Let’s think about it; in what endeavor is a 70% failure rate considered ideal? In what endeavor is a 50% failure rate considered legendary?
Turns out, hitting a baseball is actually quite difficult. It takes finely tuned timing, hand-eye coordination, and strength just to make contact with the ball—let alone hit it out of the park. The famed difficulty of baseball hitting makes it a mental game just as much as a physical one.
Coaches truly have their work cut out for them when teaching players proper swing mechanics. Luckily, you can rely on some tried-and-true hitting drills for baseball and softball players.
How to Teach Hitting in Baseball Practice
The best coaches know how to break any skill down into more manageable pieces. While an athlete must master all elements of batting in order to perform well, understanding the separate parts can help them learn. Understanding how to hit a baseball comes down to four important steps:
- Approach: Players must approach the ball with a proper stance and grip. Teach players to balance their weight evenly, stand in the right place near home plate, and hold the bat with a slightly relaxed grip.
- Stride: To initiate a swing, players shift their weight back and stride forward. Focus on teaching your players to bend their knees and hold the bat evenly.
- Contact: When the timing is right, players swing the bat forward to make contact with the ball. Teach players to aim for a smooth swing and solid contact between the bat and ball.
- Finish: Players must follow through on the swing after the bat makes contact with the ball. Teach each player to maintain a controlled finish that keeps their body aligned.
Players learn best in a positive environment, so make baseball hitting practice fun and encouraging. Set realistic goals, give motivational feedback, and try a variety of drills to keep athletes engaged.
9 Baseball Hitting Drills for Youth Teams
Here are a few great baseball hitting drills for any youth baseball coach to have in their playbook.
1. Basic Batting Practice
There is always room for the fundamentals: Have a coach, volunteer, or another player pitch ball after ball, allowing batters to get some repetition. This drill can be one of the best ways to build confidence. And when players start hitting some balls, they will have fun, too!
What it teaches: Proper approach, stride, and contact
2. Tee Practice
Hitting off a tee can be invaluable for players of any age. It helps novices feel what it is like to make contact with a ball, and it helps even the more experienced players to flatten their swing. Additionally, coaches can use tee practice as a chance to really step back and evaluate each player’s form.
What it teaches: Ball contact, swing form, and confidence
3. Spot Hitting
Place an item, like a glove or a cup, out on the field. Start pitching and direct players to hit the ball before it passes that fixed object in their field of vision. This drill is a great way to coax players into getting in front of pitches and out in front of the plate.
What it teaches: Sightlines, proper contact, and positioning
4. Double Pitching
Pitch two balls, one right after another, perhaps one a little higher or lower than the other. Call out for the hitter to connect with either the first or second pitch. Players direct their engagement to the proper ball, helping to build focus and control.
What it teaches: Bat positioning, ball contact, and swing control
5. Boxing
Get a boxing or punching bag and direct your hitter to connect with it using the bat. The goal here is to teach follow-through. They should swing at the bag, connect, and stay connected rather than recoil or back away. The boxing drill is a very powerful exercise for perfecting power and form and learning to hit harder.
What it teaches: Follow through, arm strength, and commitment
6. One-Handed Swings
Set up this drill like basic batting practice. Have someone pitch balls to the player at bat, and have the player swing at the balls with only one hand on the bat.
This drill isolates the arms, which strengthens the muscles. It also forces players to focus on their bat control and hand positioning.
What it teaches: Hand and arm strength, hand positioning, and bat control
7. Dry Swings
Take the ball out of the equation to really focus on the swing mechanics. Have players practice swinging the bat evenly and forcefully, only worrying about form. You might even have them try it in slow motion. If circumstances allow, try this drill in front of a mirror (such as in a dance studio), allowing the player to see and correct their swing in real time.
What it teaches: Swing mechanics, balance, and bat positioning
8. Walk-Up Drill
With a tee or soft toss ready, have players take a few steps back from their normal hitting stance. To complete their hit, they will take a small step forward. This step allows the player to gain momentum as they transition directly into their stride and swing. Using this tactic, players practice a proper sequence of movements, translating to a powerful swing.
What it teaches: Loading mechanics, weight transfer, and momentum
9. Pitch Recognition
Hitting is about more than the physical swing. Players must understand timing and make split-second decisions.
For this drill, have players put down the bat. As a pitcher lobs balls, the player focuses on the pitch and whether it is inside the strike zone. They call out “ball” or “strike” to indicate what they have seen.
What it teaches: Eye training, pitch recognition, and decision-making
More Baseball Support from gearUP
Coaches can never have too many youth baseball batting drills to draw from. We hope these nine prove to be game-changers for you and your players.
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