The Secret to Perfecting Your Swing

Key #1 - Stance

Batter should have a “two eyed look” – with the head turned forward and both eyes focused on the pitcher’s release point.

• Some hitters make the mistake of turning their heads to the side and only watching the ball with the front eye. This limits depth perception and tracking of the ball.

• Feet are a little wider than shoulder width apart with an equal bend in the knees. Hitter should be in a relaxed, athletic position.

• Shoulders are square to the plate

Key #2 - Negative Move

Batter “loads” the swing with a linear move back, away from the pitcher

• Shoulders stay level and square to the plate

• No rotation at this point

Key #3 - Positive Move

Batter starts forward momentum

• Smooth, rhythmic movement from negative move into positive move

• Remain balanced

• Hips stay flat and square to the plate

Key #4 - Toe Touch

• Short (3-5 inch) light stride with front foot

• Head stays centered over body and slightly in front of belt buckle

• Weight is equally distributed between front and back legs

• Do not lean forward, firm up or collapse the front leg

Key #5 - Heel Plant

• Plant the front heel

• Prepare for rotation of the hips

• Maintain balance

Key #6 - Connection

The back elbow swings down and “connects” with the back hip

• Focus on closing the gap between the back elbow and back hip

• Head remains centered over belly button

• Weight starts to transfer  to front side

• Back elbow leads the hands

• No dropping or dipping the barrel of the bat

• Front toe is closed to the pitcher

Key #7 - Bat Lag

The barrel comes down to an even plane with the hands

• Hips are starting to turn in a rotational movement

• Front leg starts firming up
  

At Pre-Contact, hands are higher than the barrel of the bat

• Back elbow passes back hips as the back hips open up

• Body remains centered – no lean forward or backward

• Slight bend in arms

• Back heel comes up but does NOT spin or “squish the bug”

• Hands are in palm up palm down position

• Front foot remains closed and firm
  

Key #8 - Contact

Wrist-snap: release the back wrist (top hand) as ball meets the bat

• Top hand can stay on bat or let go

• Front arm has a slight bend

• Hands are always higher than the ball

Key #9 - Extension

Shoulders and arms extend out and form a triangle (“Power V”)

• Body remains balanced and centered

• Do not spin off the ball (caused by premature turning of the back foot)
  

Key #10 - Follow Through

High finish

• Weight has transferred forward to the front foot

• Release of the firm front leg

• Up on the ball of the back foot

• Body remains fairly centered throughout