have never intentionally stepped across towards the plate. I noticed on some of my most optimal outcomes in 2024, I did just that. I wanted to test this theory in my training facility. For more depth into our findings, please feel to reach out to me directly. . In simple terms, as many hitters would tell you, they may feel most powerful from taking a longer stride and larger loading move; but it is hard to control said move and be accurate with barrel in game speed conditions if you are “too long”. Establishing that threshold would require insight into an athlete’s movement profile (movement screens). I have used the valslides in three ways: - under front foot -under rear foot -under both feet . What I have gained from using the valslides is an understanding of: -When I am shifting weight optimally from loaded position -How to use my loading mechanics to gather more sustainable force, and where pressure needs to be to maintain direction -How my front foot landing mechanics impacts my lead leg block -How to separate front hip / pelvic direction from weight shift into front foot -How to lock in on initiating a better load in order to set up sequencing from foot strike to contact . To note, I am a 31 year old pro who just finished their 8th season. My weight has remained constant to within 2 or 3 lbs variance since I was 23. A velocity bump as such is significant. . For anyone struggling to get hitters to maximize their athleticism and loading mechanics without sacrificing accuracy, hope this helps! . RaxHax Baseball + Softball Academy #hitters #blastmotion #measurement #baseball #hittingcoach

Early fall work has involved pairing swing profile metrics from Blast Motion with batted ball profile information. Our team is diligent in testing/tracking/recording outcomes including angular data and exit velocity and looking for patterns within the context of pitch profiles/locations. We look for correlations and patterns in order to understand hitter tendencies / exit velocities+batted ball profiles sorted by: - locations - pitch speeds - pitch types - pitch sequences - release point / pitch approach angles . We are seeking to use this information and data to best help hitters prepare for their seasons by having a thorough understanding of strengths and weaknesses. Video below was an LHP sweeper during open skill machine work . Stay tuned as we continue to share insights both here and on our socials RaxHax Baseball + Softball Academy https://lnkd.in/e78qpd_t https://lnkd.in/eFBtjjQt . #hitters #hitting #Baseball #baseballcoach #playerdevelopment

4 Buckets to Hitting Mastery: - Swing - Physical Conditioning - Tactics (Strategy + Approach) - Emotional Control Each has a unique value, yet none are optimized without the others. Many will throw $ and time at showcases, travel tournaments, club teams, yet how many environments and programs are helping you develop each of these? There is a reason hitting is the most difficult thing to master in all of sports. . Show me a quarterback that plays who completes 30% of their passes. Show me a shooter who hits 30% of their shots on the court. In Major League Baseball, collecting hits 30% of the time gives you a shot at a batting title these days . If your training or your coaching doesn’t address each of these things, you are failing to fully prepare . Since 2017, we have had 58 hitters move on to collegiate baseball programs and 39 earn scholarships at the D1 or D2 level. We have had 14 players sign professional contracts. Are you feeling stuck in your development? Feeling lost in your training or your competition? Our performance staff can help you get on track remotely or in-person here in New Jersey. Contact us at www.raxhax.com for more information or fill out an application at the link here: https://linktr.ee/raxhax . #hitters #hittingcoach #newjersey #baseball #train #workhard #baseballcoach #practice #swingcoach #playerdevelopment

2-Outs / Bases loaded. New pitcher. "leverage situation" . Not passive. Not reckless either. . Aggressive and on time to ONE pitch. . Why hunt pitches? Why game plan? Why advance scout? . ?? . Too many hitters at all levels are taught to auto-take in leverage spots. It's not just a "leverage spot" for the pitcher, but for the hitter too! Only if you're hunting for one pitch/one spot early! . Do you have: The discipline not to swing if it's not there? . Pitch recognition ability / strike zone knowledge / physical readiness to swing if it is? . Are you really treating every pitch as an equal opportunity? Stop giving away opportunities to do damage. Do not let the situation create a passive mindset/approach . RaxHax Baseball + Softball Academy #playerdevelopment #hitting #baseballcoach #hittingcoach #proball

Let's talk about confidence, game planning, and trusting your approach. A little bit of a longer post - read below ?? . The pitch sequence that preceded this: - cutter away (ball) - cutter away (strike) - changeup middle down (ball with active take check swing) - cutter away (ball) - 2 seam intended to go up and in, more middle in than edged in (double to CF) . I went into this at bat hunting two-seam fastball away. Had never faced pitcher. My approach was based off of watching previous two starts' worth of tape and watching sequences first time through lineup. . Cutter away was an important pitch for this rhp, looking to get over-extended rollover contact against righties in fastball counts. He was not afraid to fall behind in counts, trusting he could throw an offspeed pitch or a cut fastball to get a fastball minded hitter just far enough away from the barrel to get weak contact. Pitcher game plan appeared to be to stretch the outside edge of the strike zone, and use occasional two-seam away (to sneak a strike against a more cautious RHH) and in (to try and jam a RHH leaning out over the plate to contend against the cutters). . In this pitcher’s previous two starts, the majority of hard contact in hitter ad-counts against RHH were two-seam fastballs middle away. That certainly factored into my approach. . Once I got to 3-1 however, I decided to shift my approach to hard in, and sacrificed the outer half completely. That said, the last thing I want to do in an ad count is to get too big, and make myself vulnerable to the possibility of reaching for another cutter on 3-1. So what saved me here? The ability to make hard contact to the inside half of the baseball with some depth, rather than what you'd necessarily say is the conventional contact point for an inner half fastball. . After the 2-1 cutter off the plate away, the 2nd confident take of his go-to pitch, I decided to take a shot in the advantage count and hunt something on the opposite side of the plate. Did I pull it? No. I caught it a little bit deep. I was rewarded for the ability to strike the baseball at a variety of depths. . Within all of the noise these days on metric development and KPI like exit velocity, it’s still critical to be able to execute to a wide variety of locations within the strike zone. That ability is built through practicing different approaches to different locations. Confidence in adjustability is tethered to the quality of this practice style. . Too many hitters at lower levels ignore this, and when it’s time to shift an approach or make an adjustment mid at-bat, they don’t possess the ability or confidence to shift gears. At a certain level, you need to be able to hit a multitude of pitch shapes and types in different locations, and you need to be able to beat outfielders to the entire field, NOT just the pullside. . RaxHax Baseball + Softball Academy #playerdevelopment #hitting #practice #cutter #fastball #baseball #trainhard

This is a pretty standard pitch profile from an elite college or baseline pro rhp with low arm slot. They like to attack in with 2 seam, and stretch the zone down and away with slider. . Rest assured, pitchers are spending their offseasons developing a deeper understanding of how to maximize their stuff, and how to tie separate pitch shapes together to confuse and challenge hitters. As hitters, are you 1) exposing yourself to a wide variety of pitch shapes? 2) exposing yourself to multiple pitch shapes at once 3) gathering info and feedback on which shapes you are strongest/weakest against 4) organizing your mechanics and swing design against pitch pressure / incorporating swing decision data into your physical practice plans? 5) establishing success against a high quality fastball and testing the ability to hit a ++ offspeed or slider without sacrificing the ability to get to the heater? . If the answers are no, you are simply not preparing as thoroughly and effectively as you could be. Make practice game like and watch what that does to your performances when the lights are on. We can help. Contact us at www.raxhax.com today and we can get you started with a thorough baseline assessment. Pitch shapes made possible with @thetaterball . @rax_hax #hitters #hitting #swingdesign #pitchdesign #train #trainsmart

It's so critical to practice hunting pitches. Too many hitters at all levels are missing opportunities for slug and +++ outcomes by trying to be ready for 3+ pitches at once. Trying to cover everything and being ready for nothing. To hit for power, doesn't mean taking an uncontrolled, reckless, hyperaggressive swing. . In fact, for most power hitters, it's just the opposite. They are seeking to move repeatably, harnessing the fluidity of an uninterrupted sequence rather than forcing brute strength. They are able to move in an uninterrupted sequence because they're not concerned if they miss; and they're not concerned if they miss because they're only hunting one speed in a general location in a spot where they have count leverage (3-1 here and he sat heater-he got to 95 on the inside edge). Tactics and strategy feed directly into mechanical execution. Your practice and hitter development plans need to blend all of these buckets together to optimize performance outcomes. . RaxHax Baseball + Softball Academy #hitters #hitting #train #baseball #adames #walkoff #playerdevelopment #hittingcoach #developmentplans

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