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Stick to the Basics! byGarland Cooper
Everyone's swing is different. Some people are more linear, some more rotational. Some hold their hands higher, some lower.
However, in a swing there are some fundamentals that are non-negotiable and must be present in order to get a good piece of the ball.
Below are just a few hitting tips when considering one's swing. Most of the time our swings just need a little tweaking when things don't feel right, and this is a good place to start…
1. WATCH THE BALL
This seems easy enough, but you'd be surprised. This is my favorite little piece of information because it is so easy, but so easy to forget and it can fix many different things about a swing.
If you are pulling your shoulder, instead of thinking of keeping your shoulder in, it might be easier to just remind yourself to watch the ball. Try swinging with your head right at the point of contact…it is just about impossible for you to pull that front shoulder off.
Many power hitters have a tendency to lift their front shoulder to try and lift the ball and launch it out into nowhere. This can often get them into trouble, leading to pop-ups instead of homeruns. This often can be alleviated if you think of keeping your eye on the ball. Again, if you pull your shoulder up, or dip that back shoulder, your eyes are not where they should be at the point of contact.
2. HANDS INSIDE
Another important thing in a swing is the path the hands take to get the barrel of the bat on the ball. The batter's hands should follow a path inside the ball, making it possible for the barrel to get to the ball at the right point. Whether this pitch is inside or outside, the hands always must be inside the ball. If you get your hands out away from your body you risk getting jammed on an inside pitch, and coming around an outside pitch and grounding out.
3. SQUISH THAT BUG
I know most everyone has heard the term "squish the bug". If are not familiar with this term this is the point in the swing after stepping when the back foot pivots and the hips and hands drive forward. This is a very important part of the swing because it ensures that the whole body is involved. While we don't want to over-squish and pull our front side off, it is important to get the legs and hips engaged in the swing because that is where most of the power is generated.
4. WEIGHT
In order to keep your swing in control your weight must be balanced. You can generate a lot of power pushing with that back leg, so when you start your swing it is important not to lunge forward with your step and keep your weight back on that back leg in the beginning of the swing. As the swing comes to an end, the weight transfer can shift more onto the front leg, with a strong push from the back and the turning of the hips. This may vary depending on coaching styles.
5. RELAX
This is probably the most important thing to remember. It is impossible to hit a pitch when every muscle in your body is flexed. Relax when you are up there and really get comfortable in the box. Move around a little and get your blood flowing and your muscles moving so you don't tense up.
Again, these are things most athletes have heard before, but they are so simple they can be easy to forget. Often we over-analyze our swings and most of the time it just takes a little tweaking to get back on track. If you are in a slump, of if you are having a bad day, practice working on some of these basics to get your swing back on track!
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