Hitters Checklist

Important Concepts

• Rhythm and timing (dancing with the pitcher)
• Recognition – the hitter hits what he sees – not what is thrown
• Hitters are both linear (stride) and rotational (swing)
• One movement must end for another to begin to have an effective swing, this helps minimize lunging and drifting
• Timing – being in the right place at the right time to enable the recognition of any pitch no matter what type, speed or location

The Absolutes

• Dynamic balance – knowing and controlling the center of gravity from start to finish
• Rotation – the swing is made up of fluid sequential motions involving two movements. Linear (stride) and angular (swing).Kinetic energy (moving energy) is created by rotating body segments sequentially in the correct order translating energy from the hips up the body and finally to the bat head itself. Bat speed is created by a correct sequence of proximal to distal.
• Axis of rotation- an imaginary semi vertical line around which the body rotates during the swing. The sturdier the line while remaining in an athletic posture, the faster the body can rotate.
• Bat lag- the final sequence of rotation. The bat comes last delivered to and through the ball by the entire connected upper body controlled by the hips.

The Setup

• Style-personal
• Square-level-straight
• Feet slightly wider than the hips-comfort
• Weight placed towards the insides of the feet
• Knees flexed slightly and inside the feet
• Grip the bat at the base of the fingers rather than buried
• Relaxed elbows-bat over shoulder
• Hands close to body and back shoulder-simple
• Bat angled somewhere between vertical and 45 degrees
• Head is turned towards the pitcher for close to two eyed look
• Establish rhythm that fits body type and allows for flow into rotation

Getting Started

• Should be theinitial move to load hips with slight inward working against a firm back leg
• Keep it small and simple
• Back knee remains inside the foot
• Hands are relaxed and close to the body
• Extreme moves could include kicks and taps
• Maintain center of mass centered between the feet
• Maintain established posture
• Action is slow, easy and early
• First move to allow the body to be in the right place at the right time

Stride to Balance

• Maintain body mass centered
• Stride foot lands against the inside ball of the foot on close to a 50 degree angle
• Hands are close to the body and the back shoulder keeping the lead elbow close to 120 degrees
• The bat is over the back shoulder close to 45 degree angle with the knob pointing towards the catcher’s feet and the end over head-simple, efficient
• Proper timing for the hitter to get to launch would be when the ball is about half way to the plate
• Achieve the stride to balance position early rather than late as poor timing leads to a poorly sequenced swing
• Hands can initiate the move to launch-scap load or small counter rotation just prior to/after the stride.
• Pitch recognition must happen in motion- this maybe the single most difficult skill to master
• Hitters should maintain two eye contact with the ball at all times
• Stride begins prior to release- the start time is determined individually based on the start method and complexity( dancing with the pitcher)
• Stride foot plant signals the end of linear movement-rotation begins as the heel is planting
• Maintain an athletic setup to position with the upper body tilting slightly
• Maintain posture throughout the process to allow for rotation in place 

The Swing

• Sequence- proximal to distal
• Using the proper sequence to turn potential energy into moving energy is a must
• The swing will begin as the hips begin to rotate into heel plant 
• Hips lead hands to contact, lower half leads upper half  
• Sequence is created as the lower half begins to rotate but the shoulders remain square and the hands remain at launch waiting to be fired by the elastic stretch and torque created by the disassociation between the lower and upper halves
• Kinetic chain
• Rotation is best when sequenced in place with posture and a stable head
• Allow the lower half to deliver the bat to and through the ball
• Keep hands close to the body for quicker rotation
• Maintain connection with the upper body
• Let the hands come along for the ride as the lower half delivers the upper half to and through the ball “ one palm up and one palm down”

Contact

• Maintain posture staying behind the ball
• Front knee snaps straight just before or at contact to help complete rotation
• Head remains stable controlling the body and also allowing the eyes to track the ball as long as possible
• Maintain athletic posture, avoid excessive bending
• Shoulder tilt to match pitch location is maintaining posture
• Top elbow remains bent close to 90 degrees
• “palm up-palm down”
• Contact is made close to the front foot depending on pitch location
• Back knee should automatically form an L-no need to think about it
• Hips remain close to level
• Top elbow will fall automatically to hitters side with upper half connection

The Finish

• Hit through contact and complete the swing
• Finish can be with one hand or two well after contact and is a personal style choice
• Allow the head to remain stable as long as possible
• Maintain centered body mass

Time it - Recognize it - Attack it