Hitting a baseball is a difficult and complicated skill to master. Trying to hit a round object that's moving at an accelerated speed with the potential for movement either in or out, and down, and trying to hit it with a cylindrical shaped object - a bat, hitting a baseball is possibly the most difficult feat to accomplish in all of sports!
Coaches teaching hitting mechanics try cover everything from the proper placement of the bat in the hands and alignment of the knuckles to the proper stance, the load process, keeping the head on the ball, follow through, etc. All are important but there are 6 main ingredients or ABSOLUTES that make for a successful swing and are used by every good Major League hitter.
The Absolutes of Hitting used by all of the best hitters in professional baseball include the following:
1. The front knee must coil, at least slightly, in order to start your loading process. Think of it as taking the front knee toward the back knee, in short it's "knee to knee". This is where torque is developed.
2. As you coil your front knee, the hands must start back and the wrists must be cocked in order to generate power. The bat head should move just slightly behind the hitter's helmet. Do not wrap the bat around your head though.
3. You step away from your hands when you stride. Some coaches talk about walking away from your hands, but you actually step away while your body stays back. This action of staying behind the stride foot is one of the main elements in generating power in your swing. If you move your body toward or even worse, move out over the front foot, you have no power to hit!
4. Then, the stride foot must land before you start your swing. If you’re late getting the stride foot down, you lose momentum and of course you consequently lose power in your swing. And, of course, you must keep your eyes on the flight of the ball all the way to the bat.
5. You must pivot on the back foot and the shoe laces should face back toward the pitcher upon contact with the ball. Do not roll the pivot foot over or you'll be off balance.
6. Finish high. Your swing should finish above the front shoulder. That is where all professional power hitters finish.
Watch yourself in a mirror or have your swing video taped so you can see what your swing looks like. Use a Tee and over emphasize your front knee coil during practice swings. Also use the "walk through" Tee Drill and again exaggerate the knee coil during your swing. This will help train you utilize good hitting mechanics come game time!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Hitting Program For An Explosive Swing!
By Jay Johnson, hitting coach University of San Diego
How can you ensure getting an explosive swing every time at the plate? Johnson shares the San Diego drill progression designed to maximize consistency, strength and power in the swing. The first concept is the impact of seeing the ball, as timing, pitch selection and the path of hands during the swing are all dictated by seeing the ball. The zone drill, including three zones, is taught to hitters at the plate. Drills include the colored ball tracking drill and the slider drill. Explosive hitting is developed with three drills; backhand catch, torque drill with tee and the uphill tee drill. Balance and timing are added to the most important areas of hitting. Johnson demonstrates the bounce drill where the ball is bounced off the ground before hitting. The hands are also important in hitting, and the short bat drill emphasizes the batter's hands going straight in the direction of the pitch. Angle hitting and angle screen are two drills that enhance the short, quick swing, and the "Smoke the Cones" drill helps develop hits to center.
40 Minutes
Coaching DVDs at Championship Productions
How can you ensure getting an explosive swing every time at the plate? Johnson shares the San Diego drill progression designed to maximize consistency, strength and power in the swing. The first concept is the impact of seeing the ball, as timing, pitch selection and the path of hands during the swing are all dictated by seeing the ball. The zone drill, including three zones, is taught to hitters at the plate. Drills include the colored ball tracking drill and the slider drill. Explosive hitting is developed with three drills; backhand catch, torque drill with tee and the uphill tee drill. Balance and timing are added to the most important areas of hitting. Johnson demonstrates the bounce drill where the ball is bounced off the ground before hitting. The hands are also important in hitting, and the short bat drill emphasizes the batter's hands going straight in the direction of the pitch. Angle hitting and angle screen are two drills that enhance the short, quick swing, and the "Smoke the Cones" drill helps develop hits to center.
40 Minutes
Coaching DVDs at Championship Productions
Friday, June 12, 2009
Pitching Tip
Six Keys To Successful Pitching:
1. Conditioning - good pitching begins with proper conditioning and skills development. Pitching requires strength and stamina.
2. Control - is the prime factor in successful pitching. The pitcher must develop good mechanics and be consistent in duplicating them in-order to develop good control.
3. Concentration - The pitcher must focus and concentrate soley on getting the batter out. The pitcher should visualize the anticipated flight path of the ball before delivering the pitch. focus on a small target within the catcher's glove.
4. Confidence - Successful pitchers know their best pitch and are never afraid to use it no matter who's at bat or what the count. The pitcher must feel that he is better than the hitter!
5. Consistency - Pitching mechanics must be unconscious effort and are second nature. Consistency is developed through constant practice, bull pens and drills.
6. Commitment - Successful pitchers have strong work ethics. They understand that they must work hard to develop and maintain strong pitching skills. They must have a strong off-season practice and conditioning routine.
1. Conditioning - good pitching begins with proper conditioning and skills development. Pitching requires strength and stamina.
2. Control - is the prime factor in successful pitching. The pitcher must develop good mechanics and be consistent in duplicating them in-order to develop good control.
3. Concentration - The pitcher must focus and concentrate soley on getting the batter out. The pitcher should visualize the anticipated flight path of the ball before delivering the pitch. focus on a small target within the catcher's glove.
4. Confidence - Successful pitchers know their best pitch and are never afraid to use it no matter who's at bat or what the count. The pitcher must feel that he is better than the hitter!
5. Consistency - Pitching mechanics must be unconscious effort and are second nature. Consistency is developed through constant practice, bull pens and drills.
6. Commitment - Successful pitchers have strong work ethics. They understand that they must work hard to develop and maintain strong pitching skills. They must have a strong off-season practice and conditioning routine.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Goal Setting - The Key To The Athlete's Success
When a hunter sets out with his gun and hunting dog, he knows what he's going hunting for. He know his TARGET! Do you as an athlete or coach know what you're aiming for? What's your TARGET? What's your GOAL?
One of the best ways to get to where you want to go in your sport, or in life for that matter, is to set GOALS. You must have a plan, a road map on how you will achieve the things you want.
First and most important, what is it that you want to achieve? Is it to make your school's Varsity High School Baseball Team. To be a star pitcher on your summer travel team? To be a stud hitter or an all-star caliber infielder? Maybe your GOAL is to get a scholarship to play at a Division I college? What ever your GOAL, you must first identify it and then write it down. This becomes your Out-Come GOAL. The thing(s) you wamt most to achieve.
After you determine your Out-Come GOAL, the most important step is to make a written list of Performance GOALS, drills or routines that if done routinely, will help you reach your Out-Come GOALs. For instance, your GOAL SHEET might look something like this:
My Athletic Out-Come Goal is to be an impact Pitcher for ABC University my freshman year in college.
My Performance GOALS to help me achieve my GOAL of Pitching for ABC are as follows:
1. I will condition myself by jogging at least 2 mile a day 5 days a week
2. I will use the interval running principle to increase my stamina and build leg strength and lung capacity when making my 2 mile runs.
3. I will jump rope 5 minutes a day 6 days a week.
4. I will execute form running excercises 20 minutes a day 5 days a week and include carioca, high knees, backwards, high skip, spider crawls, high kicks, side to side shuffles, butt kickers.
5. I will run 10 - 60 yard sprints 3 days a week.
6. I will throw long distance - working back to 120 feet for 12 - 15 LD throws every other day while weather permits.
7. I will go through 12 minutes of specific towel drills every other day during the off-season or when weather prohibts me from working outside plus visualize throwing a 50 pitch bull pen using a hand towel.
8. I will work my arms and upper body with rubber tubing exercises 3 times a week. 3 sets of 10 reps each: See Dr. Jobe Program.
9. I will perform 3 sets of 25 push-ups 5 days a week.
10. I will practice fielding my position at least once a week when weather permits or when I have access to a gym or other facility. I will field 25 bunts and throw to 1b, I will field 25 bunts and throw to 2B: I will field 25 come-backers and throw to 2B; I will practice covering 1B on balls hit to 1B side 25 times. I will practice covering 1B on 3-6-1 DP's (25X). I will practice covering home plate on WP/PB 10X.
These are a few examples of drills and exercise you can do to, and need to do, in order to achieve the lofty Out-Come GOAL in this example. You, however, must set your own performance goals, goals that are achievable, ones that you can and are willing to do. They must be specific with a time frame. Simply stating I will work on my arm strength is not a performance Goal. Making 15 long distance throws every other day is a specific performance Goal. No one else can set goals for you. It just won't work. If you're interested in playing at the next level and eventually at the collegiate level, only dedication, desire and determination to prepare will get you there.
Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail,
Coach Bob Harris
One of the best ways to get to where you want to go in your sport, or in life for that matter, is to set GOALS. You must have a plan, a road map on how you will achieve the things you want.
First and most important, what is it that you want to achieve? Is it to make your school's Varsity High School Baseball Team. To be a star pitcher on your summer travel team? To be a stud hitter or an all-star caliber infielder? Maybe your GOAL is to get a scholarship to play at a Division I college? What ever your GOAL, you must first identify it and then write it down. This becomes your Out-Come GOAL. The thing(s) you wamt most to achieve.
After you determine your Out-Come GOAL, the most important step is to make a written list of Performance GOALS, drills or routines that if done routinely, will help you reach your Out-Come GOALs. For instance, your GOAL SHEET might look something like this:
My Athletic Out-Come Goal is to be an impact Pitcher for ABC University my freshman year in college.
My Performance GOALS to help me achieve my GOAL of Pitching for ABC are as follows:
1. I will condition myself by jogging at least 2 mile a day 5 days a week
2. I will use the interval running principle to increase my stamina and build leg strength and lung capacity when making my 2 mile runs.
3. I will jump rope 5 minutes a day 6 days a week.
4. I will execute form running excercises 20 minutes a day 5 days a week and include carioca, high knees, backwards, high skip, spider crawls, high kicks, side to side shuffles, butt kickers.
5. I will run 10 - 60 yard sprints 3 days a week.
6. I will throw long distance - working back to 120 feet for 12 - 15 LD throws every other day while weather permits.
7. I will go through 12 minutes of specific towel drills every other day during the off-season or when weather prohibts me from working outside plus visualize throwing a 50 pitch bull pen using a hand towel.
8. I will work my arms and upper body with rubber tubing exercises 3 times a week. 3 sets of 10 reps each: See Dr. Jobe Program.
9. I will perform 3 sets of 25 push-ups 5 days a week.
10. I will practice fielding my position at least once a week when weather permits or when I have access to a gym or other facility. I will field 25 bunts and throw to 1b, I will field 25 bunts and throw to 2B: I will field 25 come-backers and throw to 2B; I will practice covering 1B on balls hit to 1B side 25 times. I will practice covering 1B on 3-6-1 DP's (25X). I will practice covering home plate on WP/PB 10X.
These are a few examples of drills and exercise you can do to, and need to do, in order to achieve the lofty Out-Come GOAL in this example. You, however, must set your own performance goals, goals that are achievable, ones that you can and are willing to do. They must be specific with a time frame. Simply stating I will work on my arm strength is not a performance Goal. Making 15 long distance throws every other day is a specific performance Goal. No one else can set goals for you. It just won't work. If you're interested in playing at the next level and eventually at the collegiate level, only dedication, desire and determination to prepare will get you there.
Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail,
Coach Bob Harris
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