Chicken Wing (Hitting)
Also known as: chicken wing swing, chicken wing in hitting, chicken wing in baseball, lead elbow flying up, front elbow lifting at contact, chicken winging the swing
In hitting, a chicken wing is when the front elbow lifts and bends out at contact instead of extending through the ball. It is usually a problem. It often comes from pulling off the ball or a rushed turn, and the barrel cuts across and leaves the zone early. A bent front arm on an inside pitch is normal, though.
After contact, a good swing extends both arms through the ball toward the middle of the field. Here the front elbow points up or out and folds instead. The barrel pulls across the ball rather than driving through it.
The usual causes are the front shoulder opening early, the head pulling out or trying to pull every pitch. Some hitters do it when they are jammed and have to fight the ball off.
Not every bent arm is a flaw. On inside pitches, good hitters keep the hands closer to the body. The problem is an elbow that lifts and folds on pitches over the middle and away.
Tips by skill level
Hit outside tee pitches to the opposite field. Feel both arms extend toward the outfield after contact.
Check video by pitch location. A folding elbow on pitches away is the one to fix.
Example
A hitter keeps hitting weak flares to the pull side. Video shows his front elbow lifting at contact. His coach has him hit outside pitches to the opposite field, and his arms extend.
Why it matters
Extension through the ball keeps the barrel in the zone longer. A folded elbow shortens that window and costs power and contact.
Common mistakes
- Pulling off the ball to pull every pitch
- Confusing a short inside swing with this fault
- Forcing the arms straight too early in the swing
Frequently asked questions
Is a chicken wing bad?
Usually, yes. An elbow that lifts and folds at contact pulls the barrel out of the zone. On inside pitches, a bent front arm can be normal.
What causes a chicken wing in hitting?
The most common causes are opening the front shoulder early, pulling the head out and trying to pull every pitch.
How do I fix a chicken wing swing?
Work on driving outside pitches to the opposite field and holding your extension after contact. Keep your front shoulder closed longer.
Related terms
- Extension at ContactExtension is the arms straightening through and just past contact, not folding in. At impact the rear arm usually keeps some bend, especially on inside pitches.
- Front Shoulder Flying OpenThe front shoulder flies open when it turns toward the pitcher too early. That pulls the eyes and barrel off the ball, causing weak, pulled contact or a miss.
- Staying Connected (Hitting)Staying connected means the hands and bat turn with the body instead of working on their own. The lead elbow stays near the chest, and the barrel lags behind the hands until the hips and shoulders bring it through. A disconnected swing usually shows up as the hands casting away from the body or the barrel dragging late.
- Opposite Field HittingOpposite-field hitting drives the ball away from the hitter's dominant-hand side. It means letting the pitch travel deeper and not rushing the swing to pull it.
- Chicken WingA chicken wing is the lead elbow folding outward through and after impact instead of extending. It usually compensates for an out-to-in path or a blocked, stuck downswing.
Related guides & benchmarks
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