Stitcher

Google

Spotify

This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and Axebats.

Go to axebat.com and use our code AOTC at checkout to save 10% on your purchase of Axe Bat training products including all of the Axe Bat Speed Trainers and wood bats! 

 

During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Jeff Leach, Manager of Hitting at Axe Bat. Jeff Leach shares his wealth of experience as a swinging coach for players as young as 8-years old all the way up to the professional level. Jeff offers tips on various methods of training swing timing, when players should shut down on a swing, and how to find solutions for issues that players may have with their swing. 

 

Episode Highlights: 

How did Jeff Leach get involved in baseball coaching?   

What does Jeff do for Axe Bat? 

What is Jeff Leach’s system for developing players when he starts with them?  

How does he balance his training for players of very different skill levels? 

What are Jeff’s main goals for the off-season? 

What tools does Jeff Leach use to evaluate player’s abilities? 

Where does he start looking first to identify solutions for the problems of players? 

Are there different ways that Jeff uses to train swing timing? 

How does Jeff help players to decide when to shut down on a swing? 

What is Jeff’s advice to players about what to swing at? 

Is there something that Jeff has learned lately that has him really excited?  

What is something that his players do in training that they love? 

What is something that Jeff believes that other coaches may disagree with?

Is there anything about his training that would stand out to people?  

What are some of Jeff Leach’s favorite books and resources that have benefited his coaching? 

3 Key Points:

Baseball skill tools include arm strength, hitting, hitting for power, speed, and fielding. 

Jeff’s swinging advice is to look for speed or look for a location. 

Finding a feel you trust in a competition is probably more important than rehearsing a perfect swing movement. 

Tweetable Quotes:

“I’m the manager hitting for Axe Bat. My role is to engage the baseball and softball community and help players really discover the Axe handle and the benefits.” – Jeff Leach (02:08)

“I migrated from an individual to a group training environment. I could train more players more often with more tools.” – Jeff Leach (04:02)

“If you are looking at an 8-year-old kid, he doesn’t have a lot of experience in the game. He may not be motivated at a high level to really train and practice at his craft without being pushed.” – Jeff Leach (04:39)

“My philosophy basically is that, hitting is an infinite moving problem and I need to give them as many solutions to that problem as possible.” – Jeff Leach (07:35)

“I think that every off-season for a player should be, first and foremost, about improving the player’s tools.” – Jeff Leach (10:22)

“As far as drills, I really like to work with drills that require the least amount of verbal reinforcement.” – Jeff Leach (11:00)

“Adjustability is really what we are talking about when talk about timing. Are you on time? Can you adjust your timing to barrel a baseball when your body is off?” – Jeff Leach (20:00)

“I love to throw wiffle balls and have wiffle ball games with guys. I think that's one of the most exciting things that a player can do. The competition level increases when they start competing against teammates.” – Jeff Leach (32:50) 

Resources Mentioned: 

Ahead of the Curve Podcast

Twitter: @AOTC_podcast

Jeff Leach: Linkedin  Twitter

Jeff Leach’s Email: [email protected]