Select the Proper Bat
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Comfortable Stance
Stride and Hands (Load)
Quick Swing Straight to Ball
Long Follow Through
• Make sure that players can handle their
bat
• Too heavy of a bat lead to inconsistent
fundamentals
Observation: Hitters are NOT Robots
• Grip: Knocking Knuckles Aligned
– Bat in Fingers NOT in Palm
• Feet: little wider than Shoulder Width
• Head: Turned to Pitcher
– See the Pitcher with BOTH Eyes
• Hands: Near Head, At or Above Shoulder
– This will vary from person to person
• Brief, synchronized movement with the
hands and the lead leg in preparation of
the swing
• Hands slightly move towards catcher
• Front Leg moves towards Pitcher
• Stride and Hands should be SET before
the ball gets to the plate
• Stride and Hands go EVERY pitch
• Recognize a pitch to swing at
• Quick Fire of the Back Knee
– Continues to move to form a “Power L”
• Hands straight to contact
– Bat to Follow
• Eyes See Contact
• Throw the Bat Head at the Ball
• On Contact, Extend Through the Ball
– Power Triangle
How do you hit Home Runs?
*Drive the Ball by getting Backspin
• Backspin: Occurs when the bat hits the
ball through the bottom 1/3 and the ball
stays on the bat
• Power Triangle keeps the ball on the bat a
split second longer, creating back spin
• Maintain a Firm Front Leg until Contact
has ended
One of the best Power hitters. Hits well to RF b/c keeps hands
inside ball but still hits line drives. Also, Whether ball is HIGH
or LOW, he adjusts with his hands but BASE is the same.
#1: Weight distribution of about 60/40 in favor of back side.
#2: Hands move back a little with stride, head stays still.
#3: Hands straight to
ball, ball to left-center.
Also, head over the knee
and eyes on the ball.
#4: Extension through
ball. Power Triangle.
#5: Long back swing &
still firm front side.
#6: Completed back
swing and ready to run.
#1 & #2: Look at the consistency in his lower
half, even though the ball is at two different
heights.
#3 & #4: Notice how he stays inside the
baseball on #3 and lets the ball get deep to hit it
to Left Field. The only adjustment he makes to
pull the ball is hitting the ball out in front of the
plate.
Notice: Keep your
head over your
back knee to
remain balanced
and your eyes on
the ball
Even though Ichiro isn’t a power guy, notice the similarities with
Ichiro and Pujols in picture #3. He still hits off a firm front leg and
has a “Power L” although it is less distinctive.
Ichiro has a high leg kick (#1) but
he still is in the same position to
hit as others are before the ball is
to the plate (#2).
In the bottom picture, notice
how through his swing his head
remains on the same plane.
This allows for better vision of
the ball.
Notice here that his head maintains placement on
the shoulder in #1 & #2. This provides stability and
easier vision of the ball. Also note: in #2, hands go
back slightly as his left leg goes forward
Notice the approach to the ball in #1 & #2. Short to
ball with solid contact in #3. and the extension in #5.
Look how in #4 his head is down with the “Power L”
on the backside.
#6: Long Follow
Through. Admire
the work that you
have done.
Starts high and unorthodoxed:
finishes in a great position (#5) to
hit the ball hard and far. Has a firm
front side, Power L, Power Triangle,
and great extension.
Swinging a bat is much like swinging an axe.
In #1 check out his firm front leg and his
“Power L.” #2 you can see the developing
“Power L” and the split second before
extension and the Power Triangle.
1) READY EARLY
#1: Everyone should be in this position, ready
for the ball with the angle already set
#2: Straighter back, leg to the ground, level bat
Or
#3 & #4: Eye level with the bat and squat down
2) SET THE ANGLE
3) LEVEL BAT
4) GET IT DOWN
5) NEVER DROP BAT HEAD
1. Recognize it will hit
you
2. Roll shoulder into the
ball
3. Take it in the meat of
the body