|
|
To begin our discussion on hitting issues, let's take a simple test to evaluate your understanding of hitting mechanics. The following test includes common pieces of coaching advice given from Little League to the Big Leagues. Read each item carefully, and then ask yourself two questions:
Just check whether you view the coaching items as good advice or poor advice.
It may surprise you, but the correct answer to every one of the items is... False! Fallacies -- Baseball Fairy Tales! Exactly The Wrong Thing To Do! All Dead Wrong!!! info acquired from www.hitting.com
Now
that we realize there have been flaws in coaching over the years,
Click
the appropriate link below to read about
Click
Below for
DRILLS
The Box Drill - they'll love it Great, fun hitting drill: get a few medium sized cardboard boxes, draw a baseball on them & let the kids whack at them. Be sure they use proper stance and that the 'ball' is at the right height. Three pluses: 1) they gain wrist power by hitting the box (follow through), 2) they learn and practice keeping their 'head in' and looking at the ball, and 3) the kids absolutely LOVE bashing a box until it is shredded. We were taught this as early teens and it certainly worked well.
"Half-Time" This is a drill used to teach young hitters to "go with the pitch", "hit behind the runner", and to "use the whole field". The drill uses only 1/2 of the field. Normally we use it for righted-handed dominated teams, so we use the right side of the diamond. The drill teaches players to hit to the right side. The players compete against each other. They get one run when they safely reach first-base on a hit or error. They get two runs if they hit a double, which is the best you can do with one swing of the bat. They are out if they fail to reach safely. Any ball hit to the left side of second-base is an out. A coach pitches and players play the right side positions. The coach pitches into a screen. No catcher is necessary. After the batter reaches 1B or 2B safely and the play is over, the batter comes back to the dugout. Players should keep up with everyone's' score and outs. All players play defense and bat. Each batter is allowed three outs before they go to play defense. When a batter makes his third out he goes to play right field and the defensive players rotate. Gloves are left against the fence behind 1B when the batters come in to hit. The position rotation is from 9 to 8 to 4 to 3. The first-baseman comes to bat when a players goes out to play defense. The drill can also be set up with teams competing. When a left-hander comes to the plate, the ball must be "pulled" to score. Batters are allowed to take until they get a pitch in a location that they know can be hit to the right side. This teaches them to read a pitch before reacting. You may add your own rules or "twist" to make it even better. It is a great drill and players love it!
Batting Stance Drill Purpose: To improve the hitter's batting stance Procedure: The hitter assumes the regular batting stance with the coach checking the placement of the feet, knees, hips, shoulders, head, and eyes.
Hip Turner Drill Purpose: Development of quicker hips and the relationship of hip speed to the entire swing. Procedure: Place a bat behind the waist, horizontal to the ground, and use a glove as home plate. While holding the ends of the bat in the hands, assume a normal batting stance and watch an imaginary pitch being delivered. Execute a stride and quick turn using the bat to help turn the hips faster. Finish in the proper contact point position.
Stride Drill Purpose: To practice the proper stride for hitting. Procedure: The hitter assumes the regular batting stance and isolates the stride by taking a low, quick and soft stride forward. The coach should make sure the hitter is not moving the weight too far forward during the stride because this causes the hips to be thrown forward.
Wrist Roller Drill Purpose: To enhance bat speed and control by facilitating the maximum efficiency in "throwing" the bat at the ball. Procedure: Players place themselves in the contact position, and then roll the bat forward and backward causing the bat to touch each shoulder as it completes a full arc. Players should use only their wrists and forearms to rotate the bat. You should be able to do about 60-80 wrist rollers in 1 minute.
Lead and Follow Hand Swings Drill Purpose: The lead hand swings allow a hitter to establish proper timing and power with the lead side of the body, giving the hitter proper contact with the ball. The follow hand swings establish the feeling of throwing the bat at the ball. Procedure: Hit off a tee, imaginary ball, or soft-toss. When executing swings with the lead hand, you should concentrate on keep the hand above the plane of the ball. If the lead hand drops under a pop out, strike out, or fly out will usually occur. The hitter must also turn the hips quickly for proper timing and power. The lead elbow should not extend fully before contact with the ball, since that will promote a slow bat due to an excess of arm arc in the swing. By concentrating on keeping the lead hand on top of the ball and turning the hips quickly, a hitter can establish proper timing and power with the lead side of the body. The lead hand/follow hand action creates timing and power. Both hands should snap straight into the ball precisely the same instant. This will help you establish proper bat speed and control.
Hitting Off A Tee Purpose: To develop the mechanics of players' swings using a stationary ball. Procedure: Alternate between one handed, (Lead & follow hand drills), and two handed swings to establish proper timing and relationship between bottom part of body and the hands. Develop a feel for for striding with the hands and hips cocked, and then turning the hands and hips together as a unit during the swing.
Eye Contact Drill Purpose: To improve eye contact with the ball. Procedure: There are three players to a group, a hitter, thrower, and catcher. The hitter stands 30-40 feet away from the thrower, and the catcher is in a catching position behind the hitter. The thrower throws the ball to the catcher and the hitter watches the ball in from the release of the pitch to the hitter's contact point. The catcher does not need to wear catching gear because the hitter doesn't not swing at the ball.
Soft Toss Drill Purpose: To increase the number of practice swings a hitter can perform using the correct technique. Procedure: The hitter stands 12-15 feet away from a screen or fence. The tosser kneels on one knee 12 feet in front and to the side of the hitter and tosses the ball softly underhanded into the hitter's strike zone so the hitter can take a full swing.
One Knee Hitting Drill Purpose: 1. To improve bat velocity. 2. To increase the number of practice swings a hitter can perform using the correct technique. Procedure: The hitter kneels 12-15 feet away from a screen or fence. The hitter's right knee is on a towel and and the left knee is bent at approximately a 90 degree angle. the tosser kneels on one knee 12 feet in front and to the side of the hitter and tosses balls underhanded into the hitter's strike zone, so the hitter can take a full swing.
Quick Hit Drill Purpose: 1. To increase the strength and quickness of the hands for hitting. 2. To increase the number of practice swings a hitter can perform using the correct technique. Procedure: The hitter stands 12-15 feet away from a screen or fence. The tosser kneels on one knee 12 feet in front and to the side of the hitter and tosses the ball underhanded at a fast rate into the hitter's strike zone, so the hitter can take a full swing. The hitter swings hard at the ball, and after each swing, the bat is rapidly returned to the ready position.
Wall Drill Purpose: To help players develop a short, quick swing that takes the bat directly to the ball. This is a great drill for a hitter to do while on deck. Procedure: Place knob of bat into stomach and extend the bat so that the top of it touches the net or screen. The hitter should set up in his stance and take an "inside-outside" swing, with the end of the bat just barely hitting the net. If the player swings with arms, he will create a long, looping swing and will hit the net or screen, keeping him from finishing his swing.
Bunting Drill I make a game out of bunting practice by setting areas that a good bunt should fall into. Two teams are made up and everybody goes through the order. Each ball that stays within the marked area is a run for that team. I later add fielding to the mix to work our fielders on defense. The players are tought to "catch" the ball with the bat instead of swinging and hitting.
Basic Bunting Drill Purpose: To learn different types of bunts. Procedure: Drill has one hitter and one tosser. The tosser is 25 feet from the hitter and kneels on one knee. The tosser throws the hitter ten balls, while the hitter practices on one type of bunt. After the hitter hits ten bunts, the hitter and tosser rotate. The drill may be repeated as many times as desired practicing the different types of bunts.
Bunting Accuracy Drill Purpose: To improve the player's accuracy in bunting to a specific area. Procedure: A rope is placed 15 feet from home plate and in a semicircle stretching from one sideline to another. The pitcher and catcher are in their defensive positions. The pitcher has a full ball bucket, and the catcher has an empty ball bucket. All hitters are at home plate. Each hitter bunts the ball and tries to keep it inside the rope. The hitter gets two chances to contact the bunt. If the first or second ball is bunted, the hitter runs to first base. If the hitter misses both balls, the hitter runs all the bases before returning to the end of the line.
Bunting Technique Drill Purpose: To improve players bunting technique. Procedure: A protective screen is in the middle of the pitching area. The drill has two pitchers and two catchers. Pitcher one is in front of the protective screen and throws to home plate. Pitcher two is behind the protective screen and throws to second base. Each pitcher has a bucket of baseballs and each catcher has an empty bucket. The hitters are divided into two groups, with one group at home plate and the second group at second base. Hitter 1 bunts a specific bunt and runs to first base, while at the same time, hitter 2 bunts a specific bunt and runs to third base. Then the hitters jog to the ends of the opposite lines. For time efficiency, the balls not contacted by the hitter are placed in the catcher's ball bucket, thereby allowing the pitcher to prepare for the next pitch.
4 Station Bunt Drill Purpose: To improve players bunting technique. Procedure: Use first base, second base, and third base as well as home plate as bunting stations. The drill should have 6 to a group that include a 3 shaggers, catcher, pitcher, and bunter. The pitchers should be around the mound area. Players will bunt two down each line and rotate positions. Players should not talk during drill.
Intra-squad Games Special Situations Purpose: 1. To practice specific game situations. 2. To improve player's concentration during specific game situations. Procedure: The team is divided into two squads. Various games include: Three-Two Count Game: Each player goes to plate with 3-2 count. Players must be selective but also protect the plate with a 3-2 count. Hit & Run Game: Runners are placed on the different bases prior to each inning. The teams play an intra-squad game with each batter going to the plate in hit & run situation. The defensive and the offensive teams play the hit and run game with the same rules that they would play a regulation game. Nine Outs Game: The teams play an intra-squad game with the defensive team staying on the field for nine outs, instead of three. The bases are cleared after a new inning is started after three outs. Two Strike Game: Players go to the plate with a two strike count. With a two strike count players must choke up and shorten their swings protecting their at bat and battle with the pitcher until a pitch comes down the "pipe". You can add runners on base if you like.
Batting Practice--Multi-Phase Offensive Drill First Round Begin round with runner on 1st base. Have defensive players at each position. Runner on 1st base will take his best lead. Pitcher will stretch and play on runner at 1st base one time, then he will throw to the 1st hitter. The first hitter will bunt one, (the runner on 1st base will advance to 2nd base on the bunt and then will go to defensive position or end of hitting line). On hit two, the batter will run the second hit out and stay there. The pitcher will play on the runner one time and throw to the second hitter in round one. This procedure should be followed through all of the hitters. Second Round Begin round one with runner on 2nd base. Pitcher will play on runner one time, using middle infielders. Hitter will bunt two, (sacrifice runner to 3rd and then squeeze the runner home). Hit two, run the second hit out to 2nd base and stay there. Continue this procedure through all hitters in second round. Third Round Begin round with runner on 1st base. The runner on 1st base breaks on the first pitch to the hitter and goes all the way to 3rd base. The hitters try to take the first pitch to right field. If they execute the hit and run successfully, they should be rewarded with an extra hit. After they hit two or three, they run out the last hit and stay and 1st base.
21 Outs Drill Purpose of Drill To make your defense handle the ball to get outs. To convince you pitching staff that a fast ball thrown for a strike will be hit at someone most of the time. Drill Rules
No base on balls. The eight defensive starters stay on defense for all 21 Outs. Runners left on base will come off after each "inning." The catcher will keep track of the outs and innings. Advantage of 21 Outs Drill It gives the coach a drill for coaching team defense. It can serve as batting practice for those not on defense. Good conditioner for pitchers. Develops pride on defense.
Important Notes 1. The coach and the players must treat this drill with the utmost game-like seriousness. 2. The pitching staff could and should chart pitches. A good 21 Outs Drill should require only 50 to 75 pitches. 3. This drill should not take longer than 30-40 minutes. (Record is 27 minutes.) All Championship Teams Begin On Defense!
TIPS
Back Eye Shut Great drill for those who are pulling their head out on the swing (excellent for young players). Take batting practice with the back eye closed or covered. This forces the hitter to follow the ball all the way in with the front eye. Thus, they tend to keep their head down throughout the swing.
Copyright © 2000 Brookside Little League, Inc. All rights reserved
[Official Little League Rules & Regulations] [Parents] [Players/Kids]
Learn How to:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
