The video clips below walk
you through fundamentally sound hitting and bunting 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.
Practice Tip
Set up three stations during batting practice and practice in this
order: 1) Work on each individual part as shown below with a bat
and no tee or pitching - focus only on perfecting each part of the
swing process; 2) Work on the same parts slowly hitting off a tee,
gradually making the swing more fluid, but focus on proper technique
before allowing hard and quick swings; and 3) Practice the technique
with pitches in the batting cage.
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.
Bunting
This video shows sound bunting technique for all ages.
Hitting Technique Broken
Down by Parts...
The Grip
How you hold the bat is very important to comfort, power,
and accuracy. The correct hands placement allows for a smooth
and powerful swing. This video shows good alignment. Re-aligning
the knuckles can turn pop-ups into line drives and make
the swing and follow through more comfortable.
The Stance
A relaxed, balanced, and comfortable stance sets the foundation
for the entire setup and swing. This video discusses a simple,
yet effective stance.
Holding the Bat
Different than hands placement in relation to each hand,
this video discusses where to hold the bat and place your
hands on the bat.
Where to Hold the Hands
Now that you have your grip and hands placement on the
bat, this video discusses where to hold the bat in relation
to the body while awaiting the pitch. Teaching back elbow
up is bad form and should be avoided as it tires the shoulder
and takes longer to reach the hitting position. A relaxed
stance with elbows down and in is best.
Head Positioning
This video discusses how to hold the head while awaiting
the pitch for maximum visibility and sight.
Setting the Trigger
Regardless of where the hands and bat start, they all end
up in the same place for good hitters. The trigger is the
cocking motion that prepares the hitter for the swing and
also acts as a timing mechanism to the swing. The trigger
is crucial to generating power.
Positioning the Front Foot
After the trigger, the front foot settles in and prepares
for the swing. This video discusses proper front foot placement
and movement. Small movements are best and keeping the front
foot closed is ideal - staying on the ball of the foot.
Timing
Timing is everything in hitting. This video discusses the
importance of timing and how to set your timing in a swing.
Hip Rotation
There is a lot of power in the hips. Once the trigger is
set and the front foot settles, the hips open and lead the
hands through the zone to generate maximum power. This video
goes through the timing of the hips in relation to the shoulders
and hands. Explode the hips and keep the back elbow in tight.
Back Foot
We've all heard about "squash the bug". This
video discusses what the back foot should be doing through
the swing. It simply allows the hips to rotate and should
support most of your weight through the swing.
The Swing #1
The swing is the culmination of many steps leading up to
that point of contact. This video discusses what happens
when the hips lead the hands and the hands are kept inside
the ball.
The Swing #2
This video takes another approach to teaching the full
swing.
Hands Inside the Ball
To have a compact, quick, and powerful swing, the hands
must stay inside the ball. Keeping the back elbown in tight
is key. This video discusses this concept.
Swing After Contact
This video discusses what to do once contact is made.
Staying Back on the Swing
Keeping your weight back on your back leg is key to generating
power. Lunging forward and ending up with too much weight
on your front foot decreases power, so this video discusses
the importance of staying back and how to work on it.
Hitting Outside Pitches
This video specifically discusses how to hit pitches on
the outer part of the plate.
Hitting Low and High Pitches
This video discusses how to hit pitches that are in the
lower and higher parts of the strike zone.
