To stay consistent and square balls up, you’ve got to keep your barrel above your hands in the lag position of your swing. Here’s why:
Key Points:
- The Lag Position Matters: Lag is when your barrel trails your hands just before launching forward. It sets up your swing path and bat direction.
- Barrel Above Hands = On Plane Early: Keeping the barrel above the hands keeps your swing tighter and allows you to match pitch plane—especially on fastballs up in the zone.
- Barrel Below Hands = Trouble: If the barrel drops under too soon, your swing becomes steep and inconsistent. You’ll miss high pitches and either pop up or foul back.
- Better Trajectory, More Solid Contact: Staying above and then flattening out through the zone helps you drive balls with backspin instead of slicing under them.
- Feel It in Your Drills: Use mirror work, pause swings, or PVC pipe drills to reinforce that clean, above-the-hands lag position.
Takeaway:
If you’re missing under, don’t just “swing harder.” Fix the path. Stay above the hands in your load and lag, and you’ll stay on plane longer—with better results.