The Kickback in hitting is an idea whose time has come.

Despite the fact it doesn't make any sense.

The Kickback in an example of valuing Style over Substance.

Of what I call Cargo Cult Coaching.

Kickback in Hitting

Logically speaking, if a Kickback was a KEY to a good swing — a NECESSARY component of a swing — then you would see it in EVERY good swing.

But that's not the case.

Ted Williams

Where's the Kickback in Ted Williams' swing?

Ted Williams

If the Kickback was NECESSARY to hitting well, then it would HAVE to be there.

But it's not.

Albert Pujols

Where is the Kickback in Albert Pujols' swing?

Albert Pujols

If the Kickback was NECESSARY to hitting well, and not just an artifact of the swings of some hitters, then it would HAVE to be there.

Albert Pujols

But it's not.

David Wright

When I started trying to learn about hitting, I knew that the best hitting people lusted over the swing of David Wright, something I've only recently come to appreciate.

What an incredible lower body.

And example of The Move.

David Wright

But where is the Kickback in David Wright's swing?

Juan Soto

Juan Soto is one of the hottest young hitters.

Juan Soto
2020

But where's the Kickback?

Andres Torres

In my work with Andres Torres, work he confirmed in an interview with Andres Torres in NJ.com...

I know about training, but hitting was difficult. And then in ’08... There’s a guy named Chris O’Leary (a St. Louis fan who kept online flipbooks breaking down Pujols’ swing). He’s online. He talks about Rotation. He's got video examples of Pujols and I watched those.

We never once discussed the Kickback.

Andres Torres Home Run
2010 World Series

And a lack of a Kickback didn't prevent Andres Torres from hitting home runs.

Roberto Clemente

You DO see the Kickback in the swing of Roberto Clemente.

Roberto Clemente Home Run Swing

However, Clemente's Kickback is a product of a unique aspect of his swing.

Fernando Tatis Jr.

Fernando Tatis Jr. is one of the hottest young hitters and has one of the best swings I've seen since Clemente.

Fernando Tatis Jr.

Fernando Tatis Jr. also does the Kickback.

Fernando Tatis Jr.

However, and like Clemente, I'd argue that Tatis is successful IN SPITE of his Kickback and not BECAUSE of it.