On a regulation softball diamond, the pitcher’s mound is 43 feet from home plate. One reason players grip the bat tight is fear of letting it go, however, the hands tighten at contact. Once you’re fully balanced, have a coach or teammate throw an MB toward you so that you catch it with your arms extended. Fastpitch softball is a variation of the game of softball in which the pitchers throw the ball underhand at speeds that can top 75 mph. Gripping the bat tight slows your bat speed. Bend at the knees. In this video, Coach Paul Reddick and his players deomonstrate good stances for their swings. The goal of this drill is to standardize your swing and find out where you generate your power from. Bend at the waist. Inconsistent landing of the front foot, either stepping in bucket or diving into home plate. Batting stance is just the first of three phases in hitting. Core Power Hitting Stance Drill Straddle the ball and squeeze your inner-thighs/groin into the middle of the ball. 1999; 21(4):54-59. Our college-aged male baseball players stay within a range of 8-14 pounds. (Don’t worry, that will be covered next.). Also taught is how and why the back arm forms a ‘V’, and how to keep your hands inside to perform the ‘Power V’. This creates a wide base of stability and support. Hopefully, you can see the similarities between this exercise and the movements of a hitter. Don’t let it. The foundation of batting power is a good position. https://hitlasers.com/training-aids/how-it-works/, "I finished the Laser Power ST training and checked the bat speed, swing time, and handle speed. Therefore, the midline and the hips typically complement each other. Our post on the Top 5 Mistakes Hitters Make in Their Stanceis a goo… Think about it like this: if your body doesn’t trust you to land, it won’t allow you to jump as high. $4.11 shipping. 00. While pressing your arms into the ground to maintain stability, move your extended leg out to the side as far as possible without your hips losing balance or control. Bottom hand approximately the distance of the high pitch, the high strike — the pitch, strike up, top of the strike zone — and opposite the armpit. The term “midline stability” is another way to talk about core strength. This exercise is a great strengthening tool for the lateral stabilizers of the back and core. Developing power and consistency at the plate starts with the swing, and top-tier hitters understand the importance of continually evaluating and fine-tuning their mechanics. You're signed out. Never skip this part. If your exit velocity drops below approximately 90% of your max miles per hour, that’s an appropriate time to rest. You will want to have good balance and move your feet about shoulder length apart. Knob pointing towards the pitcher, top hand palm to the sky and hands are in front of the chest/belly button. Then, rapidly explode forward, simultaneously driving your back hip and shoulder. SWINGRAIL Baseball/Softball Swing Trainer . We recommend the K Position when batting. All content copyright ©2019 The Hitting Vault. This one is second most common, and is usually from a result of having some problems with the square stance. Aug 21, 2018 - Opening in your batting stance does not improve power, it’s a band-aid solution; to improve power focus on your foundation; core mechanics, and rotation. Improving your power through workouts doesn’t have to be complicated. The Hitting Deck shows a complete right and left side contact zone and the hitter's stance in relation to the tee placement. 5. In this video I answer a question that asks where in … =========================================. Lacking the confidence to hit an inside fastball. Some hitters may start with an open stance to help create more power in their stride. Just as with hitting, impressive exit velocity doesn’t matter if the launch angle is off. We want to keep a power position with both the lead arm and the top arm. When you are playing baseball/softball, as a batter, there is a lot of pressure on you. Much of the power in your swing comes from the lower body, and rotating your hips helps to use that power, and to fully extend your arms and bat toward the ball. Many youth baseball players are using an open batting stance. 3. Start in a side plank position with your elbows and shoulders directly in line with each other. A good way to know you’ve arched your back too far is if you begin to feel a big stretch in the front of your abdomen, hip and leg. Typically, the best medicine ball weight for softball players during these drills is 4-10 pounds, depending on age and strength. Typically, when a hitter thinks of exercises that can be used to help generate power at the plate, some form of a medicine ball (MB) throw that simulates the hitting motion comes to mind. The rotational demands placed on the midline of the body (any muscle that attaches to the spine) during the coiling and uncoiling of the swing can begin to wear the body down over the course of the season. Narrower stance. Next, reach underneath your rib cage (toward the wall behind you) and return to your starting position. Batting Stance Trainer. Choosing the right bat is the first step for T-ball. "One of the Pony League teams, even though, not an elite junior team, are beating the elite middle school, baseball teams; they are using the Laser Power ST." - South Korea. Home » Portfolio » Hitting Images » Baseball Power Workout » Baseball Stance And Load » Best Batting Stance For Power, Wearing the #LaserBST (#BatSpeedTrainer), how it works, benefits, design, #SpringTraining BP tips, Multi-Swing Method, Think Mechanics; elongating swing path, extending, ahead in the batting count. 4. Whereas some people think of core strength as having a six-pack, it actually implies that the athlete can rotate, flex, extend, and side bend safely and explosively during athletic movements (and, in particular, during the swing). Consideration #1: Focus on Strength Before Power, Consideration #3: Be Intentional About Power When Using a Medicine Ball, Softball Hitting Tips — Six Drills to Improve Power, this post that highlights six of the best j-band, long loop and short loop band exercises. Pointing your toes slightly inward, with the weight of your body on the inside part of your feet and forward on the balls of your feet. Fastpitch Softball Hitting Lesson - Batting Stance. Typically, a target at approximately eye level is beneficial for trajectory angle. It’s important to perform a full swing of the bat for a powerful hit instead of stopping the bat halfway through. The best way to hit a slow-pitch softball is to hit the ball with the part of the bat that is 5 to 7 inches below the top of the bat. At The Hitting Vault, we break down the softball and baseball swing exactly the same. Due to the fact that there are several muscles of the ‘core’ that also cross over the hip joint, there are a few exercises that can train and strengthen both midline stability and hip control. The body will not produce what it can’t absorb. Players usually require a short, lightweight bat. Baseball Swing Trainer. Relaxing your upper body, with your hands close to the back shoulder. The success of any baseball or softball hitter starts with the proper batting stance. For the kneeling banded anti-rotation pulldown, you’ll need a band with 10-20 pounds of resistance attached to an elevated structure. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.. These measurements can be helpful not only for evaluating your progress over time, but also for prescribing the right number of repetitions and sets. Most people stand directly parallel to home plate. $219.00 $ 219. I see this almost only in softball. Generate home run power and greater bat-head speed in slow-pitch softball by taking a shuffle step toward the pitcher. Make sure your back foot (one … Unlock over 100 Hitting Drills Instantly At the end of the day, our philosophy is that if you can put the ball in play at the right launch angle with high exit velocity, then you are going to not only climb in the order but also elevate your game. So, to answer the question, … Breaking Ball/Extension Hitting Stance. Proper Hand Position For A Batting Stance. Head and eyes are pointing toward the pitcher. Feet spread out in a straight line at shoulder width apart, then have your kids spread out an extra 3 to 6 inches. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama (BS). This exercise begins in a split stance, with the leg and foot closest to the incoming medicine ball set back and the other leg set forward. Posted at 09:51h in Stance, Load, Timing by Clinton Balgera. Hitting is arguably the most skill-intensive movement in all of sports. Rotate your hips toward the pitcher fully during your swing. As long as you have all the basics down when your front heel hits the ground, you’re chances of successfully hitting the ball are greatly increased. The muscles that are strengthened during this exercise are paramount to hitting for power — and more specifically, for creating a blocking force on the front side (e.g., a stiff front leg). Using the bat like a tomahawk, the coach or another player soft tosses a baseball above the waist. Make sure the bat handle is not gripped too far in the palm of the hand, your kids should grip the bat more in the middle of their fingers. Aim for holding it at least three seconds. It's important to understand that Major Leaguers don't always swing from the batting stance they start in. The closer your hands start to your body's center, the easier it is to hit a dominant fastball. The grip is tension free and the hands are not spread apart. Shopping. FYI, opening up does not help players to hit an inside fastball, it’s a band-aid solution; you improve bat speed and swing path mechanics, focusing on your swing foundation; core mechanics, and rotation. An athletic stance involves: Spreading your feet wider than shoulder-width apart. A good swing is a good swing. For any explosive rotational movement, the forces needed to create this motion are initiated by the hips and legs. White Sox Hitting Coach Matt Lisle is Giving Away Tickets to the Most Valuable Hour of Hitting Instruction. You will learn tips that include how the bottom hand takes you to the ball. Baseball Softball Hitting Batting Mat | Dual Purpose Instructional Setup, Stance, Stride & Swing Training & Batting Mat | Advanced Hitter | Stride Right Mats. Share. This article explains why, runs down three important considerations to keep in mind when you’re in the gym, and highlights six exercises that can have a game-changing impact on your hitting. Eyes on the pitcher. - Rusty Mcnamara, Hitting Coach; University Of Hawaii, USA. Strength is the foundation of any well-rounded athlete. The stance can feel complicated. To View the Next Video in this Series Click Here: http://www.monkeysee.com/play/1329-softball-batting-skills-the-swing Watch later. Stability at the hip will also allow a hitter to harness the power generated during the swing and not have a weak hip lead to leaked power. It was impressive, the other coach kept raising his eyebrows." Begin the exercise on your knee with your torso rotated as far as possible without arching the back. Glasser J, Anthony C, Brown W. Off-Season Training for Women’s Softball. Understanding that the normal batting stance (i.e. Your goal as a competitive athlete is not simply to get stronger in general, but to improve your performance in the specific skills necessary to excel at the sport you play. Gain momentum by leading with your left arm -- if you are a right-handed batter -- and pull the bat through the hitting zone. Open Batting Stance. In this article we will cover the basic batting stance, including how to practice the right style sure to increase bat speed. Related reading: Softball Hitting Tips — Six Drills to Improve Power. The inability to absorb power will cap your power potential and limit your overall growth as a hitter (or eventually lead to injury). If you’re interested in learning more about how to integrate resistance bands into your workout, warmup and recovery routines, check out this post that highlights six of the best j-band, long loop and short loop band exercises. Your stance should feel easy–balanced and natural. 01 Aug. Try to get over the ball and hit the top of it into the ground. Having hips that cannot withstand the forces generated by the legs will throw off your sequencing and limit the power you can produce. Feet spread out in a straight line at shoulder width apart, then have your kids spread out an extra 3 to 6 inches. 2. All right reserved. The hip thrust and variations of it is one of the best (and safest) exercises that fastpitch softball players can do in the weight room. What fewer hitters realize is that it’s just as important to focus on the details of your training regimen. Note that positional awareness of the exercise is more important than the resistance of the band; even having someone stand and hold a lightly-weighted band overhead will be plenty of resistance to achieve the benefits of this movement. From your stance, you move into your load position, and then you decide whether or not to swing the bat before following through on either decision. While your batting stance is important when it comes to batting effectively, the most important aspects of your stance are comfort, balance and vision. Welcome to Office Hours with Coach Madden Ep. This page contains affiliate links. 4.6 out of 5 stars 29. Asking, “why do you do it?” The response, “I don’t know.”. 4.1 out of 5 stars 1,838. To take and record these measurements, you’ll need the help of a coach, teammate or parent. And we keep this position and take the bat then the hands to the ball. Hands way too high. Tap to unmute. Step into the batter's box in a stance that feels comfortable. Following these guidelines can help accelerate your power progression at every stage of your development as a hitter: Weight training is an important part of your overall fitness and conditioning, but it’s important to utilize exercises that are designed to strengthen your body in the right way. It is up to you to hit the ball far out and help your team gain a point. Compact/Fastball Hitting Stance. Repetitions of this exercise should be done at a slow speed in order to ensure the midline is capable of proper absorption of forces in the vulnerable positions of the swing. That’s why it’s imperative to utilize the same critical movement patterns that you use when you swing — the more you’re able to do so, the more these drills will impact and improve your on-field performance. Find the middle ground because the head is the key. Perhaps it’s time to re-think your workout program and make sure you’re doing the right kind of strength training to boost your power and get better results at the plate. Has the effortless pop you had on opening day gradually tapered off over the course of the season? Cassie Reilly-Boccia is the Director of Research and Development and Intern Curriculum at Athletes Warehouse in Pleasantville, New York. Weight is on the front and inside balls of the feet, slight bend in the knees; avoid “knees, over toes.”. Does it feel like your power has plateaued, even though you’re going through hitting drill after hitting drill and putting in hours of tireless work on the tee? Typically, the best medicine ball weight for softball players during these drills is 4-10 pounds, depending on age and strength. - South Korea, "Currently, NC Dinos (Korea Pro Baseball Team) is playing Korean Series Play-Off (Semi-Final) I am meeting the team analyst, introducing the Laser Power ST." - South Korea. By Art Eversole What makes the game of slow-pitch softball so much fun for all ages and skill level is that nearly anyone can swing a softball bat at a slow pitch and get a base hit regardless of how poor the batting technique. Rotational hip strength leads to power in the swing (1). This movement will point your knees into each other, creating the perfect weight distribution for power, balance and to stay back. "Barreling, to the pull side and not getting hook-spin he gets a lot of, at times. You can see this exercise in action in this YouTube video. In 2012, she and her team won the Women’s College World Series. It’s what helps our bodies withstand the wear and tear endured over a season and a career. The final consideration when it comes to developing power at the plate is to be intentional about that power. Next, emulate the phases of the swing and aggressively rotate from the back hip to fire the medicine ball into the wall. front foot land) stays the same whether the pitch is in our out is an important concept for hitters. You will want to adjust your distance from home plate to give you room to hit the ball if inside but not so far away that you could not reach a pitch on the outside of the plate. Our college-aged male baseball players stay within a range of 8-14 pounds. Hands near the back shoulder. The only valid reason for opening up in your batting stance is to improve vision/release-point recognition, generally, facing submarine pitchers. More information #LaserPowerSwingTrainer HitLasers.com - #BaseballSwing power trainer for #MLB #MinorLeague #CollegeBaseball #HighSchoolBaseball #YouthBaseball and #Softball . May 1, 2011. Trying to drive the ball consistently using only your upper half is a great way to set yourself up for disappointment. 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