Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast | ⭐Hitting Performance Lab⭐

Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast | ⭐Hitting Performance Lab⭐

Download on the App Store

Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast | ⭐Hitting Performance Lab⭐ episodes

  • Game-Changing Catching Insights with Coach Jerry Weinstein: Mastering One-Knee Stances, Pitch Calling & Youth Development
    📋 Show Notes

    🔥 Episode Summary:
    If you're coaching a catcher, raising one, or simply curious how the best minds in baseball prepare youth athletes for game day leadership—this is your must-listen masterclass. In this episode, Joey Myers of HittingPerformanceLab.com sits down with legendary coach Jerry Weinstein, whose 60+ years of coaching experience span Team USA, the Colorado Rockies, and nearly every level in between. From pitch framing in the age of robo umps to developing confident youth leaders behind the plate, Weinstein shares practical, no-fluff advice that coaches and parents can apply immediately.

    🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    • Why the One-Knee Catching Stance Is Here to Stay
      Coach Weinstein explains the biomechanics and data behind this now-dominant technique and how it reduces wear and tear while enhancing performance—especially for developing bodies.

    • How to Build Elite Game Managers at 12U and Below
      Learn the simplest way to teach young catchers pitch calling without overwhelming them—or burning them out.

    • Pitch to Contact: The Strikeout Myth Exposed
      Discover how the pros think about strikeouts vs. weak contact, and why a “perfect pitch” isn’t always the smartest choice for youth development.

    • Framing in the ABS Era: Is It Dead?
      Get a nuanced take on how framing is evolving, and why it still matters—even as automation creeps in.

    • Mental Toughness & Parental Balance
      How busy parents can support their catcher's growth—without over-coaching or living through their kid’s results.

    • Effective Velocity and Game Calling Philosophy
      Coach Weinstein and Joey discuss Perry Husband’s revolutionary pitch sequencing model, and how it blends with “eyes over iPad” awareness in real time.

      🔗 Additional Resources Mentioned:

      • ✅ Swing Shift Daily Hitting System — Perfect for busy parents looking to improve their child’s swing with 3–5 min daily videos.

      • ✅ The Starting Lineup Store — Coach-approved tools tailored for youth athlete development.

      • ✅ Coach Jerry Weinstein’s Twitter/X — Daily wisdom from one of baseball’s most respected minds.

        🚀 Ready to Train Smarter, Not Harder?

        Tap into this goldmine of baseball wisdom and walk away with drills, mindsets, and strategies you can use today.

        👉 Love what you heard? Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast so we can keep delivering powerful baseball insights from the world’s top coaches.

        🔁 Share this episode with a coach, parent, or player who wants to build confidence behind the plate—without burnout or confusion.

        📲 Visit HittingPerformanceLab.com for more high-impact training content built for today’s busy baseball and softball families.

        50 min
      • Torpedo Bat Truths: What Parents Need to Know Before Jumping on the Power-Hype Train

        Are trending bats making your child a better hitter—or just messing up their mechanics?

        In this deep-dive episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast, host Joey Myers breaks down the viral “torpedo bat” phenomenon that’s recently been linked to home run surges in the New York Yankees clubhouse… and is now popping up in youth cages nationwide.

        But here's the catch: Just because MLB players are using it, doesn’t mean it’s right for your 10-year-old.

        ✅ You’ll learn:

        • What makes the torpedo bat biomechanically different (and why it punishes scoopy swings)

        • The top 3 swing issues this tool can accidentally reinforce in young hitters

        • Why most youth athletes aren’t developmentally ready for it—and what to use instead

        • A safe, science-backed overload/underload progression that builds power and barrel control without the risk

        • How to identify signs of disconnection, poor timing, and top-hand weakness in your own athlete

          Plus, Joey shares a complete swing progression drill sequence you can implement today—no fancy gear required.

          🔬 Backed by studies from the Journal of Strength and Conditioning and decades of field-tested hitting experience, this episode arms parents with what they really need: clarity, not hype

          🔗 Resources Mentioned:
          • 🎯 Swing Shift – Daily 3–5 minute video lessons that help young hitters make consistent progress without the overwhelm. Get your first 7 days free at:
            👉 https://hittingperformancelab.com/swingshift

          • 🛠️ The Starting Lineup Store – Grab proven hitting tools and get 5% off with code GET5OFF:
            👉 https://thestartinglineupstore.com/

            If this episode helped you rethink your hitter’s development path, subscribe so you never miss a future breakdown. Leave a review to help other dedicated parents and coaches find us, and share this episode with a teammate or training buddy who’s chasing the right tools for the job.

            Explore more drills, systems, and step-by-step plans at 👉 HittingPerformanceLab.com

            11 min
          • Stop Teaching Rotation Wrong: Xen Penny’s Secret to Hitting for Power & Precision

            What if everything you've heard about hip rotation, launch angles, and "getting on time" is only half the story? In this game-changing episode of the Swing Smarter podcast, Joey Myers sits down with Xen Penny, former Diamondbacks coach and now elite private hitting instructor, to dissect some of the most misunderstood (and miscoached) elements in hitting today.

            Coaches, parents, and players—if you're tired of the same cookie-cutter swing advice and want real, proven techniques that translate under game pressure against nasty pitching... this one’s for you.

            🎯 In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

            • Why “just turn your hips harder” ruins swings — and what elite hitters actually do instead.

            • How to train swing adjustability so your hitter can crush fastballs and stay on breaking balls—even with 2 strikes.

            • The truth about lower-half mechanics and why less rotation often leads to more power.

            • How to eliminate “under the ball” swings (especially for lefty hitters who throw righty) by unlocking top-hand dominance.

            • Why Xen swears by the short bat + slider machine combo — and why it beats most velo machines for developing game-ready barrels.

            • The north-to-south bat path concept and how it fixes over-popped fly balls or weak 6-hole grounders.

            • Why aiming for line drives to the back of the net (not just doubles & dingers) is the most misunderstood cheat code in today’s game.

              🔗 Resources Mentioned:

              • 🧠 Swing Shift Daily Hitting Program – Arm your hitter with daily 3–5 minute hitting lessons, swing drills, mindset training, and more!

              • 🛠️ The Starting Lineup Store – Explore elite hitting tools and swing trainers used by top coaches and players.

              • Follow Xen Penny’s insights on Twitter (𝕏): @XenPenny

                🔥 Call to Action:

                • 👉 If this episode helped you rethink your hitting approach, don’t keep it to yourself!
                • ✅ Subscribe to the Swing Smarter podcast,
                • ⭐ Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform,
                • 📤 Share this episode with a coach or parent who needs to hear it,
                  and 💥 visit HittingPerformanceLab.com for more science-backed hitting resources that help athletes dominate the zone.
                • 1 hr 12 min
                • Strike Zone Mastery & Neural Hitting Hacks: How V-Flex Trains the Brain to Crush Pitch Recognition

                  In this groundbreaking episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast, Joey Myers sits down with Tim Nicely, the neural performance visionary behind V-Flex Sports. With over 25 years of deep neurological research and training experience with elite programs like the Oklahoma Sooners softball dynasty and 17+ MLB organizations, Tim reveals how training the brain—not just the swing—is the real secret to dominating the plate.

                  If your athlete freezes on strikes, swings at junk, or struggles to adjust in two-strike counts, this episode is for you. Whether you're a travel ball parent, rec league coach, or competitive athlete, this episode will rewire how you think about hitting success.

                  🔍 Key Topics & Takeaways:

                  ✅ The Strike Zone Isn't Visual—It's Neural:
                  Learn why traditional strike zone drills fall short and how V-Flex creates an “energy-based” zone the brain can react to instinctively—before the pitch even arrives.

                  ✅ From D1 Dominance to Weekend Warriors:
                  Tim shares how V-Flex helped Oklahoma Softball and other powerhouse programs achieve strike recognition rates over 90%, and how those same tools are now affordable and portable for youth athletes.

                  ✅ Pitch Recognition Starts in the Brain, Not the Eyes:
                  Hear about Tim's journey studying neuropathways of light and how understanding spatial awareness and decision loops has revolutionized training.

                  ✅ How To Train Smarter (Not Harder):
                  Why 1 swing with V-Flex equals 25 without it, and how even 15 minutes a day, 3x per week, creates real game-time changes in as little as two weeks.

                  ✅ Tony Gwynn’s Timeless Advice:
                  “The swing only breaks down when you swing at a ball.” Discover how implicit training creates consistency and confidence under pressure.

                  ✅ Youth Baseball & Softball Applications:
                  Joey shares insights from coaching his 12U son, why many players fail due to approach and strike zone discipline, not mechanics—and how parents can course-correct with tools like V-Flex.

                  Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to:

                  • 🎧 Subscribe to the Swing Smarter Podcast for weekly insights from top hitting minds.

                  • ⭐ Leave a 5-star review to help others discover cutting-edge coaching tools like V-Flex.

                  • 🧠 Visit HittingPerformanceLab.com for bonus content, programs, and exclusive resources to train your athlete’s brain and body.

                  • 🛠️ Explore the new affordable, portable V-Flex gear now accessible for rec and travel teams alike.  Use GET5OFF at checkout for 5% OFF at TheStartingLineupStore.com.

                    Let’s swing smarter… and hit harder—together.

                    1 hr 25 min
                  • Why Former MLB Star Jeff Frye Says Traditional Hitting Approaches Still Win: Mastering Pitch Recognition & Barrel Path Secrets

                    Ever wonder why today's popular hitting methods often contradict the timeless techniques used by legendary Major Leaguers? In this power-packed episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast, host Joey Myers is joined by former MLB player Jeff Frye, the voice behind the provocative "She Gone" movement, renowned hitting analyst, and passionate advocate for traditional hitting fundamentals.

                    Jeff Frye, who spent nearly a decade in the Major Leagues facing legends like Greg Maddux, shares candid insights on:

                    • The crucial difference between "feel" versus "real" swing mechanics.

                    • Why swinging down on pitches up in the zone remains a cornerstone of successful hitting.

                    • Secrets for mastering barrel path to consistently compete against elite pitching.

                    • The significant problems with modern hitting instruction and how coaches and players can simplify their approach for maximum effectiveness.

                      Jeff and Joey deep dive into engaging topics like why MLB hitters such as Aaron Judge face challenges during high-pressure postseason at-bats and how young athletes can avoid common pitfalls created by the "fear of missing out" in today's travel-ball culture.

                      This episode is loaded with actionable takeaways for baseball and softball coaches, players, and parents who want to elevate their hitting IQ and gain a competitive edge.

                      Don't miss these powerful highlights:

                      • Practical hitting adjustments inspired by real MLB experiences.

                      • Why understanding pitch recognition and location strategies can drastically improve your performance.

                      • Proven advice for youth players and coaches to foster genuine skill development and love for the game.

                        Ready to swing smarter and hit harder? Subscribe now, leave a quick review, and share this episode with other baseball and softball enthusiasts.

                        Visit HittingPerformanceLab.com for cutting-edge hitting resources, Jeff Frye’s "She Gone" movement updates, and exclusive hitting programs designed to transform your game!

                        1 hr 5 min
                      • Unlocking Elite Power: Perry Husband’s Science-Backed Secrets to Boost Exit Velocity & Fix Youth Hitting Flaws

                        Ready to transform your hitter’s swing from average to elite?

                        In this episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast, we welcome back Perry Husband, the renowned creator of Effective Velocity, whose groundbreaking work has forever changed how baseball and softball approach hitting mechanics.

                        Together, we dive deep into one of the most misunderstood topics in youth and pro baseball: why front arm extension, efficient barrel path, and hitting timing—not traditional “staying inside the ball”—are the true keys to unlocking massive, game-time exit velocity.

                        If you're a parent, coach, or athlete tired of mechanical overload, "hands inside" myths, and underperforming swings, Perry delivers a masterclass you can’t afford to miss. Walk away with science-backed strategies, real-world drills, and practical frameworks to finally help your hitter build effortless power and consistency at the plate.

                        💥 Key Topics Covered:
                        • Why Front Arm Lockout Unlocks Max Bat Speed
                          Perry dismantles the “bent arm myth” and shows why a long, leveraged front arm drastically boosts exit velo and sweet spot consistency.

                        • Barrel Awareness and Timing: The Missing Links
                          Discover how elite hitters like Freddie Freeman prioritize rhythm, stretch reflex, and delayed barrel release—not mechanical perfection.

                        • Why ‘Hands Inside’ Might Be Hurting Your Hitter
                          Learn why pulling hands in reduces leverage, collapses barrel control, and sacrifices game-time power.

                        • Science of Barrel Path for High-Level Hitting
                          Perry reveals how a canal-shaped barrel path matches elite pitch trajectories, helping hitters adjust to velocity, movement, and location like pros.

                        • How Overload Bat Training Accelerates Development
                          Uncover why smart overload-heavy bat training (like tools from The Starting Lineup Store) reinforces elite movement patterns without creating bad habits.

                          🔥 Ready to take your hitter’s confidence and exit velocity to the next level?

                          👉 Subscribe to the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast, leave a review if you loved today’s insights, and share this episode with a fellow coach or baseball parent who’s serious about their young athlete's success!

                          📚 Plus, explore exclusive resources, game-changing drills, and daily hitting systems designed specifically for youth athletes at:
                          ➡️ HittingPerformanceLab.com

                          1 hr 25 min
                        • Exit Velocity Lies, Swing Myths & Why MLB Mechanics Fail Young Hitters
                          🔥 Why This Episode Matters

                          Think your kid should swing like Mike Trout or Aaron Judge? Think again. In this jaw-dropping episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast, Perry Husband, the creator of Effective Velocity, dismantles some of the biggest myths in modern hitting instruction — and shows why copying MLB mechanics is one of the fastest ways to sabotage a young hitter’s development.

                          You’ll hear exactly why Trout loses up to 30 MPH of exit velocity on certain pitches, how swing path inefficiencies kill game-day performance, and what actually defines a successful swing for youth athletes. If you’re tired of coaching confusion and looking for a data-backed roadmap to real results, this is the episode you can’t afford to skip.

                          🔍 Key Topics Covered

                          ✅ Why "Just Swing Hard" Is Killing Consistency
                          ✅ Perry’s analysis of Mike Trout’s exit velocity by zone — and what it reveals
                          ✅ How poor front-arm mechanics and upswing models cost hitters big time
                          ✅ The “Speedboat vs. Torpedo” swing path analogy that simplifies contact mechanics
                          ✅ Why copying elite power hitters often hurts youth players more than it helps
                          ✅ The truth behind 100/100/100 swing efficiency — and why it should be your gold standard
                          ✅ What coaches and parents MUST understand about swing timing and plane
                          ✅ How overload training bats can fix timing, barrel path, and exit speed
                          ✅ Real-world examples from MLB and college softball (including Oklahoma

                          🚀 Your Next Steps

                          If your athlete is struggling with inconsistent swings, timing issues, or mechanical confusion, this episode gives you the clarity and proven tools to fix it.

                          🎯 Check out tools & systems that back up the science:

                          • Swing Shift Training Program

                          • Overload Training Bats

                          • The Catapult Loading System Book

                            Liked this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow coach or sports parent who needs it. For even more drills, guides, and power-building resources, visit:
                            👉 HittingPerformanceLab.com

                            Let’s keep building smarter swings — one myth-busting episode at a time.

                            57 min
                          • The EV Wake-Up Call: Why Most Hitters Are Missing Fastballs & What to Do About It

                            🎯 Why This Episode Matters
                            If your hitter is consistently getting beat by high fastballs, fouling off meatballs down the middle, or popping up balls they should crush, this episode is your game-changing blueprint. Perry Husband, creator of the Effective Velocity system, returns to unpack why most hitters — from youth to pro — are swinging blind against modern pitching strategies.

                            In this unfiltered second installment, Perry and host Joey Myers rip into the flawed mechanics being taught on social media, reveal why swing plane myths are crushing development, and share what truly separates elite hitters from the rest. Coaches, parents, and athletes — buckle in. This one’s a masterclass in timing, sequence, and swing path truth bombs.

                            🧠 Key Topics & Takeaways:

                            ✅ The 100/100/100 Framework — Why hitters must strive for:

                            • 100% on-time contact

                            • 100% mechanical efficiency

                            • 100% sweet spot connection

                              🔥 Why Swinging “Up” Doesn’t Work — Perry breaks down the mismatch between upward swing planes and descending fastballs, and how it’s silently sabotaging hitters.

                              ⚾ EV-Efficient Pitch Sequences — Learn how the best pitchers in baseball manipulate timing and pitch tunneling to neutralize even the most powerful hitters.

                              💣 The Truth Behind Miss-Hits & Foul Balls — What really happens when hitters swing and miss or foul back pitches they “should” hit.

                              🧬 Match Barrel to Pitch Angle — Discover why flattening the swing path and matching it to real pitch trajectories (not fantasy launch angles) is the key to consistent, game-day contact.

                              📊 Softball’s Secret Weapon — Perry reveals why Oklahoma softball hitters dominate with scientifically backed mechanics and simplified sequencing.

                              If this episode shook your understanding of swing mechanics, don’t stop here. Subscribe so you never miss another breakdown. Then share this with a parent, coach, or teammate who’s still trying to “swing up” at a 96 mph fastball.

                              🛠️ For drills and daily training built on Perry’s EV principles, check out the:
                              👉 Swing Shift Program

                              🔍 Want to build true barrel awareness?
                              👉 Overload Training Bats

                              Ready to break free from cookie-cutter instruction?
                              🚀 Visit HittingPerformanceLab.com to explore more tools, programs, and science-backed insights.

                              1 hr 9 min
                            • Exit Velocity Secrets MLB Scouts Ignore: The Hidden Power Metric That Transforms Youth Hitters

                              Think exit velocity is just for big leaguers and radar gun flexing? Think again. In this eye-opening episode, Joey Myers welcomes Perry Husband—creator of EffectiveVelocity.com and one of the most controversial (and respected) voices in baseball science.

                              Together, they unravel the real story behind exit velocity and why teaching it the right way can turn your young hitter from practice MVP into game-day powerhouse. If you’ve ever felt frustrated watching your kid’s swing look great in BP but fold under pressure in games… this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.

                              What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

                              • ⚾ Why teaching exit velocity isn’t just about hitting the ball hard—but about timing, mechanical efficiency, and in-game performance

                              • ⚾ How to decode the exit velocity to game translation problem using Perry’s “100-100-100” system

                              • ⚾ What MLB scouts often miss when they downplay EV—and how to evaluate talent more effectively at the youth level

                              • ⚾ Why most youth hitters struggle against velocity despite strong swings in practice—and how small leaks kill exit speed

                              • ⚾ A step-by-step breakdown of the Basketball Drill and how it trains proper force transfer at impact

                              • ⚾ How Oklahoma Softball’s legendary offense leveraged EV training to dominate in home runs, batting average, and strikeout avoidance

                              • ⚾ Real numbers, real testing: The measurable difference between "85-85" hitters and "100-100" hitters

                              • ⚾ Practical advice on how to apply radar-based testing at home to evaluate progress and validate hitting drills

                                🎯 Ready to Stop Guessing and Start Measuring?
                                If your young athlete is stuck hitting grounders or freezing in games despite dominating in practice, it’s time to shift gears. Discover how to train smarter with proven metrics and practical drills designed to boost power, timing, and confidence.

                                📦 Explore More From This Episode:

                                • Swing Shift Daily Hitting System – Daily 3–5 min video drills to build timing and game power

                                • Overload Training Bats – Instantly increase exit velocity by 5–10+ mph

                                • V-Flex Strike Recognition Aid – Improve pitch tracking & plate discipline without swinging a bat

                                  📩 Subscribe, Review & Share
                                  Got value from this episode? Hit that follow button so you never miss another insight, leave us a quick review, and share this with a fellow parent, coach, or athlete ready to level up their swing.

                                  1 hr 10 min
                                • Felix Fernandez: Portable 1-LB MINI Small Ball Backyard Baseball & Softball Pitching Machine | Best Battery Operated And Powered Youth Kids, High School+ Hand-Eye Coordination Drills

                                  Discover the first portable MINI small ball pitching machine for kids and High School on up that uses biodegradable balls (NO pickup necessary!).  Battery operated (rechargeable 12 hour batter life) and weighs ONLY 1.7-pounds!  This is the BEST (and smallest) youth baseball and softball hand-eye coordination drills pitching machine.  Smaller than a golf ball, chickpea sized - 10% that of a baseball!

                                  Learn about this automatic, cordless battery powered pitching machine for home use and is affordably cheap, under $500, in this interview with Hit Them All inventor Felix Fernandez. Remote controlled.  Purchase protected with a 30-day money back guarantee AND a 2 year warranty.

                                  In this interview with Felix Fernandez, inventor of the Hit Them All smallest pitching machine, we talk about:

                                  • What’s your 2-to-3-minute elevator pitch for the Hit Them All?
                                  • What were some of the injuries that you had to deal with?
                                  • What were some of mental baseball challenges you weren’t ready for in college?
                                  • Where did your habit to tinker and test come from?
                                  • What’s the origin story of the Hit Them All pitching machine?
                                  • What makes the Hit Them All unique and who is its competition?
                                  • How long have you been working on perfecting the Hit Them All?
                                  • What age groups have you tested the Hit Them All with?
                                  • What's the frequency of when it spits out a one of the little balls and is there an indication light?
                                  • Tell people where they can find you?
                                  • CLICK HERE to go to our blog post and see if we've having any deals on the Hit Them All.

                                    35 min

                                  About Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast | ⭐Hitting Performance Lab⭐

                                  From the publisher's feed

                                  Hosted by Joey Myers—Amazon bestselling author and founder of HittingPerformanceLab.com—the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast delivers powerful, science-driven hitting insights for baseball and…

                                  More shows like Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast | ⭐Hitting Performance Lab⭐

                                  THE 8020BASEBALL PODCAST by COACH BO

                                  THE 8020BASEBALL PODCAST

                                  68 Listeners