Coach Roy: Hitting Made Simple "The Basics"

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I. STANCE---ready position


A) Grip-preferably have close to middle knuckle alignment-control the bat but don't squeeze(soft hands)
B) Head-must be still and both eyes looking at the pitcher.
C) Be relaxed and comfortable
D) Balance is a must--Start balanced to finish balance.
E) Knees inside feet-good athletic position
F) Elbows down and relaxed.
G) Hands-Up and away (above back shoulder)
H) Bat position-preferably at a 45 angle with ground. Knob of the bat pointing down behind home plate.
I) AVOID EXTREMES!!-such as too far open or closed, too stiff or crouched down.


II. LOAD OR TRIGGER---The Key


A) Single most important phase in hitting. It is your timing to the pitcher.
B) How---With top hand, lift bat to the up and away position(hands must be back to successfully hit with athority)
C) When---"When the pitcher winds up, you load(trigger) up. Timing is the key to success. Hands are now in the hitting position.
D) Load only with hands not the body


III. Stride---(stride and load) or (load and stride)


A) Doesn't matter, but what does is THAT THE FRONT FOOT IS DOWN AND SETTLED BEFORE THE SWING!!!
B) Length-a low 3"-6" glide step(stay smooth) The leg from the knee down steps away from the body(toward pitcher). Weight stays BACK. (Knee inside
front foot)
C) When-the stride takes place before the pitcher releases the ball(will vary). Is simply for timing you don't hit with your front foot.
Weight and hands must be back.
D) 60% of your weight is on the back leg.

E) Remember if the front foot moves at the same time your pull your hands to the ball---YOU WILL LUNGE FORWARD Always keep the
head still.


IV. THE SWING---Pull


A) Hands to the Ball
1) Bottom hand(knob of the bat) pulls to the ball
2) Top hand drives through the ball. Top hands rolls over at/after impact
"PULL AND PUNCH"
3) Down and through swing
B) As hands pull to the ball the back foot pivots(bottom of shoe pointing backwards)
C) Front foot stays closed
D) Hips turn or rotate---"Quick hips Quick hands"
At impact The back leg position should look close to a "L", all the weight on the back leg. Front leg is firm and straight at contact.
Front foot remains closed while weight remains on the balls of the feet.
E) Finish the swing with hands/bat over the outside shoulder. Doesn't matter whether
the pitch is high or low, the finish is the same.
F) Start balanced---Finish balanced. Remember you will never be successful finishing unbalanced. Balance, Balance, Balance



KEY POINTS


Start Balanced in order to finish Balanced
Pitcher winds up---you load up
Hands up and away(back shoulder)
Pull and Punch
Down and through
Quick hips quick hands
Finish high