5 Things To Do To Improve Your Batting Skills

Stefani Murguia

10/21/13

Block 3

             Five Things You Can Do To Improve your softball hitting.

1. Use the Fast Part of Your Feet.  “Too many times a hitter will get into her stance and put her weight on the back part of her foot over her heel, instead of using the fast and powerful front part of her foot” (Bristows). If you are balance your weight on your back foot it gives you more power when you swing.

2. Visualization. “Hitters should take as many swings off a tee, if not against live pitching, as possible”.(Mahoe). But what if your team doesn't have the capability to have each player take that many cuts off a tee or live pitching during practice. Even if there is only one tee for players to hit off the other players can still practice their hitting technique. Have players get into their stance with the bat and visualize a pitcher pitching to them. They should go through their routine of starting outside the batters box then stepping in and getting ready for the pitch .

3. Drive Forward. “Hitters really want to twist sideways instead of allowing their power to drive forward toward the pitcher and the ball.” Bristows. Again, the power pod really helps the hitter feel the forward or linear movement and will really expose those hitters that stay back and twist throughout their swing. To do this have your hitters get into their stance with the power pod under their back foot and then push down 4-5 times into the Pod. This will really allow their legs to relax, loosen up and feel the forward direction from the power pod.

4. Push Instead of Pull. This is an interesting one but many hitters feel that their stride foot pulls them forward instead of allowing their backside to push or drive them forward through the swing. Hitters need to keep their weight over their back foot during the stride and then use their back foot to push forward behind their hands, this is adding power to their swing. “This is how you have a stronger swing. When you use your back leg it is like squishing a bug , you need to twist and drive.” Bristows.

5.Stance. A batter's stance in the box is always determined by that player's comfort level. “Some batters will sit deep in the box and take a step forward to help create their hip rotation. “ (Cooper). Many batters will step in and settle for a position that does not require them to move their plant foot. The key to stance is comfort and hitter's need to develop a stance that allows him to bat with comfort and confidence.

                    Works Cited

Bristow, Cindy. "4 Tips for Helping Your Hitters Increase Their Power." « Softball Excellence. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.   

"Softball Hitting Tips." Active.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2013

“Hitting Home Runs In Slow Pitch Softball.” yahoo_sports.com. N.p.< N.d.. Wed. 24 Oct. 2013