Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Hitting Off a Firm Front Side
Moving Balance Hitting Drill
Objective: Hitters will focus on hitting off a firm front side, while transferring weight through the baseball.
Methods: A hitter, with a partner, will get into the traditional soft toss position. The hitter should widen their base, with feet spread further than shoulder width apart. The hitter’s weight should be evenly distributed on both feet. The hitter’s soft toss partner will show him the ball and say, “Load”. When the hitter hears the signal, all their weight should be transferred to the rear foot. When this occurs, the front foot should have no weight on it. Then, the hitter’s partner will say,” Move!” The hitter will slowly move their weight forward, toward their front foot in a straight line. The hitter should not stride forward. The movement should be controlled, with the hitter always in a balanced position. When the hitter’s partner has noticed the hitter’s weight transferred forward, they will flip the baseball to the hitter and say, “Fire!” The hitter, while keeping their hands back, should swing through the ball. At the swing’s completion, the hitter’s front leg should be extended and the back foot should finish in the “Kick Stand” position.
Moving Balance with Stride Hitting Drill
Objective: Hitters will focus on hitting off a firm front side, while transferring weight through the baseball with a traditional stride.
Methods: A hitter, with a partner, will get into the traditional soft toss position. The hitter with their feet spread shoulder width apart. The hitter’s weight should be evenly distributed on both feet. The hitter’s soft toss partner will show him the ball and say, “Load”. When the hitter hears the signal, all their weight should be transferred to the rear foot. When this occurs, the front foot should have no weight on it. Then, the hitter’s partner will say,” Move!” The hitter will slowly move their weight forward, toward their front foot in a straight line and take an aggressive stride toward the pitcher. When the hitter’s partner sees completion of the stride, they will flip the baseball to the hitter and say, “Fire!” The hitter, while keeping their hands back, should swing through the ball. At the swing’s completion, the hitter’s front leg should be extended and the back foot should finish in the “Kick Stand” position.
Objective: Hitters will focus on hitting off a firm front side, while transferring weight through the baseball.
Methods: A hitter, with a partner, will get into the traditional soft toss position. The hitter should widen their base, with feet spread further than shoulder width apart. The hitter’s weight should be evenly distributed on both feet. The hitter’s soft toss partner will show him the ball and say, “Load”. When the hitter hears the signal, all their weight should be transferred to the rear foot. When this occurs, the front foot should have no weight on it. Then, the hitter’s partner will say,” Move!” The hitter will slowly move their weight forward, toward their front foot in a straight line. The hitter should not stride forward. The movement should be controlled, with the hitter always in a balanced position. When the hitter’s partner has noticed the hitter’s weight transferred forward, they will flip the baseball to the hitter and say, “Fire!” The hitter, while keeping their hands back, should swing through the ball. At the swing’s completion, the hitter’s front leg should be extended and the back foot should finish in the “Kick Stand” position.
Moving Balance with Stride Hitting Drill
Objective: Hitters will focus on hitting off a firm front side, while transferring weight through the baseball with a traditional stride.
Methods: A hitter, with a partner, will get into the traditional soft toss position. The hitter with their feet spread shoulder width apart. The hitter’s weight should be evenly distributed on both feet. The hitter’s soft toss partner will show him the ball and say, “Load”. When the hitter hears the signal, all their weight should be transferred to the rear foot. When this occurs, the front foot should have no weight on it. Then, the hitter’s partner will say,” Move!” The hitter will slowly move their weight forward, toward their front foot in a straight line and take an aggressive stride toward the pitcher. When the hitter’s partner sees completion of the stride, they will flip the baseball to the hitter and say, “Fire!” The hitter, while keeping their hands back, should swing through the ball. At the swing’s completion, the hitter’s front leg should be extended and the back foot should finish in the “Kick Stand” position.
