An RS Freshman from Vanderbilt University in 2014, Aubrey McCarty is one of the most unique talents in modern sport. He possesses the ability to both switch pitch and switch hit (pitch and bat both left and right handed). The thought process behind the development of this idea was to "throw opponents off", but the reality of his brilliance is of far greater significance.
Being able to seamlessly switch to an opposite side is rare. Throwing a a high level curveball, fastball, change up and cutter from both sides and hitting with variation as a left and right handed batter, is practically unheard of. You have the options of two different players in one body, something that takes the sport to another level, perhaps one day becoming the status quo.
If we take into account technique and quality ceilings in other sports, ambidexterity and variation are two qualities that have a lot of room for growth . Some examples include;
Our mental models as humans and our behavioural habits provide a platform for incredible innovation. We can be sure that sport will forever remain in an evolution phase due to how each sports information flow is interpreted, analysed and acted upon.
Being able to seamlessly switch to an opposite side is rare. Throwing a a high level curveball, fastball, change up and cutter from both sides and hitting with variation as a left and right handed batter, is practically unheard of. You have the options of two different players in one body, something that takes the sport to another level, perhaps one day becoming the status quo.
If we take into account technique and quality ceilings in other sports, ambidexterity and variation are two qualities that have a lot of room for growth . Some examples include;
- The ability to have a variety of skills off both sides of your body in AFL and Football will separate you from a technique standpoint. Gary Ablett and Cristiano Ronaldo are both incredibly gifted with both feet and this causes defenders to defend 180 degrees instead of 90. If a player is one footed, you can corral or position your body in a way that forces your opponent to use his or her non preferred side, causing a less efficient outcome.
- We have seen players hit one and two handed forehands, backhands and volleys throughout tennis history. What we have never seen at the highest level is players who can serve with their left and right hands or hit one handed and two handed forehands/backhands off their left and right wings. This would become an incredible weapon, as every rally ball or defensive/offensive shot requires a different swing pattern to achieve the most effective outcome. The more you have in your locker, the more effective you are from every position on the court. Serving is of particular note here. All players have weaknesses on the return or a server may have a preference on where he or she wants the return. Being able to serve sliders, kickers, body serves and bombs from both sides will create a far better opportunity to obtain the first strike in the rally.
- Provided there are changes to the allowable club limits per bag, a golfer hitting off both sides of his or her body would provide some desperately required options. Lets say you are stuck in the left rough with no look at the green as the fairway curves to the left. The only way you can reach the green as a right hander is by hitting a hook around the trees and relying on a draw to roll it up to the green. Your natural swing means you have a good fade, but struggle to hit a hook or draw. If you theoretically had the same swing on your left side, you could hit your comfortable fade and easily make the green.
Our mental models as humans and our behavioural habits provide a platform for incredible innovation. We can be sure that sport will forever remain in an evolution phase due to how each sports information flow is interpreted, analysed and acted upon.