The video clips below walk you through fundamentally sound hitting technique. By breaking the process down, you can learn and focus on those individual parts as coaches and teach your kids proper form. Your kids will benefit far greater from you taking the time to teach and perfect each part of the process through drills than if you simply throw batting practice without breaking it down.
Biggest Hitting Mistakes
Elbow Up – proper hitting technique requires the back elbow to be down and relaxed, not forced up. To have a sound swing, the back elbow needs to end up in tight close to the ribs, so it may as well start there, in a relaxed position.
Dropping or Looping the Bat on the Swing – stand with your back foot within a few inches of the fence or net and swing. If the bat hits the fence or net, the swing is looping and the bat is dropping, which isn’t sound. The bat head needs to go straight to the hitting zone, with the hands leading the way.
Shifting Too Much Weight to the Front Foot – power is provided when the weight is kept back, not up on the front foot. This is a common misconception and robs the hitter of power.
Common Hitting Flaws & Drills:
Bat Speed Drills:
Hitting Stance:
Load Position in Swing
Hands at Launch Position
Start the Swing
Hand Path & Position at Impact
Finishing the Swing:
Bunting