Hitting is actually one of the most difficult skills in all of sports and should be a major goal for every player. It takes being coachable and working hard to figure out what training tools and techniques work for every individual baseball player. All baseball hitters need the basic fundamentals, technique, and form to be successful.
Hitting coaches have a difficult job because no two hitters are completely alike. There are general instructions, but no set technique for all baseball hitters to follow because there is such a variety of styles and hitting approaches. A simple and even small change can often make a large difference in making contact with the ball. For example, one baseball hitter might need to shorten their stance while another needs to widen their stance. The Myosource Kinetic Bands can help that coach get the best physical performance out of his players so that he can concentrate on teaching the fundamentals of hitting. The lower body product will help with a hitters leg strength while the upper body can help with quicks hands, an intricate part of getting around on a fastball or saving a hitters at bat even if they are off balance on an off-speed pitch.
A baseball hitter's stance must always be balanced and comfortable to help prepare for any type of pitch thrown. In a stance, a baseball hitter’s weight should be shifted back, with the hands around the top of the strike zone and a little off of the shoulder. All hitters must know the adequate amount of distance to have from the plate and how deep to stand in the batter's box. Often, a player will stand deep in the box to give more time for swinging reaction, but standing farther up in the batter’s box can help a hitter make contact with a breaking pitch or change up. Hitters also have to decide whether the stance will be open, closed, or squared, with the feet parallel to home plate. Many batting coaches believe the square stance allows a hitter the best opportunity to make contact with the ball by striding and swinging in a timely manner.
A baseball hitter’s stride comes prior to the swing and is often performed when the weight is taken off of the back leg. Baseball hitters lose power when the weight is brought forward at the wrong time, making them unable to utilize the strength in the hip rotation for a powerful swing. Often times, a more experienced player will combine the stride and the swing, making it look simultaneous even though the foot is planted split seconds before the swing occurs.
After the hitter sets up the stance and performs the stride they are prepared to take a swing at the ball. During the swing, the hitter’s weight shifts from the back leg and the foot and knee rotates forward. The front foot stays put, the front leg remains strong, and the hips open as the hitter pivots the back foot, transferring power from the lower body to the upper body. It is important for the hands to be at the top of the strike zone and close to the body to prevent the hitter from swinging up or swinging too soon. After making contact with the ball, the hitter's wrists will roll all the way through and result in a hard hit.
