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How to Develop a Sweet Swing

Stance
1)Grip
  • lay bat in your lower fingers in front of you and pickup the bat. bat should be held primarily in the fingers.
  • hold lightly -> loose muscles are fast muscles.
    2)Hitting Position
  • feet over shoulder width apart.
  • knees bent slightly.
  • weight balanced between the balls of your feet.
  • knob pointed down.
  • hands in front of back shoulder
  • both eyes looking at pitcher.
    3)elbow myth
  • fault of many hitters because it hinders their wing plane
  • arms should be in V position close to the body
  • many hitters have their own style but all good hitters move to this position prior to hitting.Loading
  • Weight moves to inner position of back leg and foot
  • Front shoulder closes as hands go back
  • Cock the hips (front knee may slightly go in)
  • Player becomes loaded as pitcher begins windupThe Step
  • Important because it afects the timing of the hole swing.
  • Short is good definitely no more than 6" - 12"
  • Land on ball of foot.
  • "Stay back" - keep hands back moving forward causes the head to move (the brain must adjust when the head moves).
  • Step just after the pitcher releases the ball.Launch the Hips
  • Power comes from the hips
  • Rear hip goes forward.
  • Body moves but head remains in place
  • Weight and hands remain back
  • Straighten front leg.
  • Squash the bug or pivot your back foot.Launch the Hands
  • Top Hand - power hand
  • Bottom Hand - action hand leading the way
  • The knob of the bat should point at the ball
  • Point of contact the bottom hand should be up and the top hand down creating the "Power V" with the arms.
  • Players head should be looking down the "V" at point of contact.
    Finish the Swing
  • Roll wrist after impact with the ball to gain power.
  • Hands should finish at the shoulder level.
  • Bat head should wrap around the back.

    Muscle Memory is the Key to Developing the Proper Swing

    Hitting off of tee with supervision.
    Soft toss practicing hitting balls inside and outside
    Swing slowly in front of mirror

    • Proper Throwing Mechanics

    Wrist/Elbow -> develops wrist action for throwing
  • Players should be 6 ft apart.
  • Glove on ground under knee.
  • Grip baseball with 4 seams.
  • Bend elbow of throwing arm and hold forearm with other hand.
  • Bend wrist back and flip ball to partners chest.
  • Standup 15 feet apart hold glove under tricep and flip to partner.Throw from knee -> develops proper arm mechanics
  • Players should be 15 ft apart.
  • Knee down on throwing side.
  • Rotate glove shoulder pointing toward partner
  • Extend throwing arm straight behind body.
  • Make sure palm is face down with ball in hand.
  • Keep elbow perpendicular to shoulder at top of throw.
  • Throw in circular motion.Stationary throw - develops proper throwing motion
  • Rotate body so glove shoulder is pointing toward partner
  • Feet should be shoulder width apart
  • Extend throwing arm straight behind body.
  • Make sure palm is face down with ball in hand.
  • Keep elbow perpendicular to shoulder at top of throw.
  • Throw in circular motion.
  • Back leg should swing around with front foot landing in front of front foot
  • Throwing motion should end around the knee of front leg.Long Toss -> builds arm strength "BEST FOR BUILDING ARM STRENGTH"
  • Must moniter closely
  • Make sure players are warmed up completely
  • Begin with players about 30' apart with one player on the outfield baseline.
  • After each throw player not on baseline should take 2 full steps backward
  • Continue going back until players hit maximum distance where the ball can be thrown in the air on a line to one another.
  • Should only throw a maximum of 15-20 throws.
    Relay throwing -> develops footwork, ball transfer and quick release for infielders
  • Setup up lines in groups of 4 spaced 30'-40' apart.
  • Player receiving throw should have both hands up yelling cut-off.
  • Player throwing ball should aim ball toward glove side.
  • Once receiver catches ball he should pivot on back leg and throw properly to next person.

    • Playing Outfield

    Fielding a fly ball in the outfield
  • Position yourself behind the ball.
  • Catch ball in front of chest or throwing shoulder.
  • When catching the ball your momentum should be going forward
  • Crow hop and throw the ball to your cut-off man.
  • When throwing to cut-off man aim at his head for a low throw to the base.
    How to do a "Crow Hop"
  • The benefit of a crow hop is to put the outfielder in position to throw the ball and give added momentum to the throw.
  • Move in the direction you want to throw the ball when throwing.
  • Must be in a controlled speed to make the crow hop.
  • Fielding ground ball you should catch the ball on the glove side with your front foot forward.
  • Catch the ball with leg back on throwing side.
  • Hop bringing the rear foot(throwing side) forward .
  • Plant the rear foot(throwing side) and step toward the base you are throwing to.
  • Make sure to follow through bringing the throwing arm down to the knee and bending the back