A little swing training research...
I believe I previously mentioned a research project I have been involved in here at Tech, which involves effects of weight training on bat velocity and batted ball velocity. Few training studies have been done over a 12-week period, and now I know why: organization, assistants, and participation.
Spread over 5 area high school, somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 players began, and only 29 or 30 finished. Injuries, sickness and plenty of other weird excuses came up for those who dropped out, but there were a number of hard working kids that really made some progress.
For the bat speed measures, we used the SETPRO sprt5-a. I've had a lot of experience with this and found it to be very reliable in measuring bat-tip velocity. Why? Because it measues the tip in the same place, evry time (as long as you have the tee set up correctly. I have had a hard time telling where some other bat speed units pick up the bat, and some have seemed more inconsistent.
The Speedtrac-XRQ was used to measure ball speed, and this was a bit more tricky. Many of the players did not like that you actually have to hit the ball solidly in order to get a good reading, but that is the idea - solid contact equals higher ball velocity. There were a few instances where a player would hit the ball solidly and not get a reading, but this seemed more due to set-up than anything (which I still don't totally understand). But, for the most part, when we got the unit setup so that the player could hit a line-drive directly at it, we got relatively consistent results.
Here is a look at part of our testing set-up:
And for strarting off on my own research, I again used the SPRT5-A to measure bat speed and different variances of swing quickness/reaction:
A good time was had by....well, me at least
Spread over 5 area high school, somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 players began, and only 29 or 30 finished. Injuries, sickness and plenty of other weird excuses came up for those who dropped out, but there were a number of hard working kids that really made some progress.
For the bat speed measures, we used the SETPRO sprt5-a. I've had a lot of experience with this and found it to be very reliable in measuring bat-tip velocity. Why? Because it measues the tip in the same place, evry time (as long as you have the tee set up correctly. I have had a hard time telling where some other bat speed units pick up the bat, and some have seemed more inconsistent.
The Speedtrac-XRQ was used to measure ball speed, and this was a bit more tricky. Many of the players did not like that you actually have to hit the ball solidly in order to get a good reading, but that is the idea - solid contact equals higher ball velocity. There were a few instances where a player would hit the ball solidly and not get a reading, but this seemed more due to set-up than anything (which I still don't totally understand). But, for the most part, when we got the unit setup so that the player could hit a line-drive directly at it, we got relatively consistent results.
Here is a look at part of our testing set-up:
And for strarting off on my own research, I again used the SPRT5-A to measure bat speed and different variances of swing quickness/reaction:
A good time was had by....well, me at least
I have been working with 11 players using Setpro material and equipment. I had a SPTRA-5 that I had sent back to Paul in July 2006 to be fixed for my son. Josh still have not got it back. So I have used the RX and Batmaxx as my tools of choice. I have found the same results you have had with equipment. When we had the SPTR5-A it was very simple to get bat speed readings. The Batmaxx takes a little more set up time and reads where the bats makes contact with the ball. So you do get a true reading of bat speed where contact is made. On the Rx I do like the idea you need to make good contact to get a true reading. It is a lot like when you use the Viper to get a reading on swing time. I do agree with you on getting committed players who buy into the program and stick with it. But the ones who do IMP the results speak for them self. I do film each player each time we meet using the Right View system ( shows them where they started and where they are). It makes it very easy to see if they have done the homework during the week and gives them instant feedback. The 11 players who have stayed on have had varying results . The swing reaction and swing speed/bat speed have improved ( setpro system has worked great). Example 11 players have increased bat speed from a low 15 mph to a high of 22 mph (4-6 feet ball travels from every mile increased). Ball off bat speed has increased low 11 to high of 19 mph. Reaction time has continue to improve due to less movement in their swing ( all training is done with wood bats). On the throwing side using numbies mechanics they have improved on the low side 8 mph to 14 mph
(regular throw). Just started a pitching class using Setpro and heavy ball system (should be interesting. My son who is on since September and has gone from 65 to 82-84 mph and just turn 15. We have used the RX to help with having a strong throw using quickness. Enjoy your site/information and visit it often. If you ever talk to Paul and have time maybe you could mention SPTR5-A for Josh Jaye as it was his B-day present. It would be greatly appreciated. If their is anything I could do for you please do not hesitate to ask.
Sincerely Kurt Jaye
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Kurt-
thanks for the input. I saw similar results working with HS players in Atlanta.
feedback, video and good coach go a long way in helping young players who want to improve.
good luck and continued success
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