Proper Technique – Preparation

Coaching Tips

• 
  Show power in fingertips by putting finger in palm and squeezing, then finger in fingertips and squeezing.
  

Proper Technique – Lower Body

- Your stride is only a timing mechanism, not a power generator

- Turn upper body away slightly as you stride

- Quiet – (think of stepping onto thin ice): 6 inches, max; no weight on front leg

- Takes us down into our legs, not out – take an athletic position

- Front leg firm – forces the hips around

- Lift the back heel slightly

- Turn back knee and belly button to ball

- Should be a small and subtle movement, not a large obvious movement

- If pitch is inside, quick short turn, if outside, longer turn
3. Think Quick

- Snake analogy – coil and strike

- The shorter the distance between the knees, the faster you can turn

Suggested Drills

Line up bats and helmets along 1^st base line, 7 feet apart

Have players come assume correct stance and grip

Coach calls out swing progression (stride, back knee, belly button, release)

On release, kids should bring bat at contact point, and have weight on back leg

Coaches walk up and down line correcting lower body mechanics

Have kid stand on 36 inch raised platform and swing at tee or soft toss

Goal is to swing with balance, thus not fall off beam
Volleyball (B) Objective: Help kids keep knees together during swing

Set up tee station

Put volleyball between kids knees when they swing

Don’t have ball fall out during swing

Goal is to have knees work in rhythm
Tire (B) Objective: Teach shorter stride

Set up tee, soft toss or pitch station

Have player put front foot inside car tire

Have player swing at pitches (or off tee)

Front foot should start and finish inside tire
Crossover (B) Objective: Teach balance

Set up tee station

Player starts 2-3 feet away from ball on tee

Player advances sideways stride to ball

Coach calls out Right, left, swing
Leg Lift (B) Objective: Teach balance

Set up tee or soft toss station

Lift front leg and balance for 3 seconds, then swing

Coaching Tips

• 
  Many kids will try to over-stride (or lunge at the ball) in the mistaken belief that they can generate more power with a bigger stride. The key here is to stress that power comes from rotation: a small stride with good balance and a firm front leg (which forces the hips around).
  
• 
  Many kids will start their swing with their upper body, especially younger kids, as it is easier to swing the bat that way, and is probably what they learned in T-ball. Having kids work on lower body mechanics without swinging is a great way to help them develop good lower body movement.
  
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  Watch for a loop or a hitch in kids swing when they start their lower body movement. They will usually raise the bat, or drop their hands, or otherwise start their upper body swing before their lower body movement is completed. Their hands should remain in front of their shoulder until their hips come around. To help solve this, simply have them keep their bat on their shoulder throughout the lower body movements (use the shirt drill, below, if necessary). If they need further help, have a coach hold their bat while they go through the lower body motions.