Be A Better Hitter

1
Be A Better Hitter

• Six Step Swing
• Used By The Pros

2
The Load Stride

• Purpose
• 1) Store energy to release into the pitch.
• How To Do It
• 1. Shift weight to back side.
• 2. As weight shifts backward, hands go back.
• 3. Bat enters into a cocked position.
• 4. Front foot gains ground towards the pitcher.
• 5. Stride is directly straight to the pitcher
  approximately
• 3-5 in length.
• Advantages
• 1. Provides an effective timing mechanism.
• 2. Provides the hitter more time to see pitch
  type
• and location.
• Step 1

3
Getting The Front Foot Down In Proper Sequence

• The picture illustrates when most professional
  hitters
• will have their front foot down.
• Younger hitters based on their skill level and
  reaction
• time will often get their front down slightly
  earlier.
• If the front foot is late, the hitter will be
  vunerable.
• The action of getting the front foot down
  should be
• short, soft and straight to the ball.
• Step 1A

4
The Launch

• Purpose Of The Launch
• 1. To uncoil the power stored during the load.
• Mechanics of the launch
• 1. Hands are not committed to release the bat.
• 2. Knob of the bat directed towards inside of
  incoming
• pitch. Use the bottom hand to aid in
  directing the
• bat barrel into the proper pitch slot.
• 3. Allow the pitch to travel deep into the strike
  zone.
• Note Both of these swings resulted in home runs.
  The
• bottom picture features the approach on
  an
• inside pitch. Both hitters kept their
  heads steady
• and eyes locked on the pitch.

5
Contact

• Purpose
• HIT THE BALL HARD SOMEWHERE!
• Mechanical Constants
• 1. Head steady and eyes locked on pitch.
• 2. Firm front side. Front foot is closed with
  front
• leg firm (not bent).
• 3. V configuration of arms with a palm up/palm
  down
• placement of the hands
• 4. Complete weight transfer from back side to
  front
• side. This is highlighted by the back foot
  position.
• Back foot toe down, heel up!
• Both swings resulted in home runs.

6
Extension

• Purpose
• Continue to transfer energy through the point of
  
• with the baseball.
• Mechanical Constants
• 1. Continue to accelerate the bat through the
  pitch.
• 2. Back elbow begins to straighten out as a
  result of
• pushing from the top hand.
• 3. Wrists have not begun to roll.
• Key To Proper Extension
• 1. Be short to the pitch and long through the
  ball.

7
Extend Again

• Purpose
• Builds on the concept of staying long through the
  
• baseball.
• Mechanical Constants
• 1. Head stays in line with the rear shoulder.
• 2. Wrists begin to roll in order to allow the bat
  to
• release into the finish/follow through phase
  of the
• swing.

8
The Finish/Follow Through

• Purpose
• To effectively complete the swing while allowing
  for
• good balance.
• Two Types
• 1. Top Hand Stays On Bat (Recommended For Younger
• Players).
• 2. Release of the top hand. (Recommended For
  Older
• And Advanced Hitters).

9
Allow The Pitch To Travel Into The Strike Zone
Hit The Inside Of The Baseball

• Purpose
• 1. Allows for more power and more consistent
  contact.
• Mechanical Constants
• 1. Focus on keeping your hands inside the
  baseball.
• 2. Stay short to the pitch.
• 3. Most pitches are on the outer two thirds of
  the plate.
• Note If you allow the ball to travel deep into
  the strike
• zone you can use the entire field. This
  will
• allow you to be a more productive and
  better
• hitter.
• Ultimate Approach As A Hitter