There are many variations of different parts of good hitting technique. This does not make any of these methods right or wrong. Some work better for some people than others. A coach needs to take the basics and develop a hitters technique to improve his or her skills.

Hitting technique is very personal. A hitter can take in all the proven theories and develop a style which works for them. Here are suggestions for the beginning hitters, because the young player needs a fundamental place to start their development. ( Oh yes! they work for older players too.)

THE BASIC STANCE

Have a batter approach the plate & stand parallel with an imaginary line between home plate and the pitching rubber.

• Feet about shoulders width apart
• Front foot placed approx. a batters foot away from the plate - somewhere in the front half of the plate
• BALANCE is the key - make sure they are comfortable and not rigid.
• Slightly crouched position with most of the body weight resting on the rear leg
• Grab the bat handle with barrel resting on plate - lay the handle of the bat in the batters lead hand, up at the knob - then place the rear hand down the bat barrel / up next to the lead hand - palms up. ( This is just the standard hand layout ) Now, have the batter lay the handle of the bat in his fingers up next to the body of his hands. Pull the bat up over the shoulder. Have the batter line up the center joints of his fingers - this keeps them from squeezing the bat to death & allows for good wrist break at contact & good follow through with the bat.
• Bat should be off the shoulder / about a 45 degree angle
• Hands approx. 6 - 8" away from the body - no higher than the shoulders
• Elbows close to level

THE SWING

• Coil slightly backward when the pitchers arm is high - before he releases the ball. (This is a timing thing, that has to be learned through practice. With some pitchers, the batter will have to start early & with a slow pitcher, start late or close the stance.) Go right into a forward stride as the pitcher releases the ball - stride approx. half of the batters set stance ( shorter is better than longer )
• Plant your front foot as you start your swing
• Rotate your hips & shoulders level as you shift some weight to the front foot - as the back foot pivots in its original position - the heel lifts. ( called: Squishing the bug )
• Swing through the contact zone - Contact the ball somewhere between the toes of your front foot & the center line of your body.
• FOLLOW THROUGH - It's good discipline for young players to keep both hands on the bat during their follow-through. As they grow older, they can experiment with different styles of weight shift and follow-through.

VARIATIONS OF THE STANCE