If my social media feed is a real indication (and it very well may not be), coaches focus entirely too much on wrist snap. The video below is just one example.
Why? It’s basically the least meaningful part of hitting. If you do the rest of it right, wrist snap is a natural continuation, not something you need to intentionally apply.
No. Wrist snap is not what creates topspin. That’s entirely based on the direction of contact with the ball, and is easily trained.
As in this video, too often the wrist snap training I see is actually counterproductive. Watch how the player rebounds her arm after release. We don’t want that – at least not on most swings (tight balls being a potential exception).
For younger players especially, the focus should be on the big elements – timing, a powerful approach, hip-shoulder separation, a fast arm, and good hand contact.
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